choice. Wallow in self-pity, lose your aerobic base, put on weight and make yourself and everyone around you miserable – or get a life. Here's the plan...1. No whining If you love to run, there's no denying that injury downtime can be a

of inactive mums. Those who burned 2000 calories per week delivered babies weighing 10 per cent more.20. Women who run alone should take precautions. Leave a note at home stating when you left, where you’ll be running and when you expect to return. Carry a

comfortable. However, the soft, thin fabric meant it felt more bouncy than other bras on test, though it wicked well and dried quickly after a run.Cost £30Contact www.1000mile.co.uk; 01923 242 233Royce Impact Free bra, sizes 30-38, D-J, black/whiteOf the more

, just like the finger-nail ones. They looked great all summer. See full threadBuy bigger shoesSuz - My second toenail is purple and about to fall off from my last pair of running shoes! I have just bought new shoes 1/2 size bigger and have had

inspired the trend in 1954 with epic sessions like 10 x 200 metres followed by 50 x 400 metres – a combined 13.67 miles of speedwork. Ambitious runners the world over have aspired to that imposing standard ever since, in a quest for that elusive PB

, but only marginally. It took me 12 years to learn that speedwork was the way to do it."Dave Webber, 46. Years running: 15Buy the right stuff "Shamefully, I used to run in tennis shoes. Then a running friend suggested I try running shoes, and the difference

or runners using heart rate training to lose weight. It's also ideal for people who are simply curious about training using heart rate.Contact 02392 257388; www.cardiosport.comSplash out on the…Polar S610IPrice £180What is it? One of the best top

, while capital-based runners can also test their times in the Self Transcendence series in Battersea Park. 10K opportunities also abound, and those inspired by the Flora London Marathon can tread city streets in the Bupa London 10,000 and the Bupa Great

and Olympic 10,000m bronze medallist, describes a race he first ran in 1973, when he finished second to the American Frank Shorter.“You go across some fields, then alongside the smelliest river you have ever known in your life, jumping over holes in the canal

.Proof positivePositive thinking is the most straightforward way to achieve running longevity. A study at Yale University showed that having an optimistic outlook could extend a person's life by 7 1/2 years. Lower blood pressure and cholesterol were also noted