to get the balance right between them. These training schedules – for people aiming for the Olympic distance race – do just that. These schedules run for 8-12 weeks, depending on your ability. Beginners – This programme is very simple and progressive

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with 10 minutes of very easy running and walking. Stretch gently for a few minutes and mix in four or five 100m strides (at 90 per cent of maximum speed) to get you ready for the upcoming effort. To keep your heart rate up, move around or jog on the spot

."NUTRITIONPass on the extra carbsBread, bagels, pasta, potatoes and pancakes - you just can't get enough, right? Wrong, says sports nutritionist Nancy Clark, author of Nancy Clark's Food Guide for New Runners (£12.95, Meyer & Meyer Sport). Running two or three miles

At the last count, 132,000 runners had posted 1.6 million messages between them on the Runner's World forum. That's a ton of useful tips!Our readers already helped us pick out some of the best threads (or 'conversations'). Now we've gone a step