at 60 per cent. That's 140 (working heart rate) x 0.6 (60 per cent) = 84, added to your resting heart rate (60) = 144.) Sit down with the marathon schedules pace key and calculate your targets in one go, so you don't have to reach for the calculator

-gel at the start, another between 10K and 10 miles, a third carbo-gel between Miles 13 and 15 (I find this one the most useful) and a final one at about Mile 20. I keep myself topped up with energy drink too. Of course, no fuel strategy can make up for poor pacing

effort. Marathon pace, if you’re fit, should be easier than threshold but a touch quicker than your easy runs. Your effort should be around 7.5/10.Q. Most of the tips I've read recommend marathon pace + 10-20% for most sessions. A lot of my mileage

Q I have a problem that seems to affect me after finishing half-marathons: I feel queasy and don’t want to eat or drink. The feeling seems to pass if I lie down for an hour or so. As advised, I always try to take on water at each drinks station. Do your have any idea why this ha...

Q I was disappointed to get cramp at the 15-mile mark during a recent marathon. In the 48 hours before the race, I consumed plenty of carbohydrates and drank approximately four to five litres of water. During the race I drank plenty of water

Q This may sound silly, but I have real problems drinking during races. Usually I grab a cup, spill most of the contents as I’m picking it up, get one tiny slurp of water and then spill the rest down the front of my vest. Any tips to help me

session (after warming up and stretching). It only takes an extra 10-15 minutes to do the following exercises, and you will certainly feel the benefits. First, run 40-50 metres with a slightly exaggerated stride. Jog back, and repeat three more times. Next

the first 20 miles for the sport and the last 6.2 for yourself. There are very few experiences in our adult lives that compare to finishing a first marathon. Savour the last 10K. Wave to the crowds and thank the marshals. After all, you know this marathon

Q I’m a 33-year-old female, and after being collected by the ‘slow police’ after 19 miles in last year’s Berlin Marathon, I’m desperate to get my time down in this autumn’s race. I guess I should do speedwork but I don’t know what my targets should

. With a sub-3:00 target I started the race at 6:30 pace (to allow for a little slowing), which I maintained perfectly through 10 miles and the halfway point. Then people started to pass me, and by mile 19 I was running at 7:45 pace and still slowing. I