There are a number of common causes of running injuries. For each of these, there are steps you can take to minimise the likelihood of injury.

Knee pain can be caused by inflammation of the knee tendon in the region just below the knee cap - called 'patella tendonitis'.

Looking at how you are training and tweaking your training plan should help you improve your running performance.

You may think that the high intensity, big workload sessions are the most important part of a training plan. However, rest is extremely important as it encourages consistency in training quality and can be a catalyst for improved performance.

Training regularly will improve your all round health and fitness - the best way to do this is to follow a structured training plan.

Christina Boxer is a uk:athletics endurance coach and previous coordinator of the Aqua Pura Women in Athletics Initiative. A Commonwealth Games Gold medallist at 1500m, she is also an athletics commentator for the BBC.

Trevor Prior FCPodS MChS is a former podiatry representative to UK Sport and a consultant podiatrist in London, where he specialises in foot surgey, sports injuries and biomechanics and gait analysis in his clinic Premier Podiatry.

Victoria Wilkinson is a former junior World Champion fell runner and represents England at the World Mountain Running championships. She is also an international mountain biker.