excellent cross-training for running, but to run a half-marathon well you also have to get used to spending a long time on your feet. I suggest that you use the days when you run to get in as many miles as possible – maybe a 15-16 mile run on the Sunday, a

running over 400-1000m stretches, but your long runs should be really slow. The crucial question is how long you can train hard without taking a rest. A lot of our top marathon runners cover 100 miles a week for most of the year, but the elite cannot

course; Friday – rest; Saturday – speed session as above.When you come to the marathon training, follow the RUNNER’S WORLD Get-You-Round programme, with the emphasis on a long run every weekend.—Bruce Tulloh, RW Coaching Editor

Q I took up running a year ago and was really pleased to quickly notch up PBs of 36:57 for 10K and 1:21 for the half-marathon. I then set my sights on the marathon and built up to a peak of 80 miles a week, with five good long runs under my belt

session, I suggest you start with a one kilometre warm up. Then run 3 x 1K at your 10K race pace, with two or three minutes of jogging after each. Finish the session with a one kilometre warm-down. As you get better, try to build up to 6 x 1K

Q After running a sub-3:00 marathon in my mid-30s, I spent the next 17 years running only occasionally. But last year, to celebrate my 50th, I returned to serious training for the Flora London Marathon. I finished in 3:28, and this has got me

miles and half-marathons in the autumn. After that, you can start training for your second marathon.—Bruce Tulloh, endurance coach and organiser of the Safari Marathon

, swimming one hour a week, and spending 30-40 minutes per week on gym work.For the running, try to do one session a week of speedwork, with things like 10 x 1 minute fast, two minutes slow (or 12 x 200m fast, 200m jog if you’re on the track). This should

minutes at 20K and another five minutes to the finish – so your aim for the first one should be to break 1:45. And yes, it is a good idea to run an intermediate distance first – a 10-mile run if possible – so that you can get used to the slightly slower

, the marathon seems nothing. However, you have to respect your body and allow it to get used to the idea gradually. Best of luck!—Bruce Tulloh, who took just 65 days to run across the USA in 1969