made by newcomers to triathlon.Don't forget your helmetRead your race pack when you receive it. If you are taking your bike to the transition area the night before the race, remember to take your helmet. The rules in your race pack will state that you

If transition is triathlon's fourth discipline, nutrition should be the fifth. Making fuelling mistakes could mean your race ends in disaster. And the longer the event, the more critical your food and drink strategy becomes. But it's not easy

and stretch."13. Bring a friendAlistair Brownlee, 2008 Triathlon World Under-23 Champion, says it's a good idea to have someone with you. "Not just to cheer you on, but to drive you home," he says. "You deserve it."14. Remember to mingleTriathlons are social

This section is adapted from the book, Triathlon Training in Four Hours a Week: From Beginner to Finish Line in Just Six Weeks, by Eric HarrPreparationDirections to the event: I cannot tell you how many times I tried to find my way to a triathlon

easyand RUN for 20 minutes easy SWIM for 10 minutes easy; CYCLE for 10 minutes easy Sun Strength train for 20 minutes Strength train for 20 minutes Strength train for 20 minutes Race Day KeyBilateral Breathing to both sides

as they would a straight running event." Do regular brick sessions by cycling at a high cadence for 15 minutes. Immediately shift into 10 minutes of fast-paced running, rest for five minutes and repeat three times. Aim to build to your race pace - the average

against your skin on race day - and it should not be a new sensation."You wouldn't use a mountain bike to train for a road race and the same rule applies to your triathlon preparations," says Dan Halksworth, a former Commonwealth Games swimmer who is now a

continuous running as follows:• 13 minutes at 25 beats per minute below marathon race pace OR 13 minutes easy• 13 minutes at 20 beats per minute below marathon race pace OR 13 minutes steady• 13 minutes at 15 beats per minute below marathon race pace OR 13

and British Triathlon's Male Elite Long Distance Triathlete of Year 2007"The day before the race have a carbohydrate-biased day to ensure you are fully fuelled. Keep fully hydrated and keep drinking water up to within an hour of the start."Sam Gardner, former

equal parts orange juice and water, plus a pinch of salt.Drink 100-200ml of an isotonic solution every 10-15 minutes; a standard 750ml bottle containing an isotonic drink should see most people through 50-75 minutes of training. You can have solid food