Fitness expert John Shepherd is Editor of Outdoor Fitness magazine and the author of a number of fitness books including The Complete Guide to Sports Training and Strength Training for Runners. He is also a former international athlete and coach.

Due to cost and time pressures, people are abandoning the gym and organised sport in favour of more flexible and informal pursuits such as running.
But it's not just as simple as getting the miles under your belt. Injuries can impact on your ability to train, and all runners can benefit from a simple strength training and conditioning programme to boost performance and avoid unnecessary injuries. Strength and Conditioning is now regarded as integral to any training programme from marathon runners to triathletes. Strength Training for Runners is designed to keep you, as a runner, on track, whatever your level.
Packed with photos illustrating the different techniques, this coaching manual is ideal for any motivated runner. Chapters will guide you through constructing a programme of exercises to keep you running fit, show you how to improve and strengthen your running and other muscles in specific warm ups and provide you with some great conditioning advice that will make you a stronger and faster runner.
With the right strength training approach behind you, one that is balanced and reflects your training and racing needs, your injury risk can be significantly reduced and your performance significantly increased.

Acknowledgements
Introduction
1. Pre-conditioning - how to minimise your risk of running injury
2. Balanced running - how to run optimally
3. Running drills - improve your technique and specific strength
4. Running-specific warm-ups
5. Running and stretching
6. Sprinting for faster and stronger running
7. Planning your stronger running programme
8. Resistance training
Weight training and running
Plyometric training and running
Circuit training and running
Other forms of resistance running training
9. Core strength for runners
10. Cross-training for stronger running
11. Strength training for the older runner