tri companies put together a package of tri essentials - which includes a top-quality bike - that can save you a lot of money.SBR Sports is offering an £829 starter package, comprising a Trek 1.2 Road Bike (£550), Orca Equip Trithalon Wetsuit (£150

and then the training hours - newcomers typically train 10 times longer than they spend actually racing in a season - and you may begin to get the queasy feeling that you're involved in a sport that's going to have you digging very deep into your pockets.It doesn't have

'Nanas are the devil's food before running – sends my tummy all funny. Bleurgh. Small handful of raisins and a square of dark choccie about 15 mins before an evening run does it for me. And lots of water during the day. – Treacle Tart Dried fruit

as much as they love running. Don’t forget to recycle your old trainers too!Good for: eco-warriors iPod Touch with Nike+ sensor, (iPod Touch £169.99, Nike+ iPod Sport kit £10.99) www.nike.com/nikestore The iPod Touch is one of the flashiest

X-Tenex Laces (£9.00)Kerry says: This week's Gear Pick is a great budget-friendly pre-payday treat. They may look simple (and colourful) but these inexpensive elastic knotted laces could transform your running. Simply lace up the trainers and use

Weight 352gEvaluation Shock! The Saucony Jazz 5000, which has been a budget mainstay of Saucony’s range for six years, has been dropped. The good news: the new budget mainstay is virtually indistinguishable. It has exactly the same soft, cushioned

Weight 350gEvaluation If you liked last year’s Wave Phoenix – and there’s every reason you would have done – you’ll enjoy the 2001 version. This protective, supportive budget shoe keeps the same thick, cushioned midsole, durable outsole, and fan

Weight 334gEvaluation Avia returned to the UK marketplace 18 months ago with shoes priced so well that you wondered what the catch was. There wasn’t one – though now the shoes have moved to more realistic price levels. That means that while you used

onto the medial side, it belies its ‘budget’ status. As you’d expect, the ride is simple and unfussy, and not as smooth or responsive as more expensive models. It’s certainly not a shoe for high-mileage runners, or anyone other than a neutral to mild

Weight 319gEvaluation Asics is a past master at producing sturdy, no-frills budget trail shoes. Models such as the Gel Guts and Trespass were perfect for runners who did a bit of trail running, but didn't want to spend a fortune. The Trail Attack