Most top track middle-distance runners tend to reach their peak between their fourth and seventh race of the season, and track world records are more likely to be set in July than May. For them, the best way of training is to race the distance

to tweaking your training, to eating race-friendly foods. If you're a Runner's World UK magazine subscriber, you can see all 9 PB-busting tips here. Otherwise, enjoy these two as a preview - and if you want to subscribe, you can save 30% right here.Strong Legs

. By training off-road on trails or sand, your legs will work harder to keep you moving, and you’ll put less stress on joints. You can even include races on different surfaces in your training to keep you focused on the long-term goal. Try the Blackpool Beach 10

If you’ve been training for weeks, you’ll want to make the last workout before your race count. Studies indicate the best way to prepare for a race is to reduce the volume of your running (mileage) while maintaining the intensity. These four

Start racing faster"To improve your time, you're going to need to run faster throughout the race, not just at the finish. Many racers start too slowly and then end up running too quickly

in the shoulders and neck. Yoga can train you to run more efficiently by relaxing areas of the body before you race and in between runs. Inhale slowly and deeply to the count of four and then as you slowly exhale imagine you are breathing into a specific part

on target?Heart-rate training for marathonersHow to minimise down-timeRace-day planning...and much more!Too impatient? Here's last year's archive Pre-schedule countdown: Week -2 | Week -1 The real training starts here:Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week

Q Less than a month ago, after just a year of running, I finished my first marathon. I felt fine within a few days, and thought I’d have no problems getting back into training. But after a couple of weeks of complete rest, I went to the gym

L1310K: Great event all round" Absolutely fantastic atmosphere - have never known any event like it. Even the church choirs come outside to sing during it!." Catherine Bernal, on the Hastings Half.This year saw a number of races make some impressive

Q I’m 48 years old, and thanks to the training I’ve been doing for my first marathon I’ve gone down a dress size and feel great. I’m currently running 11-minute miles, and have just run my first marathon, but I really want to know what sort