Athletes from all levels of achievement competing in sport are involved in a continuous quest to optimise performance. The Improving Sports Performance book series sets out to present a new synthesis of contemporary knowledge and understanding with respect to the scientific basis of performance. Whilst accepting that there is no one answer and recognising that all athletes are individuals, this series aims to provide prescriptive, sports-specific advice as far as is presently possible to enable all athletes to optimise their sporting performance. Improving Sports Performance in Middle and Long-Distance Running, the first book in the series, addresses the physiological demands of middle and long distance running, presenting contemporary research on running. The book covers the limitations to running performance; the application of this knowledge to training and preparation for performance; methods by which the runner, coach, and sports scientist can assess and monitor running performance; and special considerations for optimising performance including nutritional and environmental issues. The series draws upon the expertise of applied exercise physiologists who have direct experience of working with elite performers and coaches. Improving Sports Performance in Middle and Long-Distance Running is aimed at three groups of people. First, sports participants aspiring to improve their personal performance through a more complete understanding of the application of science. Second, coaches of such athletes who wish to complement the art of coaching by basing their training programmes upon rational scientific principles. Third, sports science and physical education students with an interest in implementing the theoretical background of their course in an applied sporting context. Thus, books in the series will steer a course between the theoretical texts of exercise physiology and biochemistry and popular coaching texts.