P20 Once A Day (£18.45 for 200ml from chemistdirect.co.uk). If you have fair skin or a family history of melanoma, consider sun protective clothing and avoid midday runs. You should also have a coffee before you go, advise dermatologists from

P20 Once A Day (£18.45 for 200ml from chemistdirect.co.uk). If you have fair skin or a family history of melanoma, consider sun protective clothing and avoid midday runs. You should also have a coffee before you go, advise dermatologists from

and maintain a reasonable pace, you still only have about 2,000 calories worth of glycogen stored in your muscles – enough to get most runners to about mile 18 or 20," he says. "As glycogen reserves are used up and fatty acid metabolism increases, your heart

The Workout On road or the track, run a fast 1km interval at 10K pace, rest for 90 seconds, then run a 2km interval at half-marathon pace. Rest for 90 seconds, and repeat the set twice. "This is a hard session, but is excellent for speed endurance," says

of Running Well (£14.99, amazon.co.uk). "Working backwards from your goal, incorporating all the other stuff in life you have to fit around your training – from kids to work – will help you identify what is realistic in your specific time frame." Get it down

Colgan. Elite Secret # 2: Get LooseElite runners take their warm-up seriously. "You need to spend at least 20 to 30 minutes warming up, jogging two to three miles interspersed with dynamic strides and drills," says Richard Holt, elite coach at momentumsports

pressure should be at/or lower than 120/80; HDL (good) cholesterol above 50; LDL (bad) cholesterol lower than 100; triglycerides lower than 150; and blood glucose level lower than 100. Get a check-up (blood test, blood pressure check and a sounding of your

, and associating to actually focus on the feeling," says Lewis. To associate, start from the head and work down, assessing each area or group of muscles. "Keep your pace in line with the information you gain from your body monitoring, from heart rate to basic

, and associating to actually focus on the feeling," says Lewis. To associate, start from the head and work down, assessing each area or group of muscles. "Keep your pace in line with the information you gain from your body monitoring, from heart rate to basic

-gone. With hundreds of clubs catering for the multifarious runners up and down the country, there's literally something for everyone, from beginner fun-runners to serious pace-setters. Indeed, it's possible to join a running club without ever racing, without being