’t have to run every day; every week or even every month. Many top runners visualise their training year as a mountain range. It has peaks and valleys. The valleys are recovery periods when they let their running taper off, so that they can build all

badge of honour, regarded warming up and stretching with deep suspicion and felt that mid-race drinking would only slow me down. There was little plan or structure to any of my running, and racing never failed to disappoint.Now, though, I would regard

to be tough. My guts were churning, but I put it down to nerves. My plan was to run nine minutes and walk one, which I did for the first five miles and then I started feeling sick. I slowed to a walk, kept going and drinking Lucozade. The miles didn’t exactly

using Body Fuel in the lead up to her runs, carbo gels during her sessions and recovery powder immediately after. For her most recent LSR she took two gels and felt really good. Other forumites have also been discussing the use of gels, with mixed

everything else as if it's race day. Run at the same time of day and on similar terrain – even on the course itself if that's practical. Wear the running shoes and kit you plan to race in and mimic the eating and drinking plan that you aim to follow before

suffered in the heat. I’d covered myself in sun cream but found myself taking on water at nearly every drinks station to try and stay hydrated. I was even pouring water on my wrists and thighs (as Liz had suggested) to try and cool down too. I really backed

the thread For the week ending 15 June 2009Hot to trot...Runner Rivalry When you spot another runner ahead of you on a run, do you get the urge to overtake them even if they’re faster than you? Schmoo74 I find that chaps are (generally) more competitive

at my running club. I slack off when I'm on my own. d)How far is 5K again?You usually run after work, but your new boss asks if you want to go out for a drink. Do you go? a)If it's a planned recovery day, maybe. On the day of an important session, never

much I should drink with the risk it would make me run slower.It was really congested at the start and I got quite cross with people in front of me. At around Mile 10, I was only about a minute down on marathon pace which was fine – I was planning

Hard Training Q&AsTRAINING GENERAL• Do I need to take an "easy week" when my average mileage isn’t that high? • Should you try and break through ‘the wall’ in training? • Is it just the cold weather, or am I getting fitter? • How do I overcome