of 2005, when she read an article in Runner’s World about ultra-running, and decided to give it a try.“I followed the RW training programme exactly,” she says. Six months later, she successfully completed the Compton Downland Challenge, a 40-mile race

, and find what they like.You're well known for your 100-plus-mile weekly training schedule each week. How do you find time to sleep?(Chris Leigh 3)I sleep a lot! I get 10 hours or so at night, and another two in the afternoon between 2 and 4 o'clock. I

have gone smoothly, the move up to 50K should be completely possible. The two big differences from a marathon will be: (1) you’ll be running for an extra hour or two; and (2) your race pace is likely to be significantly slower.If you’ve trained

to do 50 marathons."Dean Karnazes, who runs up to 150 miles a week in training, and whose "long training runs" have included the Western States 100-miler and the Badwater 135 in Death Valley, certainly seems to have the training under control. His epic

to be running about 100 miles a week throughout May, June and July next year, putting in the occasional long weekend effort where you’re running 40 miles a day for two or three days in a row. This is the only way to get used to it. Break the day down into four

home alone tonight!").  The shoes, from Italian shoe company Vibram, sell for between £84.99 and £165.99.Health benefits In addition to their nonconformist currency in popular culture, the FiveFingers - which weigh all of 162g and have a minuscule heel

'm going home alone tonight!").  The shoes, from Italian shoe company Vibram, sell for between £84.99 and £165.99.Health benefits In addition to their nonconformist currency in popular culture, the FiveFingers - which weigh all of 162g and have a

HIIT for a full year, who turns out better trained? We haven’t done that study. But I bet they’re close.” Build a really strong body The other half of MacKenzie’s programme is building strength through CrossFit. Workouts average a life-friendly 10-20

to the trails.Ultra RunningA short and snappy guide packed with everything you need to know to go long.Stretching Run safe, strong and injury-free - wise up to the whats, whys and whens of stretching.Carb-LoadingForget ploughing through plates of pasta - get

won by Parachute units. For the record my marathon PB is 2:52... without a bergan! – Jonah Unless you're training for an elite regiment or an ultra-marathon in the desert, training with a rucksack carries no tangible benefit. Steady, structured