"I'm out of shape, overweight and I've never run before."Just like the millions of couch-potatoes-turned-runners before you. "Beginners all say, 'This seems crazy. Can I do it?'" says Bob Glover, co-author of The Runner's Handbook (£9.99, Penguin

It's a twee Valentine's card marketing slogan, but the saying 'Listen to your heart' is also useful advice for runners. Here are some Q&As explaining why.What does my heart rate tell me?With each beat, the heart pumps blood-borne oxygen molecules

.Change is goodIf the injury is not severe enough to stop you running or cycling, now's the time to modify your training. By taking the following steps, there's a good chance your injury will improve within a week or two, so you can gradually start to increase

So you want to start running? You've heard it's inexpensive, great for your health, the best way to lose weight (and keep it off). You've got friends who run, and they're trim, happy, centred and productive.Running also looks like a straightforward

between the two. Marathon running is six per cent slower than threshold pace, so there’s little chance that lactate levels will rocket, but your half-marathon speed is only two per cent below the threshold velocity.Since anything above threshold speed

With one week left until my running leg of the Hyde Park Triathlon, I visited Bupa's London branch for a fitness assessment. The aim? To find out if I've got the potential to run a sub 20-minute 5K at my current level of fitness and if not, then how

Running by numbersWeight loss is a game of maths – and a very simple game at that. In order to lose weight you need to create a calorie deficit; that is, you have to expend more energy than you consume. There are two routes to this goal – cutting

Most triathletes come from a running or biking background, so it's no surprise that the swim is usually the part of the race triathletes like least. Pool swimming generally poses few problems but taking to the open water is another matter

little time for preparing a decent meal.Sometimes you just need to grab something quickly and that's where the trouble can begin. We asked Dr Kevin Currell, Performance Nutritionist for British Triathlon, for advice on 10 high-street takeaway options

sore foot.It's not fully healed, but it's giving me a lot less grief than when I first did the injury.I'll do another 18 mile run this weekend then - and then reduce over the next few weeks.Thanks for your advice!On the next page: Choosing a race target