've made this humble fruit our own. There are now over 1,200 native British varieties of apple, perfect for eating, cooking - or cider making. British apples are available nearly all year round, but they really shine in the autumn, with the impeccably

strengths. It's packed with a mind-boggling list of goodies - vitamins K, A, C, B2, B6 and E, plus antioxidants, calcium, dietary fibre, protein and Omega-3 fatty acids.This treasure trove of nutrients works hard for runners, promoting strong bones

out at around 1,500kcal from carbohydrate per day for most women and 1,800kcal for men. However, during the carb-loading period aim to up your carbohydrate intake to 8-10g per kilogram of body weight (Anita Bean, The Complete Guide to Sports Nutrition

in a specific event (such as winning your age category in a race).Performance goals relate to a certain level of achievement (for example, a sub-40:00 10K).Setting different targets means you're more likely to focus on the positive outcomes of your

. Urban says, 'After dragging along in the last run of the day to make up the miles, I found it quite hard to sleep. My last run would be as late as 9 or 10pm sometimes and then I'd be hyper for hours.'Lack of appetite or weight loss You're training harder

, and add any vegetables or herbs you fancy - cherry tomatoes and chopped courgette are both tasty additions. Fold the parchment over the top and bake at 200C/fan 180C/gas mark 6 for 15 minutes. Buy: Fresh and smoked salmon is available at the vast majority

, increase the speed settings to make sure you're always sprinting at 8/10 effort. If you've only got time for a short workout, this short sharp session (10-15 minutes) does the trick. Warm up with an easy jog on an 0.25-1

- otherwise, you run the risk of damaging muscles already taxed by a tough workout. A light sports massage and/or wearing compression clothing (brands like Skins, 2XU and Under Armour) can also boost blood flow and help expel lactic acid.Consider following a

© Getty Images If 26.2 miles just isn't enough, an ultra could be the race for you. Races longer than a marathon, ultras range from 30 miles to hundreds of miles and take place in hundreds of beautiful locations from Sussex to the Sahara

finish. More 10K highlights... 26.2 Valentines 10K (Surrey, February 15) Salisbury City 10K (Wiltshire, February 15) Hampshire Chronicle Winchester 10K (Hampshire, February 22) Lions Club of Winslow 0K (Buckinghamshire, February 22)Dover Mercury Half