training runs and the highest-volume weeks of the schedules. They’re hard weeks, but you can do it.Don’t even think about giving up or easing off now (unless you’re injured). The work you put into the next five key weeks will pay dividends on race day

Cutting back on volume and intensity for a race seven days away may seem obvious, but many runners still get it wrong. So, for the perfect taper, just do this:Sat/Sun 75 per cent of your long run (if it’s usually 10 miles, run 7)Mon 20-30 minutes

ears, but their main USP, say the manufacturers, is the sound quality for the price. Clarity was certainly impressive, and they were powerful too – the volume was deafening at anything above halfway – but the bass could be better. After some initial

, and always strive not to drop a long run or speed session if you’re forced to miss a day.In Weeks 5-8... you add volume and speedThis is a key period. The training is still intensifying each week, you have still to reach the heaviest period, but the key

successes in most runners' eyes. Ballycotton, Connemara, Welsh Castles, Loch Ness and Coniston sweep into some of the top spots. But all types of races - over 900 in total - got represented.We know that no rating system can be completely relied on, and you

If you’ve been training for weeks, you’ll want to make the last workout before your race count. Studies indicate the best way to prepare for a race is to reduce the volume of your running (mileage) while maintaining the intensity. These four

, load it with tunes and run.The best players for runners are those that use Flash memory, as these have no moving parts so songs won't skip. The days when Flash players only had room for an album's worth of music are long gone, and players are available

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"Look on a training diary as a coach, conscience and friend," says Steve Smythe, a runner and coach who's been writing down every run he completes since 1976. He's recognised that keeping tabs on his training is a great way to make the most of his

It might seem like gender isn't a big deal in the world of running. But even though men and women line up in the same races, with similar kit and an identical will to win, being a female runner can be a little different. Women have a different