This week's question comes from a club runner whose coach thinks that cooling down defeats the object of speed work. Our correspondent isn't so sure. Let's just say that you knew where you stood on this one, and it wasn't with the coach..."I wonder
-twitch muscle fibres will not in themselves make someone a fast runner. The one thing that is consistently proven to improve fitness (and speed) is training. Generally the more you train the better you get. Less is NOT more! Don't get worked up about what your
going – forget pace and speed. Once you can run 3 miles, build one run up to 4 miles running all the way... once you start getting your head to see you're not going to walk you'll soon get results. – EgglettSlowing down can work as a breakIt took me a
running with some outdoor runs. For me, this provides a similar benefit to using free weights, in that your musculature is constantly challenged in lots of ways by undulating surfaces, wind resistance etc. Think more about time than speed. Get 30 mins
for the whole body and the whole of life, while fairly obviously the Triathlon book focuses on getting most speed from least energy. – More Haste, Less SpeedAnother vote for ChiRunningI used to heel strike and was very injury prone. Last year I started working
-proof. The running involved a couple of fast but short (up to seven-mile) runs per week, a hill session running up really slowly and down really fast, and a long run with a backpack, including short frequent walk breaks. It worked. – RespectTheStupidityI think speed
days a week. Once your body is happy with that, introduce some speed work, efforts or hills. Whatever you choose, build it up slowly and listen to your body. – FlavsA few light jogs in the first week will help ease the stiffness out. Your legs
as you get older. Comparing notes with some V60s a few weeks back, most of us found that running a flat-out 10 mile or half marathon can take up to two weeks' recovery before any hard speed work. – Johnny JNote every niggle and work on preventionI suppose
a full year after each to get my top speed back. Wear a good bra, especially if you're breastfeeding. Oh, and always a good idea to feed before you run. – kittenkatBookmark the pregnant runners' threadI'm expecting a baby in three months, and still
copy of RUNNER’S WORLD on his bedside table, predict that his fitness will speed his recovery."The doctors said he’ll be perfectly OK on his own without the ventilator later today," said Liz. "The original plan was three weeks in hospital, three weeks
