, every time I started down a path towards better health and weight loss, I’d choose a destination. In terms of losing weight, I’d tell myself that when I’d lost 10 or 20lbs, I’d be thin. And every day I’d stand on the scales and ask myself if I

’ll run alone in the streets of your hometown, or with 20,000 others at a major marathon. One step at a time we’ll discover each other – and ourselves.Waddle on, friends.

I’m a ’90s guy, or at least I was. That all seems so 20th century now. I’m not ready to call myself a ‘noughties’ guy (although others might). I know all about male bonding, I’m in touch with my feminine side and I’m way too familiar with my inner

running for decades, you’ll learn something from their answers. Every beginner asks at least a few of these questions at some point. Here are the answers:How do I get started? Start walking for an amount of timethat feels comfortable - anywhere from 10

in the shadow of a 10,000-year-old glacier. You’ve just imagined the 2001 Antarctica Marathon, aka ‘the Last Marathon’.To me, it seemed like the perfect idea – the Penguin running with the penguins. But just reaching the Last Marathon was a marathon in itself: a

. What makes him special is that he understands he’s not special. He never forgets that he’s just another runner at the back of the pack.”Accepting the mike from Herman, Bingham feigns insult. “I’ll have you know I’ve run 30 marathons, and my PB is 2:31:20

’d known when they started out. JOHN BINGHAM1. Three steps forward, two steps backI thought that once I’d started running regularly, I’d become increasingly better all the time. I thought my progress would be linear. For a while, that’s exactly what

responds to endless questions and really inspires us to carry on when we feel like giving up.”Phil Wilson, 36, from Nottingham — sheet metal workerWhile the running has been going well for Wilson – he is doing 12-15 miles a week – kicking his smoking habit

efficiency, comfort and dragHHalf-Ironman1.9K swim; 90K cycle; 21K run. See also, Ironman.HybridA bike somewhere between a mountain bike and a road bike. Good for all-round use.IIMIronman distance (2.4-mile/3.8K swim, 112-mile/180K bike, 26.2-mile/42.2K run

Ready, steady… goStart slow. You will feel lousy before the marathon because of tapering, then when you start you’ll suddenly feel wonderful. Your body hasn't really changed so don’t revise your target pace because you feel good at mile five, or 10 or 15. You