Keith Fitzpatrick was very active when I first started seeing him at my sports nutrition clinic. He ran 25 miles a week, played rugby and lifted weights regularly. In the previous three years, Keith had lost almost three-and-a-half stone on his own.But he still wasn’t where h...

The Edinburgh Marathon, a new entry at 22To help you choose which events to enter in 2004, we once again bring the RUNNER’S WORLD Top 100 UK Races of the Year. It’s based on the experiences of the RUNNER’S WORLD team, our UK-wide network of correspondents and, of course, the feed...

GETTY IMAGES With so much to think about before your first marathon – what to wear, when to eat and how to pace yourself for starters – it’s no wonder your anxiety levels can soar during the build-up to race-day. Who ca...

This week’s questioner has finally decided to kick the weed in order to improve her running times. Trouble is, she’s worried the cravings will get the better of her and she’ll lapse back into old habits. What’s your advice to help keep her motivated and nicotine-free for good?"I'...

So long as you’re well organised, come marathon day you’ll have nothing to worry about except the few miles of Tarmac linking the start to the finish. Here’s the seven-day countdown that no runner should be without – plus the tried-and-tested route to a fast recovery. (Some of th...

This week's problem may sound extreme, but it's one that many enthusiastic runners or marathon trainees can relate to. In short, how much training is too much? And when you feel you're overdoing it, do you really have to stop completely for a bit, or is it OK just to cut back the...

Is giving up caffeine really worth the pain? Plenty of you responded to my question, even though last week saw me struck down by a brain malfunction that meant Reader to Reader included a link to the wrong forum thread. That's what coffee withdrawal does to your head..."I'm now h...

Standfirst: 10 first-time running goals – and how to achieve themAuthor: Issue date: aug98Keywords: --> 1. How to... Buy your first running shoeWith more than 150 different specialist running shoes to choose from, finding the right model can be a daunting task. Don’t worry ...

For some runners, the road to success is long, bumpy and choked with traffic. Others appear to find an easier, alternative route; they just cruise along. Is it sheer luck, or do these runners have a secret road map? To find out, we contacted dozens of real-life runners – from Ru...

"Stop fighting it!"That's what a fellow runner yelled at me years ago in the middle of a very windy out-and-back marathon. "Don't fight the wind," he said. "Wait until the turnaround, then pick up the pace when the wind is at your back."The sheer simplicity of that tip! And despi...