"How soon should I run after I've had a cold? I've always been sporty, but I've only been running seriously for a few months. In the past when I've had colds and coughs, I've often gone back to sport as soon as I've been able to breathe properly again, but I've heard that you sho...

This week, one reader wants to know why some runners like to put their back(pack)s into it..."Is it silly to train with a weighted rucksack strapped to your back? Surely it's safer to have a weight strapped around the stomach (less pressure on the back)? Why don't runners who fee...

This week, one reader emailed us with a very practical problem. Just how do you work out how far you've run?"What is the easiest and most effective way to measure the distances you're running? I've tried pedometers, bike computers and route-finder websites, but don't feel they ha...

A very practical problem this week: specs, running and rain don't mix. How do you get around the problem?"I'm short-sighted enough to not be able to get around without wearing my glasses, let alone run without them. I'd rather not spend a fortune on contact lenses. How do other r...

You're in pretty good shape and do plenty of strength work at the gym, but you get puffed out climbing the stairs. Will running help you ramp up your stamina? What the best way to go about it?"Can anyone give me some tips for building stamina? I'm a total beginner. I'm looking to...

This week's questioner was advised by a friend and a coach to alter her running style. But can your running style really be changed – and should you try?"Running with a friend the other day, he pointed out that I should alter my running style; try to cultivate that nice mid-foot ...

This week, one RW member is about to become a new dad. Great news – but how will parenthood affect his running?"I'm about to become a first-time dad in a month, and wondered how other new parents found it affected their running. Obviously time will be more limited, and sleepless ...

This week: Do you really benefit from warming up before a run – and if so, how hard and how far should you go?"How far, or for how long, are you supposed to warm up before a race? The more I warm up the better I seem to perform. I ran a 5.4-mile road race about eight weeks ago, b...

This week, one RW member wants YOUR advice on how to get to sleep after an evening run..."I have to do my weekday and some weekend runs in the evening (7-8 o'clock-ish). The nights after my runs I don't sleep very well. I've stopped using recovery drinks because I thought they we...

This week's problem is one that many runners will recognise: How do you cope with being a "beginner" again after injury?"I used to be a half-decent runner. I've run seven marathons with a PB of 3:36, and loads of half marathons and 10Ks. Then in January, I had a car accident and ...