Q After running a sub-3:00 marathon in my mid-30s, I spent the next 17 years running only occasionally. But last year, to celebrate my 50th, I returned to serious training for the Flora London Marathon. I finished in 3:28, and this has got me

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

should be feeling good and able to do anything.Run an ultra race? Are you serious? If another marathon doesn't excite you, how about something a little longer? If you've ever wondered what ultras are like, you have the perfect training base to find out

per week; but when do you recover if you are running almost every day?A The marathon is a hugely demanding event. It should be given respect, and I don’t feel that training twice a week is enough. Running 26 miles in competition can sometimes be a

race, but with longer aerobic runs and more repetition runs. This differs from half-marathon training in that the latter is often done as a prelude to the full marathon, and therefore involves more long, slow running.We have prepared training programmes

and burnout. Break the year into two or three macrocycles, each ending with a goal race followed by a week-long break. During that seven-day period, cross-train, rest and/or do light jogging (limit light jogs to four). Take one 14-day break every year

to follow your current schedule. If you couldn’t race or have missed training through illness and injury: While this is the most important part of the schedule, don’t run through illness or injury and be sensible when you resume training. If you have missed

Q I’m 45, and can no longer train at the levels I used to. Recently I’ve tried the run/walk method. However, I can’t get past the ‘guilt’ I feel when I’m walking in a marathon. Any suggestions?A I understand the psychological barrier

to train for at least six months.2 Focus on your weakest disciplineLook at the breakdown of your times from previous races and work out where there is room for improvement. A successful Ironman performance is heavily dependent on how you tackle the bike leg

to judge your pace so that you don't overreach yourself and end up walking, or run too easily and have too much left at the end.You'll need to do some of your training at faster than race pace to get used to the feeling of speed, and to learn to resist