disillusioned.The key to running faster is running shorter. At the moment you’re probably running about six miles in each session. If you set out to run less, say just two miles or roughly 18 minutes, you’ll find that you actually increase your pace without even

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

speed session up to long race. Contact 01925 423000; www.newbalance.co.ukNike Air Zoom Elite – £80Weight 290gThe shoe In the past, Nike made some decent performance trainers, but never really challenged the favourites from Asics, Mizuno and New Balance

while you do and you can store 20 phone numbers!Nike Triax Speed – £60With huge digits and an angled face, the Triax Speed is incredibly easy to read on the run. Five countdown timers mean it’s a great tool for interval sessions. Another excellent touch

that Joe put together for me was bang on,” he says. “On the day of the race everything went perfectly. From the gun to the line I ran 3:13:45. I’m positive that it wouldn’t have gone as well without Joe’s advice.”The Partner - Rob WattsRunner for 11 years

from total time, lap time, HR or time of day.Contact: 0800 056 1640; www.nike.comReebok Precision Trainer £129.99Displays both HR in beats per minute and as a percentage of maximum HR.Press a single button while running and watch scans through maximum

Competition, it's a very stable racing shoe. It also provides plenty of cushioning, so over the marathon distance, moderate overpronators aiming to run anywhere from 2:30 to 3:00 should find enough support from the Supernova.Swap and Save If you usually race

and race at," says Gardener. "For instance I know that if I run a marathon at 145bpm, I won't be slowing down at the end or that 156 will result in a decent 10K." Julie-Anne Ryan is another runner who discovered that her running improved after she purchased

heart rate that you're aiming for (eg 60 per cent for an easy run would be 150 x 0.60 = 90), and add it to your resting heart rate: 90 + 56 = 146. The final figure is your working heart rate. Sample Sessions: 60% Recovery run - this will feel slow

. Everything became easier when I started running with other people in my office. I was running more regularly, I made progress more quickly because I was training with people who were better than me and it was more fun. Rob SpeddingYears Running 7Fast running