Running is such a simple sport, we are always told. It's just a case of putting one foot in front of the other. That's true to an extent, but beneath the serene surface we present to the outside world, we all know there's a seething ocean of worry bubbling away. Over the 13 years...

Standfirst: What to do, what to takeAuthor:Pics:Issue date: May01 / xref Ultimate schedsKeywords:uan137-->Before race day, you should have Tried your shoes and kit on a long run Found out how to get to the start 90 minutes before the gun goes Made a pace plan and ideally written ...

This week, one RW member discovers the trouble with tootsies..."I recently changed my running shoes for a much roomier pair. However, two of my toes (next to the big toe on each foot) get numb each time I run, and the nails are getting blacker and blacker. I'm becoming rather sel...

If you’ve been training for weeks, you’ll want to make the last workout before your race count. Studies indicate the best way to prepare for a race is to reduce the volume of your running (mileage) while maintaining the intensity. These four track sessions do just that. They s...

Q. Whenever I race, I find that I feel sluggish during the first few miles. Can you give me some tips to speed me up during the all-important opening section of a race? A. The first thing you need to look at is your pre-race warm-up. If you don’t warm up and get yourself ...

Q In the last 18 months, I’ve run three marathons. As a result, though, my times have gone backwards for 10K and half-marathon. I thought that all the training I’ve been doing would make me faster – what am I doing wrong?A Firstly, you need to ask yourself whether you’ve fully ...

RacingYou've trained for months, so don't blow it: race smart"The strategy that applies to almost any race is to run with your head for the first two-thirds of the race and with your heart for the final third," says coach Jack Daniels. Running with your head means not going out t...

The only thing runners fear more than rabid dogs and toilet emergencies is getting hurt. An injury means taking a break, and runners hate the thought of losing fitness, gaining weight or missing an endorphin fix. But what if you knew what injuries you were likely to face – before...

Chasing an autumn marathon PB? Make your next race a 13.1-miler. "Doing a shorter race three or four weeks beforehand is very sensible – most experienced runners would run at least one or two as part of their build-up," says endurance coach Nick Anderson, (fullpotential.co.uk.) T...

The only thing runners fear more than rabid dogs and toilet emergencies is getting hurt. An injury means taking a break, and runners hate the thought of losing fitness, gaining weight or missing an endorphin fix. But what if you knew what injuries you were likely to face – before...