of an individual matter, varying from runner to runner just like favourite shoes, the following guide will clear up the merits of the various alternatives so that you can make the very best of what’s available to you. (Ratings are out of 10.)1. GrassAt its best

Next time you see another runner out on the street, take a closer look. Is he thinking about smashing his 10K PB next week, or getting smashed at the pub later with his running friends? Is she wondering how she'll fit in next week's training, or how

Running the same routes over and over soon gets dull. And it's also bad news for your body, particularly if you stick to roads and pavements. The forces associated with running on hard surfaces can be more than twice as great as softer ground, so

rather than a rocky fell. And always look 10-15 metres ahead – not down at your feet.Workout ideasRecovery runTrails slow you down, so they are the perfect place to do your recovery running. Aim for 20-45 minutes on an easy trail at a pace that is two

with 10-15 minutes of easy running before picking up the pace. Combine that with stretching for optimum results.5. Don’t start too fastBeginners usually err on the speedy side of speedwork. Hold it steady, and don’t run so fast that your breathing

are generally flat or gently rolling, and are made of dirt, gravel or wood chips. Double-track trails, created for vehicles, are found in forests and multi-use areas, often have a gravel surface and may feature steep climbs. Single-track trails are narrow dirt

every few minutes as you're running, to get a general idea of your rate throughout the session. You will probably find that, even if you maintain the same pace throughout, your heart rate will rise by 5-10 beats over a period of 30 minutes

sure that you run off-road as often as possible. The repetitive impact of hard surfaces is a sure way to get sore muscles. In particular, try to do your speed sessions on a forgiving surface such as grass.The real key is in listening to your body

for those with limited time to spare. Plus, with links to five longer related articles, there’s always plenty more to print out and read later…Trail RunningFor stunning scenery, near-perfect running surfaces and liberation from the urban rat race, take

runners - from Mo Farah to Paula Radcliffe - and the benefits for track and road runners are manifold. Farah, who bagged gold in the European Cross-Country Championships in 2006 and silver in 2009, recently became the first athlete in 20 years to win