and resting in the final pre-race stage.4. Recovery phase (four to six weeks), with two weeks of complete rest, and then two to four weeks of gentle activity.—George Gandy, Director of Athletics at Loughborough University

Q I seem to have been quite a good runner from the start. In my first race I placed sixth; on the next couple I was pushing between second and third. Five years later I appear to be going backwards. I train very hard but I can’t seem to get better

all training in the final week before the triathlon – and also to have a relaxed week (at least) after it’s over. Good luck!—George Gandy, Director of Athletics at Loughborough University

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

Q I had a couple of years without racing, and then took up speedwork again 11 months ago. But even though I’m back up to 40-50 miles a week (from 15-25) and doing speed sessions (typically 6 x 1 mile with four-minute jog recoveries, or 16 x 400m