BE INSPIRED

When you first start running, most training plans are built around distance. You'll often see sessions described as a 5K run, an eight-mile long run or a 10-mile steady effort. However, many coaches prefer to prescribe training by time instead, asking runners to head out for 30, 45 or 90 minutes regardless of how far they cover.

Training for a running event can sometimes feel like a lonely experience, particularly during the longer runs when motivation starts to dip. Fundraising can be much the same. It is easy to run out of ideas, lose momentum or feel uncomfortable asking people to donate. That's why teaming up with another runner who is also raising money for charity can make such a difference.

One of the biggest concerns for anyone fundraising for charity is how often they should share their fundraising page. You want to raise as much money as possible for a worthwhile cause, but you probably don't want friends, family and colleagues to feel like they're being asked for money every time they open social media. As a result, many people don't promote their fundraising enough and end up raising far less than they could have done.

When you're looking for a quick snack before or after a run, cereal and muesli bars can seem like the perfect solution. They're convenient, easy to carry and available almost everywhere, making them a popular choice with runners of all abilities. However, not all bars are created equal, and choosing the wrong one at the wrong time can leave you feeling sluggish or even cause stomach problems during a run.

Saucony is one of the oldest and most respected names in running. Founded in Pennsylvania in 1898, the brand has spent well over a century developing footwear for runners, evolving from a small American shoe manufacturer into one of the leading specialists in the sport. Unlike some of its larger competitors, Saucony focuses heavily on running, and that dedication has earned it a loyal following among beginners, club runners and elite athletes alike.

Whether you're running your first 10K, half marathon or marathon, having a race strategy is just as important as following a good training plan. Months of preparation can quickly unravel if you get carried away in the excitement of race day or abandon the approach that has worked so well during training.

If you've spent any time reading about running training, you've probably come across the word fartlek. It's certainly one of the more unusual terms in running, and it's often enough to make beginners smile. Despite the funny name, fartlek training is one of the most effective and enjoyable ways to improve your fitness.

One of the most common mistakes runners make is setting off too fast. It often feels comfortable during the first few minutes of a run, especially when you're full of energy, but that early burst of enthusiasm can quickly catch up with you. Before long your breathing becomes laboured, your legs begin to tire and what should have been an enjoyable run turns into a struggle.

One of the most successful companies in the world Nike was founded as recently as 1964 by Bill Bowerman and Phil Knight and was known initially as Blue Ribbon Sports. Seven years later it took on the name with which we are all now so familiar, being named after the Greek goddess of victory. It's one of the most successful companies in the world and it's safe to say that most of us have worn a pair of Nike shoes at some point in our lives. But what about their running shoes?

Signing up to run for charity is about much more than completing a race. Whether you're taking on your first 10K, a half marathon or one of the world's biggest marathons, you'll also be committing to raising money for a cause that matters to you. While many runners spend months following a carefully structured training plan, far fewer give the same attention to their fundraising.

Suffering a running injury can be incredibly frustrating, especially if you've spent months building your fitness. Whether you've been out for a couple of weeks or several months, getting back to running is often just as challenging mentally as it is physically. It's perfectly natural to want to pick up where you left off, but doing too much too soon is one of the biggest reasons injuries return.

If you enjoy running first thing in the morning, you've probably wondered whether you should eat before heading out or simply lace up your shoes and go. Some runners swear by fasted running, believing it helps improve fat burning or fits more easily into a busy schedule. Others wouldn't dream of leaving the house without at least a small snack.

Choosing your first marathon is one of the biggest decisions you'll make as a runner. It isn't simply about finding a race with a convenient date. The marathon you choose will shape your entire training journey and, if all goes well, create memories that stay with you for the rest of your life.

Getting a place in one of the world's biggest marathons isn't always easy. Events such as the London, New York, Berlin and Tokyo Marathons attract huge numbers of applicants every year, leaving many runners disappointed when the ballot results are announced.

Feeling nervous before a running event is completely normal. Whether you're preparing for your first 5K or your tenth marathon, race nerves affect almost every runner at some point. Months of training suddenly become very real when race week arrives. You collect your race number, walk around the event expo and begin to realise that everything you've been working towards is just around the corner.

Finishing a run is only part of the training process. What you eat afterwards plays an important role in how well your body recovers, how you feel over the next few hours and how prepared you'll be for your next run. Whether you've completed an easy 5K, a long Sunday run or a hard interval session, giving your body the right nutrients can help you recover more efficiently.

The second biggest sportswear manufacturer in the world after Nike, Adidas is a German company that began life in 1924 as Dassler Brothers Shoe Factory, the brainchild of the Dassler brothers. In 1948 they had a major falling out, leading to the creation of Puma. Adolf founded adidas and Rudolf created Puma. Running shoes were an early part of the Adidas, but they have not always been a priority.

You've spent weeks or even months preparing for your race. The training is complete, the hard work is done and all that's left is to enjoy the experience. However, many runners undo some of that preparation by making avoidable mistakes in the final 24 hours. Arriving late, forgetting essential kit or trying something new on race morning can all add unnecessary stress before you've even crossed the start line.

When you first launch your charity fundraising page, most of your early donations will probably come from friends, family and work colleagues. They're the people who know you best and naturally want to support the challenge you've taken on. While that's a great start, there comes a point where those immediate contacts have either donated or decided they aren't able to.

Getting a place in a major running event is an exciting moment. Whether you've secured a marathon place through the ballot, entered a half marathon with friends or signed up for your first 10K, it's natural to start thinking about race day straight away. However, before you imagine crossing the finish line, it's worth taking some time to plan the months leading up to the event.

When you're fundraising for a charity run, it's natural to get excited when someone makes a large donation. Seeing your fundraising total jump by £50 or £100 feels like a big step towards your target. However, if you look at the fundraising pages of many successful runners, you'll often find that the majority of the money came from lots of smaller donations rather than a handful of large ones.