See a rain cloud approaching as you prepare for a run, and you're faced with a dilemma - do you pull on a rain-jacket or take a chance you'll escape the downpour and opt for a T-shirt? Of course, thanks to our unpredictable climate, the chances

If uncomfortable experience has convinced you that damp, cold feet and sopping wet shoes are part and parcel of winter running in the UK then there's a good chance that you've been tempted to try one of the many new shoes designed to keep

Scrabbling around in the cupboard under the bathroom sink for something to treat a minor running injury is a common occurrence chez Spedding. Sadly, I’ve yet to find a muscle pull or joint twist that responds well to applications of Bonjela or six

, basically, winter is cold. Don’t let that put you off. Pull on one of the base layers tested here, and you’ll barely notice the chill in the air. We generate a lot of heat when we run – about the same wattage as a one-bar electric fire – no matter what

.runnersworld.co.uk forum about something called base training' and thought I'd give it a go."Building an endurance base by slowly adding mileage to steady runs is a tried and tested technique, but base training using a heart-rate monitor (HRM) is an idea conceived

to run unencumbered by chest straps and don’t want to know the distance of your long run to the nearest inch there are still plenty of timepieces to choose from. Here’s a selection of the best.Oakley D3 – £100Better known for its shades, Oakley also

, running apparel hit the shelves of a leading supermarket, as well as an effective injury treatment sourced from a flightless bird. Here, then, is a purely subjective list of our favourite running products of 2003.Shoe Of The Year… Reebok Premier Road – £55

to an average of 83 and a maximum of 111 - the two-for-one sausages offer was pretty exciting. "I'm amazed by your shopping heart rates," says Dunbar. "I'd expect them to be higher, you must enjoy it more than most people."—Rob SpeddingAs well as keeping you

water will be warmed in the woolly fibres.Best for Wet and cold winter trail and fell runs. A great sock for cross-country runners.Contact 01625 582130; www.runningbear.co.ukSplash out on the…X-Sock Sky RunPrice £10 per pairWhat is it? Probably one

3.5g; Fibre n/a.Main Ingredients Rice syrup, cocoa, glycerine, rice flour, wheat starch, soy protein, honey.Tasty? Quite chewy, with an artificial, slightly chalky texture. Designed to be eaten before you run, which is good as it'd be tough