Getty Images Off-road running might summon up dark memories of being sent round the school field in the cold. But there’s much more to going off-road. Springing along a forest trail is easier on your body than Tarmac, and the world beyond road

acid from your muscles, but short enough to keep things challenging", says Anderson. Beginners should do three or four reps; advanced runners can do up to 10. Measure the distance using GPS or, if you listen to music, try hitting 5K pace during one song

help your aerobic system work more efficiently. Also, synovial fluid (the lubricant in your joints) warms up, helping your body to move easily. "Too many beginners skip this step without realising how much more effortless it makes the whole workout feel

At some point early on, a beginner learns that 99.9 per cent of runners are pleasant, helpful people.This realisation usually dawns when a beginner meets a veteran at a race or on a training run, and theveteran starts sharing his or her enthusiasm

was in running as fast as possible from flower to flower or from garden to garden. A field of flowers became nature’s own fitness trail.Since then I’ve been taking a Flower Power run nearly every week. Sometimes I look at gardens. Sometimes I look at squirrels

? Is today an off-road day? Got to find my trail shoes!Eventually though, the pile of used shoes grows dangerously high. Even then, I can’t bring myself to simply throw them away, so l take them to a local homeless shelter. The old shoes may have outlived

out fat-burning enzymes, which help your aerobic system work more efficiently. Also, synovial fluid (the lubricant in your joints) warms up, helping your body to move easily. "Too many beginners skip this step without realising how much more

’ve already mentioned this several times, but it can’t be over-emphasised. All runners, from beginners to veteran marathoners, would like to run longer and easier. The R/W system gives you a new tool to achieve this. Does it come at a cost? Sure. Your overall

, and is designed for the surface you’ll run on most often – road, track, or trail. If you’re not sure which shoe will work best for you, go to a specialist running shop where staff can advise you (there is a list of such shops at the back of this magazine). After

stock-market fall when interest rates rise. And no athlete is immune – not even the most experienced and successful. That’s why reviewing the basics can always give you a boost.Of course, beginners have an even greater need to follow these rules