Q I’ve developed a recurring blister between my big toe and the one next to it. I’ve tried taping up the area and also using petroleum jelly, all to no avail. It’s now making me miss training.A As you’ve discovered, petroleum jelly is not durable enough to overcome the mechanic...

Q I’m a 53-year-old male who races all distances from 5K to the marathon. I train six days a week: four hard sessions, two easy ones, plus a rest day. Do you think this is too much for someone of my age?A The real key to making any training programme successful is to get the rig...

in the 30-60 minutes before training to ensure that you’re properly hydrated before you start. Once you’re running, sip 150-200ml every 15 minutes. If you’re still thirsty afterwards, or failed to drink during the session, another 400-800ml may be required

Q I recently started training more heavily for some upcoming 5Ks and 10Ks. I run six days a week, including speedwork. I’m a fit 24-year-old, but I’ve noticed my sex drive flagging. Could my running be causing this?A There certainly can be a

Q After suffering from some internal bleeding, I underwent a series of medical tests. These showed that all my baseline bio-readings were normal, but that my liver is larger than average, which my doctors suggest could be the cause of the bleeding. I know distance runners develo...

Q Following a partial tear in my Achilles tendon, the scar tissue thickened, resulting in stiffness, aches and swelling. I am due to have an operation to remove this scar tissue, which means that my leg will be immobilised for two weeks. I’m told that, with physiotherapy, I shou...

Q I have a lump at the back of my knee which is always there, but it seems to get bigger after each run. It doesn’t cause me any pain and doesn’t hinder my running in any way, but should I be worried?A It sounds to me as if you have a Baker’s cyst – a herniation of the synovia...

and another surface, whether it be socks, shoes or a combination of both. To solve blistering problems you need to look at the following. 1) Do your shoes fit correctly – are they wide enough, deep enough and long enough to accommodate your feet? 2) Are you

Q I’ve bought some new shoes which give me blisters on the inside of the arches on both feet. My previous shoes were fine, and the new pair are designed to offer excellent foot support. So have I just chosen the wrong ones? I’m 12.5st and I run

Q Can you explain why I seem to suffer from pins and needles in my left foot when I’m out for run? It can strike at any time, and if I continue running my whole foot goes numb. But as soon as I stop, the problem disappears.A Pins and needles, or parasthesia, has a variety of ca...