if RW readers could settle a hot debate in our club about speed work. Our head coach is suggesting a session for endurance athletes, as follows: Small warm up and stretch, then speed work (eg 2x5x100m), then straight into the car and drive home without a
generally get my athletes to run at least a mile before doing dynamic stretches, then running drills before each training session. For recovery runs you don't really need to do this, as the first part of the run should be nice and steady, but for harder
black coffee before training in the morning. Training on empty helps promote fat-burning metabolism to kick in – and minimises the need for a mid-session loo! – Slow-coachI can't leave the house before a long run/race (10 miles plus) without having my
on who you are. I think some runners waste their time having rest days. If your upper-body weights days leave you feeling buoyant, cheerful and ready to go the next morning, it probably works perfectly well as rest. Even I can manage a couple of sessions
you want to. – Plodding HippoVariety is the keyI started three years ago on treadmills, but it's nothing like running outside. Now I find a treadie hard to bear. Also try a combination of other things, like club track sessions for building speed
-week, so will my skinful do my marathon prep serious harm?"– Martin PaceYour best answersShouldn't be a problem, unless...The effects of a hefty binge-drinking session should be well out of your system a week later, and your marathon performance is only
on the back)? Why don't runners who feel the need to do this just run a training session faster...? I've never heard of an elite athlete saying that this type of weight training has contributed to their success. It's almost exclusively men that do it, so
devils are sitting on your shoulder around about mile 20 in the marathon, you have had plenty of practice with their injury cousins in denying them any satisfaction. 3. Dream. The first three years coming back from not walking I spent a lot of time
, and most normally lay on good training sessions. They will be able to explain what Brick training is – there's nothing worse than that feeling from bike to run when you are not expecting it or trained for it! – Darren PowellYou don't need pricey kit
or you will injure yourself. I gradually increased the miles on my toes and gradually decreased the "heel" miles; whole process took about 10 weeks. The morning walk down the stairs took longer than normal, but it felt great running at my new race pace
