Are fast marathoners a breed apart, or can the rest of us be as fast if we work hard enough?"Are fast runners naturally fast, or can you teach yourself to be fast, through pure dedication and training? I'm a long way off a 3:15 marathon, but with a few years of hard training woul...

speedwork session, or come to a standstill at the end of a race, without a cool-down many times, and not been sore afterwards. However, I can't see that there is any positive physiological reason for actively avoiding a cool-down. I'll be interested to see

of December or thereabouts you'll be adding speedwork and 20+ mile runs."Some of you seem put off by the ballot itself. Too much chance of getting your hopes up, only to have them dashed by the cruel hand of chance. Sad runner explains: "If you have sent

of pushing yourself to your limits (and beyond) is a psychological element. If you've done a 30-miler in training, you know you needn't worry until well after that mark. However I wouldn't necessarily give up all speedwork, as it builds strength – and you

it will transform your running and racing. I now do one day of speedwork, one fast-paced 7-miler, one 10-20 miler and one other run. I felt I haven't been doing enough, but my running is getting better and better all the time. It might be useful to get someone to do

much speedwork. When you get older it's important to recover well from EVERY hard session. – drewIron out niggles with a sports massageThe way to stop a niggle becoming an injury in the first place is usually achieved (for me) through weekly