and music, and fields of up to 10,000 runners. Still, there are advantages in going small, too: youll probably find that a low-key event is easier in terms of travel and getting to the start, for instance.Races are usually advertised in local sports centres
of caffeine drinkers, who downed 1.4mg of caffeine per pound of body weight (a 355ml coffee for a 68kg person), had a 1.2 per cent improvement in an 8K race. To read the full article (including a breakdown of how much caffeine could be in your favourite hot
's no evidence that it clears lactic acid or helps prevent soreness.Rule Two: Drink before you're thirsty.The Whole Truth: Drink up, but don't drown yourself. Nothing But The Truth: A little dehydration doesn't hurt performance or put you at risk of heat stress
– the result of poor judgement, overenthusiasm or simple stupidity. So arm yourself in advance: here are the 10 most common routes to injury – and, more importantly, how to avoid them.1. Wearing new shoes on race dayThis is tempting, because new running shoes
appropriately, which means 150-350ml of fluid – preferably a carbohydrate drink – for every 15-20 minutes of running. To do this, take your favourite drink on the run, or stash it along your route. And sniff out all the available water along the way – and use it
energised. ‘Informal exercise’ – raking leaves, walking at every opportunity and taking the stairs instead of the lift – will also help. Personal trainer Luke Cunliffe advises his clients to take at least 10,000 steps (roughly five miles) in the course
the perfect isotonic drink, mix 500ml of fruit juice with 500ml of water and 0.5g (one eighth of a teaspoon) of salt, or 200ml of squash (organic or without artificial sweeteners and additives) with 800ml of water and 0.5g (one eighth of a teaspoon) of salt
Q Im a 40-year-old male whos been running for more than 10 years. Despite an eight-year gap between my second and third marathons, I still covered the distance without too many problems. However, after 22 miles of my fourth marathon (five months
St Bartholomew's Hospital in 1985 and became a GP in 1990. He is now the senior partner in a general practice and is medical columnist for the Sunday Times and NetDoctor.com. He has a keen interest in sports medicine and has run a number of marathons.
.Duathlons are raced over sprint distances, such as 2mile/10mile/2mile, short distances, such as 8mile/24mile/ 8mile or much longer distances, a prime example of which is the 10K/150K/30K Zofingen Powerman. The 2008 World Long Distance Duathlon Champion Catriona
