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

For motivation on the run, few things come close to your favourite songs. If you want to push yourself to the limit during a speed session or just need something to take your mind off the fact you've another 20 miles to go, then grab an MP3 player

Getty ImagesThe conundrum: push yourself too hard and run yourself into the ground. Don’t push yourself hard enough and never improve. The answer: start listening to your heart, not your head, by using a heart rate monitor (HRM). What does a HRM do

Wool is enjoying a renaissance. It’s happening in your socks. This won’t be a surprise to those of you who do the majority of your running in perennially wet, outdoor areas, because wool blend socks have been the winter hosiery of choice in the fell

There are some pieces of running kit you simply wouldn’t dream of doing without. Shoes specifically designed for your particular foot type, technical T-shirts that keep you dry on even the hottest days, or a stopwatch that also tells you how hard

’ve enlisted the advice of some top kit experts to give you the definitive answer to your queries in our Q+A guide to keeping your gear running.SHOESQ: How can I tell when it’s time to replace my shoes?A: It’s tough – your favourite pair of shoes might feel

, 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

run and the parking brake when you stop – all good strollers have them.Consider taking a puncture-repair kit and a small pump on long runs.Two useful extras you can fit yourself: a bell to let people know that you’re approaching, and a bike water

are as fanatical about your running as you are, you won’t be able to find anyone willing to provide you with liquid at convenient points on your long training runs. Instead, you’ll have to bottle and carry your drinks yourself. Here are three useful beverage

of it's weaknesses, the RS800SD is a serious bit of kit that will definitely help your training. You can keep it simple and just use a basic mode to record your run data. Or if you are prepared to put in the effort, create customised heart rate training