Tony’s top tips for a better half-marathon

HE was, in his Villa heyday, the fastest winger in the land.

Nobody could catch Tony Daley when he set off like a rocket on a run down the wing.

And he’s still in action today at 48, as fitness coach at Wolves.

And today he shares his top 10 tips for tackling the Great Birmingham Run Half Marathon on Sunday, October 16. 1. Fail to prepare, prepare to fail

I’m responsible for the athletic performance of Wolves’ first-team squad and Academy. It’s my job to ensure the players are healthy, fit and prepared to perform at their maximum.

And that’s how everyone should approach a half-marathon. 2. Remember, it’s a half-marathon, not a sprint

People can get over-excited after signing up and do too much too soon. You shouldn’t try to run ten miles in your first training session! Little and often is the best way to start off. You should begin with small distances and build them up gradually. 3. Just getting across the finish line deserves a gold medal

There are some serious runners out there who will follow intense training programmes, but it’s not all about breaking records.

Set a realistic target. 4. You’ll look and feel much better

Running is good for improving your all-round fitness and losing weight.

Yes, you may sometimes be tired after a training run, but you’ll feel great and more relaxed. 5. Don’t scrimp and save on footwear and fuel up

You don’t need to spend a fortune but wearing the right trainers is critical. 6. Run with a purpose

You’ll feel more motivated to train if you’re doing it for a reason.

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