Training for a marathon is tough and time-consuming enough, but at least you're not short of advice on training schedules. But the increasingly popular ultra marathon is quite another matter, as one reader has found. If you've got experience
Dean Karnazes on a typically epic training runWhat is Dean Karnazes made of? When the US ultra-marathoner announced his plan to run 50 marathons through 50 American states in 50 days, people thought he was either superhuman or insane. Mainly
an ultra-marathon?(Duncan Sadler)No! A marathon's far enough. It's the perfect distance for me, I wouldn't go further. Mind you, I said that before I moved up to marathons...Paula and friends limber up in Regent's ParkWhat cross training do you do
This week's questioner loves his running and loves his beer. But do they mix?"How much harm will a skinful of ale a week before a marathon do me? I'm running my first full marathon of the year on Sunday 29 April, six days after St George's Day. St
; but not just for the sake of it. – Tracy Keating-VergaI wear a backpack when I'm training for an ultra-marathon. I load the pack with all the items and liquid I'll need for the event, and this allows me to get accustomed to the weight and the feel, because
hole in the toe nail. There's instant relief as the fluid under the toenail is released. Sometimes I've needed even more drastic measures: after running the Two Oceans Ultra Marathon (34.8 miles) and the Comrades Marathon (54 miles) this year, I had
, but when I take a day off my appetite drops and I feel sluggish. After four years of running I've done two marathons, 3:58 and 3:41, so surely I'm doing something right?" – Little LizardYour best answersIf you feel fine, you're getting enough restIt depends
've found that my vision in contacts is better than in glasses, so I'm thinking I may wear them for my first marathon, whatever the weather. – Runner-beanTry www.contactlenses.co.uk. They are much cheaper than from an optician – but you will need your
Triathlon events have grown fast in popularity over the last couple of years, and this week's questioner is just one of many RW members thinking of giving the run/bike/swim thing a whirl..."I am a plodder (mainly 2-hour half marathons; FLM last year
