Q During a recent run, my left hamstring seemed to become quite tight. I’m worried that I’ve picked up a strain, but as I’m training for the Flora London Marathon, I’m reluctant to see a physio who’ll just tell me to ‘rest’. At the moment I

Some runners are suspicious of tights. Not only do they show off your womanly curves (or manly bulges), but they are perceived to keep you a bit too warm, so that heat exhaustion becomes more of a threat than at the height of summer

.brooksrunning.co.uk; 01903 817 0009Insport Medley CMX – £20Very light, longer-length shorts. The inner-brief wicks away moisture and, thanks to X-Static silver thread, inhibits odour. (Women's). Contact www.insport.com; 01827 383 200adidas Supernova Short Tight – £35Adidas

pair of Gore tights, such as the Mythos ones. They may be expensive but they keep the legs warm and allow you to get on with the run without problems. The quad muscles have good blood supply, so, for them to feel numb, one of two things must have

practical that you won’t mind.Contact www.salomonrunning.comSalomon Windstopper Tight, £70 This heavy-duty tight uses Gore’s Windstopper material on the thighs to keep your working muscles warm, with breathable stretch panels elsewhere so you can move

, and don’t mention any excessive swelling following training – both of which you would expect with damaged cartilage.There are therefore two probable explanations for your problem. Tightness in the soft tissue around the knee or weakness in certain muscle

sports therapist Sophie Vowden, "so tight knots in the calves can pull on the calcaneus, subsequently pulling on the plantar." In a 60-strong study in the Journal of Orthopaedic Sports Physical Therapy, subjects undertook the following regime to soothe

Loop-lacing lockThis is a great way to create a secure, tight fit. Just put each lace end back into the same hole it just exited, leaving a small loop on the top side of the shoe; now thread each loose end through the loop on the opposite side

the nerves are tight and causing the symptoms. The tension can be caused by problems with the spine, the pelvis and/or something local, such as a muscle being tight or in spasm. This needs to be established so that they can prevent a recurrence once the pain

and tights to jackets, and also cast our eye over accessories and high-visibility kit to keep you seen – and safe – on your winter runs. Testing CriteriaWeather-proofing Did it keep out the wind and rain? Weight What was the weight-to-weather-proofing ratio