Q I’ve never seen a convincing answer to the question “can bike sessions replace running and still make you a better runner?” For instance, will I be a better runner if I replace a six-mile fartlek with a 50-minute bike speed session, and an easy

this into this fartlek session this week:(2 mins easy, 30 secs hard, 1 min 30 secs easy,  30 sec hard) x 10. Cool down (10 mins)…where the 'hard' is 6:26 min-mile pace. The second area is my posture. I'm an incredibly inefficient runner, which I think is largely down

to truly know your VO2 max is to run while breathing into a tube. But to save you getting funny looks on the street, here's an estimate based on 5K times:5K VO2 Max15:00 7017:00 6020:00 5025:00 40Reach your maxRotate VVO2max workouts into your speed

.Hill Intervals This is the most basic and yet one of the most beneficial of sessions. Warm up with a 10- to 15-minute run and then do a set of intervals on a steep slope – it can be anywhere from 30 to 250 metres long. On the uphill section try to run

, but your new training paces might come as a surprise too. Before you get started, work out the right benchmarks to work towards by finding your maximum heart rate. If you're a complete beginner, start off with this very approximate formula: 214 - (0.8 x

-minute runs followed by three-minute recoveries.Pace B is your 5K pace, about three seconds a lap (10-15 seconds a mile) faster than Pace A. Recovery time should equal running time.Pace C is your mile or 1500m pace, about three seconds a lap faster than Pace B

option does assume you’re already running a minimum of three times and 16-20 miles a week, so if you’ve never run before but you’re committed to running a 10K in four weeks’ time you’d be best to simply focus on building up the length of your runs rather

, you obviously need to use the track for your speed sessions. Substitute a pyramid session (800-1000-1200-1000-800m) at 10K pace or faster for the routine on Day 2. Your PBs await...

Long run Do a five-mile warm-up, the 6.2-mile race at marathon pace and finish with four slow miles, for 15 in totalWeek 2Run your usual mileage with a moderate interval workout midweek (1 mile-1200m-800m-400m step-down) and do a two-day taper

for the tiny-fingered. Pros Big digits; good looking; great valueCons Small buttons; cloth strap ContactsAdidas; 0161-419 2500Nike; 0800-056 1640Polar; 01926 310 330Timex; 020 8326 6900