Running addicts can be hard to take, but being laissez-faire isn't ideal, either. "Competition motivates you, but you need to focus on your own performance, not on how others do," says performance counsellor Shaunna Taylor of the Association

, consider including some new details.Beyond reason "When you log your training, it's always worth having a motivational reminder on each page to tell you why you are putting in the effort," says Smythe. This might be anything from "marathon in September

the physical battle – he remembers the 5:30-minute mile pace he used to do, so racing at 7-minute miles sticks in his throat. But believe in yourself and look forward, not back. Enjoy and celebrate every success, however small. – Ann Williams There could be a

on training runs and recent races. You also focus on mindset, pacing, fuelling and nutrition.Outcome-focused: Your confidence as a runner is based on race times. You're driven by how people will view your achievements.Process-focused: Your confidence is based

at a local park, I was so proud of myself. I have been running ever since.”6. Sign up for a race “There is always something very special about taking part in and finishing a race, whatever the distance. You will be surprised how motivating it is to have

Monday45-minute road run. Pace set according to how Agyei feelsTuesdayAM Easy 35-minute jog PM Track session: 10 x 200m, 4 x 400m faster than 800m paceWednesdayOne-hour steady road runThursday AM Easy 35-minute jog morningPM Track session at 1500m pace eg

the rights foods, I’ll never be the same again.”AlexNew PB: 2:53. Previous best: 3:06“I don’t think the race could have gone any better really. I paced it well, I ran my target and I was strong at the end. This is my seventh marathon and in every single

, 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

healthier sex drives.It'll help you pace yourselfHeavy breathing, lots of sweat, a final desperate surge to the finish… Racing and love-making can be pretty similar, and if you ever find yourself coming to a climax too quickly, then applying race technique

How did your race preparations go? Did you reduce training (volume and intensity) adequately before races? Were there any aspects of your race performance that need improvement? How was your pacing and level of effort throughout each discipline?Was your