Q Im training for the Flora London Marathon and as well as following the RW schedules, Im cross-training with weights. For legs, does lifting count as a heavy day, an easy day, or something completely different? I keep the weight relatively low and the reps high, but Im worri...
Q I do my long runs and races with a water bottle that fits around my hand. Is it true that long-term use of these can affect gait and cause injury?A You are right to be cautious about the use of a water bottle that fits around the hand. There’s no research evidence to link their...
Q I love running but two years ago my motivation started to slip and I was diagnosed with clinical depression. I am recovering well, and would like to start running again. My therapist says the same amount of activity every day will help stabilise my mood. As I shouldn’t run ever...
Q I regularly run hill reps at 85 per cent of my maximum heart rate (MHR) but when I’m halfway through the session, I feel like giving up. What should I concentrate on to get me through the repetitions? A Training in the 85 per cent MHR zone threshold pace is very demanding, ...
Q I assumed I could drink less when running in the autumn, but my urine is dark yellow, which I know means I’m dehydrated. Are there any guidelines for staying hydrated in cooler weather? A Exercising in cold conditions can blunt your thirst, increase your urine output (cold-indu...
Q I feel nauseous every time I do speedwork. I have even been sick a couple of times. Am I pushing my body too hard or is this just an aspect of speedwork I need to become used to?A Nausea during high intensity training is a common problem for runners. Some people are more suscep...
Q I’m 44 years old and have been running for 20 years. I stretch my calves and hamstrings before I run but have recently suffered a calf strain after a few miles. How can I avoid this and how should these injuries be treated when they occur?A From our 30s both the muscle tissue a...
Q In 40 years I’ve never had a problem with hay fever but I now find that midday running during the summer months makes my eyes and nose stream. I don’t have these problems in the winter. Is there anything I can take to stop it? A The best time to run outside coincides with the p...
Q. I'm a fairly experienced swimmer but I've never used training aids such as hand paddles and don't really know where to start. What would you recommend?A. Swim training with paddles is a great way to develop upper- body strength, perfect your stroke and add diversity to your sw...
Q. Is it worth investing in an aero drinks bottle for my bike, and why, and are there any other 'quick wins' when trying to reduce drag?A. Aero bottles have become increasingly popular as aerodynamics has become of greater importance to triathletes. Whether you need one (or any o...
