Q At my best I am your average physical wreck of a 40-year-old, looking to get fit. I’ve quit smoking, and I want to reach a level of fitness higher than I’ve had at any age. So I’ve started running to lose some weight. I’m finding it hard, I only
.Rather than having a set number of hard sessions every week, I would recommend anyone to phase them in gradually. Thus, in the first phase (a few weeks) of a training programme, just concentrate on easy and steady running and gradually increase your mileage
Q I recently started training more heavily for some upcoming 5Ks and 10Ks. I run six days a week, including speedwork. Im a fit 24-year-old, but Ive noticed my sex drive flagging. Could my running be causing this?A There certainly can be a
Q Ive been suffering from a very sore Achilles tendon and hamstring problems in my left leg for nearly a year. I can still run on it, but at the end of the day I cant wait to jump in a warm bath because of the pain. Oddly, it gets worse if I stand
that, with physiotherapy, I should be running again in six months. But will I be able to regain my full fitness, and what are the chances of the injury returning?A Yes, it will be possible to return to the level you were at prior to the operation
Q I have a lump at the back of my knee which is always there, but it seems to get bigger after each run. It doesnt cause me any pain and doesnt hinder my running in any way, but should I be worried?A It sounds to me as if you have a Baker
Q Ive been running for five years with very few injuries, but recently Ive been experiencing pain in both shins. The pain is on the inside of my legs, just off-centre. I tried resting for three weeks as suggested by my GP, but the problem
Q Im planning to run a marathon, but Im also trying, unsuccessfully, to lose weight. When I run, my appetite increases, and I find that I eat more and put on weight rather than lose it. What can you suggest?A Perhaps surprisingly, losing body
Q I’ve heard that running can improve asthma, but I suffer from exercise-induced asthma, especially after pushing myself. Will it improve with regular training? A Asthma is a tightening of the small breathing tubes in the lungs. The tubes
Q I have an identity crisis. As a keen runner for the last 20 years, I have recently retired, but now I just cannot find the motivation to train properly. I climb into my car rather than my running gear. When I do go out for a run, any uphill
