, but Maffetone notes that this is impractical for most runners. Minimalist shoes – usually called lightweight trainers, performance shoes or racing flats – have the added advantage of being lighter. "All shoe companies make good shoes," says Maffetone, "but it

. And most importantly, the average performance improvement by the subjects who tapered in these studies was three per cent. That could equate to as much as five to 10 minutes in a marathon. The review’s main conclusion was that, "The primary aim of the taper

increase injury risk," says Dr Evan Teplow, running injury specialist. He also advises running on soft surfaces and replacing your shoes every 500 miles. No guarantees, but lower odds of injury.Think Positive: "Good things come slow - especially

're feeling unmotivated, or you aren't sleeping that well. The cure-all is rest. Don't run for a day or two, and when you start up again, stick to easy runs until the bothersome signs disappear. Treat your feet Those beefy, well-cushioned shoes you wear