Wearing the correct running shoes is essential if injury is to be avoided. However, the shock transmitted through the body when running on different types of ground hardly varies at all, as the athlete subconsciously adjusts the stiffness of their leg according to whether their foot is about to land on tarmac, track or grass. Even so, it makes sense to reduce the degree of foot impact, and therefore the danger of stress injuries, by diversifying one’s general fitness training. This could include cycling and swimming, while weight training has a role to play in this respect by strengthening the body and thereby improving posture and balance. Needless to say, such training should cease at the slightest sign of any discomfort. Pain, of course, can be a warning sign of impending injury, and many coaching manuals warn of the dire consequences should an athlete be so foolish as to try to run through it. In severe cases that warning undoubtedly makes sense, but I would take issue with it regarding milder conditions such as muscle soreness that are an inevitable by-product of a hard workout. To minimise post-training discomfort, I’d always make a point of doing a little cooling down work such as stretching. It also makes sense to cross-train, to strike a balance between running and other disciplines like cycling and rowing, both of which have the advantage of providing relief from the constant pavement pounding which must surely have a harmful effect on marathon runners, above all.