Hard Training Q&AsTRAINING GENERAL• Do I need to take an "easy week" when my average mileage isn’t that high? • Should you try and break through ‘the wall’ in training? • Is it just the cold weather, or am I getting fitter? • How do I overcome

Q Last year I achieved my marathon PB of 2:53, and immediately started wondering what I should do next. I have run several marathons, but rarely more than two in a season. I’d like to do a few shorter runs, but with all the training I’m doing

This week, one reader wants to know why some runners like to put their back(pack)s into it..."Is it silly to train with a weighted rucksack strapped to your back? Surely it's safer to have a weight strapped around the stomach (less pressure

might expect. Heart rate monitors are really good for base training and will give you instant visual feedback on whether you're training at the most useful level or not... which is often amazingly slow. – Dave CochraneSet a targetEnter a race. You know

't like the particular emphases of Pose or Chi, have a look at books like Master the Art of Running by Malcolm Balk and Triathlon Training Running by Ken Mierke. Malcolm Balk is an Alexander Technique teacher, so he tries to maximise the benefit

This week, one reader emailed us with a very practical problem. Just how do you work out how far you've run?"What is the easiest and most effective way to measure the distances you're running? I've tried pedometers, bike computers and route-finder websites, but don't feel they ha...

, but couldn't because of bucketing rain, and (2) narrowly missing running into a tree on a training run because my glasses were so steamed up. The lenses don't work out that expensive, because I only wear them for running in the rain – ie not very often

generally get my athletes to run at least a mile before doing dynamic stretches, then running drills before each training session. For recovery runs you don't really need to do this, as the first part of the run should be nice and steady, but for harder

left. I've come to appreciate the effect that my running has on the little one. She sees exercise as something people do and sees the training effort before the races. She also sees me never win but always look happy. It's a great incentive. Running

his athletes to make a plan of their intended weekly training and then increase mileage or intensity only every third or fourth week.For example, if your current mileage is 20 miles a week and you’re aiming to build that up to 40 miles, add five