As a sports dietician who has run 15 marathons, I get asked one question more than almost any other: What’s the right way to eat before a big run?

If you have flat feet, you have lots of company: around 25 percent of Americans have pes planus, the medical term for flat feet, according to Dr. Bruce Sangeorzan of the University of Washington. For most people, flat feet cause no symptoms other than wearing out their shoes faster on the inner side of the sole.

When you've never been a runner, the thought of enduring a 5K race may seem scary or even impossible. Let's keep things in perspective, though. A 5K race is actually only 3.1 miles -- which is a distance you might already be doing when you take a 30- to 45-minute walk to the park or go shopping downtown.

While occasional itching for a few minutes is not serious, an itch that keeps coming back without apparent cause may require medical attention. Frequent itchy toes may not only frustrate and irritate you, but can also indicate serious underlying conditions including diabetes, allergies and gout.

If your child suffers symptoms that include sneezing, a runny nose and light sensitivity, she may have a common cold or flu. While these symptoms are likely the result of common childhood ailments, it is important to take your child to a doctor to rule out something more serious.

Shuttle runs test your agility and athleticism as you complete a series of short sprints with 180 degree turns between each sprint. A similar exercise, called a beep test, requires you to complete each sprint before a beep sounds.

Potato salad is a cold food that can be frozen to eat months later. Because potato salad contains perishable goods such as mayonnaise and eggs, special care must be taken when thawing it to reduce the risk of contracting bacterial infections.

Traditionally, the awards in competitive sprinting have gone to runners with smaller frames. Tall sprinters have historically been considered to have a disadvantage, as Edward McClelland reports for "Slate," covering the unusual success of 6-foot-5 sprinter, Usain Bolt.

The pounding head, sour stomach and dry mouth of a hangover can make the binge of the night before seem like a very bad idea. Having another beer for breakfast might make you feel better temporarily, but it will do nothing to "cure" your hangover. Drinking when you have a hangover only prolongs the agony.

If you're a runner, you probably won't let a little cold weather stop you from running. Running in cold temperatures does require some common-sense planning. You also need to stay alert to signs of potential injury from cold temperatures.

Food is fuel, especially for serious runners who need a lot of energy. It may seem counterintuitive to fast before a workout, but some proponents claim it can benefit your performance. Fasting can also be dangerous, especially when combined with strenuous physical activity.

Many years ago, runners and other athletes put on heavy cotton sweat suits when warming up or running outdoors. Then football players and runners discovered compression clothing, lightweight, tight-fitting garments which clung tightly to the body.