runners - it can be the perfect beginner's distance or a testing time trial. Whether you're a beginner aiming to get round or a regular runner, we've got schedules that'll see you to 5K in 6 - 12 weeks. Find a 5K schedule10K The UK's most popular race

Devising training sessions is easy. Anyone can come up with a plan that sounds great. Take my old high school track coach, for example. Way back in the mid-1960s, he ordered us distance runners to do 10x400 metres, each in 60 seconds. That’s what US

're strong enough to cope with the training. Working at least one strength training session into your weekly schedule pays real dividends, in terms of improved performance, greater endurance and faster overall speed - but it also ensures that you'll spend

1. SpeedThe Session: 4 x 40m sprints (with 3 mins recovery), then 4 x 300m sprints (with 6 mins recovery)Tony Minichiello says: "Speed training in heptathlon is crucial as there's an element of it in every event - just as there is in every race

of periodisation, it can seem tough between 'peaks'. Runner Lasse Viren, dubbed The 'Flying Finn', won very little other than his four Olympic gold medals, from double victory in the 5000m and 10,000m at the 1972 and 1976 Games. He mastered the art of peaking

Many elite runners plan their racing calendars a year or more in advance. There are some right now who know that in order to be on the starting line of an Olympic final in Beijing in August 2008, they need to hit an A-standard qualifying time in a

The elites are different: they have to maintain their discipline during Christmas. Of course if someone brings along Guitar Hero or makes a batch of refreshing mojitos, all bets are off!Find out what your favourite triathletes get up to in the festive season in our slideshow.Pict...

4 | Week 5 | Week 6 | Week 7 | Week 8 | Week 9 | Week 10 | Week 11 | Week 12 | Week 13 | Week 14 | Week 15 | Week 16The best feeling in the world - two weeks post-race:Week 17 | Week 18

Whether you're new to the marathon or merely reintroducing yourself to an old friend, we're here to help you plan your race build-up down to the last detail.Here's everything you need to know to prepare for - and complete - your best 26.2 miler

you need to know about dieting's 'f-word'. Weight-Loss Plans The best way to lose weight is simple – just make sure your calories out are higher than the calories in. But the devil’s in the detail, so why not follow a tried-and-tested weight