
Tips from the world's top runners —
To participate in the Boston Marathon on Monday, April 15, runners must submit a qualifying time determined by their age group and gender. For those of us who didn't make the cut, CNN collected some training advice from a few of the world's top runners.

Tips from the world's top runners —
Find someone to run with, suggests ASICS athlete Deena Kastor, an eight-time national champion in cross country. "Running empowers an individual, engages the family and unites the community," she says. "It appears to be an individual sport, yet the camaraderie among participants is stronger than the most successful teams I've ever seen."

Tips from the world's top runners —
"My best advice to runners of all abilities is to not forget about recovery," marathoner and ASICS athlete Molly Pritz says. "Sometimes the best 'training' session we can do is forgo a run and ice that ache before it turns into a full-blown injury. Remember, it is better to get to the starting line at 95% fitness than not get there at all!"

Tips from the world's top runners —
Hit the trails or go barefoot running, Olympic medalist Lisa Norden, left, told Triathlete magazine. Why? Because balance is power. "We put our feet in beautiful shoes with a lot of support, we run on asphalt roads, and we lose so much (balance). You lose so much power when you don't have that contact with the ground," she says.

Tips from the world's top runners —
"Start your running with small, achievable training runs and build slowly and progressively from there," says ASICS athlete Ryan Hall, who posted the second-fastest marathon time ever for an American during the 2008 London Marathon. "And always remember, if it's not fun, it's not worth doing it."

Tips from the world's top runners —
"Of all the body parts we train, none is more important than the mind," says Ironman champion Chrissie Wellington. "It's when the discomfort strikes that (triathletes) realize a strong mind is the most powerful weapon of all." Read more of Wellington's advice.

Tips from the world's top runners —
"I try to run 'tall' when training or racing," Ironman champion and ASICS athlete Andy Potts says. "By running 'tall,' I mean that I try to keep my shoulders, hips, knees and ankles in the same plane without bending or 'breaking' at the hips."

Tips from the world's top runners —
"Never stop setting goals for yourself," says ASICS decathlete Bryan Clay. "You'll be surprised at how far you can go."



