’t do me any favours either. – MTritonBe realistic about your training timescaleI train with someone who averages well under three times per week, though due to injury rather than choice. Earlier this year he managed a 31:50 10K, but I'd imagine he

into manageable portions e.g. the next gate/lamp post/tree/parked car/whatever. Keep track of your progress – it’s worth singling out one or two key landmarks on each hill and reminding yourself (in a few weeks’ time) that you've been able to get much further

speed and can only manage half the distance I would normally expect to do, or I run at a comfortable pace, which is about 1mph less than Iwould normally run indoors. Is this just me or do others find a big difference?" – Ben GillamYour best answers

far, but what should she be eating to tackle the big one?"Hello all! Life has suddenly got a bit more serious for me as I've changed my race distances from half-marathon to marathon. With half-marathons I've managed on Rowntrees Fruit Pastilles, water

Training to run continuously for longer periods of time is a great way to measure your progress, but if you’re running at the same speed day in and day out, you’re likely to see your improvements plateau. Unfortunately for this week’s questioner

to do a fast one or a long one as the mood takes me, depending how I feel physically. Is this too haphazard a way to train for a half-marathon?" – GlennzoYour best answersWith or without? There’s a time for bothI need a schedule when I'm working

. If you have any negative thoughts they will just get in the way. – Pammie*Expect to get out what you put inYou can definitely improve your times even as you get older. I used to do minimal training, stayed well within my comfort zone and my times remained

Having already suffered the consequences of overdoing it too soon, this week’s questioner is desperate to avoid future injury by spending time warming up before – and cooling down after – every training run. Trouble is, conflicting opinions on when

Challenge After initial reactions of shock and disappointment, the cancellation of the 2007 Abingdon Marathon – a much-loved forumite fixture – triggered an avalanche of questions about just how much time and effort goes into organising races. "It can

’s quicker to do that than choke myself on the water and lose more time that way. – cougieMaster the make-a-spout techniqueIf I get a cup of water in a race, I generally tip out half of it, squeeze the cup in the middle to make a spout, sip a couple