-long dash downhill well and truly behind and your legs washed clean by a ford crossing at Jarvis Brook, the chances are that you may want to revise your dreams of a fast time.After all what, er, goes down, must go up. A hill in any race has to be treated

bubbling away. Over the 13 years that Runner's World has been published in the UK, we reckon we've probably tried to answer all the questions it's possible to ask on our pet subject; from the straightforward - "What should I eat before racing

and infection after the race. You may also be feeling disorientated – or even depressed – in the come-down after achieving such a significant running goal.Unfortunately, there’s no formula for calculating how long your body will take to recover – this will vary

You've heard the usual recommendations for so long that you accept them as gospel. And most of the advice is solid. Who can argue with putting in mileage, peaking for races and stretching after a run? But just because many coaches, sports

first running efforts with flying colours.If you're a Runner's World UK magazine subscriber, you can see all 15 lessons here. Otherwise, enjoy these five as a preview - and if you want to subscribe, you can save 30% right here.1 Welcome to the start line

-marathon taper guide (non-subscriber preview) for advice on adapting your schedule, tweaking your diet and boosting your mental strength before the race.ASICS Half-Marathon Training This year's half-marathon and live web chats were kindly supported by ASICS

race. "Consistency and knowing what works for you is key," he says.BAD HABIT: You never stretch It’s hard to squeeze in runs some days, never mind stretching. But tight muscles can contribute to shin splints, plantar fasciitis and muscle pulls, which

Short and snappy, 5K races are the perfect distance for beginners targeting a first race – but an equally satisfying summer target for a speed-demon with more racing experience. This is the destination for all things 5K – all the schedules, guides

© Getty Images The two Olympic marathons held last August in Beijing were literally races for the ages. Kenya's Samuel Wanjiru, then 21, broke more than an Olympic record with his 2:06:32 win; he crushed long-held conventional

It's an all too common story: runner sets achievable goals; runner puts in the necessary physical training to meet goals; runner falls short on race day. So, what's the problem? Could it be that you're spending too much time becoming a stronger