Getty ImagesIf you’ve applied for a place in the Virgin London Marathon, you’ll know by early October whether you’ve been successful. You have ample training time in the period between starting your training schedules in early January and the big day in April – but you can still ...

for 10 years and took over the marathon schedules when Bruce Tulloh retired from writing them. Steve has run more than 60 marathons (26 Londons) and as well as holding a PB of 2:29, he has also won a British marathon title in his age group. As far as his

! Huge thanks to each and every one involved." Sue CTHE EXPERTS Steve Smythe Steve worked at Runner's World for 10 years and took over the marathon schedules when Bruce Tulloh retired from writing them. Steve has run more than 60 marathons (26 Londons

exercise physiologist David Martin. RW Coaching Editor Bruce Tulloh believes that it may be worth doing the extra few miles if you’re short on confidence, but that there’s no fundamental need for it. Either way, you should build up to your longest run

for 30-90 seconds slower per mile than the pace you expect to run in the marathon. Don’t worry if you’re even slower; it isn’t a problem.4. How many long runs should you do? Again this is a point of dispute. Former RW Coaching Editor Bruce Tulloh always

. MEET THE EXPERTS Steve Smythe Steve worked at Runner's World for 10 years and took over the marathon schedules from Bruce Tulloh. Steve has run more than 60 marathons (26 Londons) and as well as holding a PB of 2:29, he has also won a

over the marathon schedules when Bruce Tulloh retired from writing them. Steve has run more than 60 marathons (26 Londons) and as well as holding a PB of 2:29, he has also won a British marathon title in his age group. As far as his coaching record goes

? Better to err on the side of caution to avoid injury if you're unsure. Use our race-time predictor for an indication of what target you should set yourself. Bruce Tulloh's failsafe guide to getting ready to start a marathon schedule will also help you

Speedwork must form part of every runner’s programme, because at some stage in a race you have to run fast, and to win races you usually need to finish faster than the other runners. The questions are what you should do and how much you should do.First of all there is real speed,...

at Runner's World for 10 years and took over the marathon schedules when Bruce Tulloh retired from writing them. Steve has run more than 60 marathons (26 Londons) and as well as holding a PB of 2:29, he has also won a British marathon title in his age group