in the pool searching for the vaguest remnants of my swimming muscle memory. I've drawn up a plan with 3-4 sessions a week, regular swims of 1000-1500m interspersed with shorter sprints and drills.Deep breath - it's going to be a busy couple of months!

and bridleways. Even in city areas like London, you can work your way from one park to the next.Step Up To CompetitionTriathletes love to race, so why not work in a little off-season competition to your training? There is a growing number of off-road events

-to-firm cross-country race, this is your shoe (a spike will still have the edge in slippery mud).As its 1970s looks hint, the Lightfoot is designed for the fell running market, and it’s a far more competition-oriented shoe than the good but sturdier Equipment

that wraps slightly higher on either side of the base of the heel to augment the already good rearfoot stability.In short Always a top-four shoe in the highly competitive £70 stability market, the Adrenaline now has better forefoot cushioning. If you’re a mid

around, but it’s protective, very well made and competitively priced.Try it if you liked Montrail Leona Divide (£55); Timberland Pathseeker (£70); Adidas Brahma (£60)

Weight 311gEvaluation Over the last few years, only Ultralite has kept Reebok competitive with other running brands. This combined midsole and outsole material has proved to be smooth, light, and surprisingly durable, and it’s been best used

Weight 390gEvaluation You probably know about adventure racing by now. It’s the off-road run-bike-kayak competition that can take anywhere from six hours to six days non-stop. Some racers wear fast, grippy trail shoes from running brands. Others

runs, but add a weekly repetition session, such as 4-5 x 1-mile efforts, or 12-20 x 400m (with one-minute jog recoveries).3. Competition phase (four to six weeks), which should include some foundation and preparation work, followed by easy running

Weight 362gEvaluation The Addiction series has built up a loyal following among runners who want exceptional levels of motion control, decent cushioning and a highly competitive price tag. So, following the ‘if it ain’t broke…’ philosophy, Brooks

flagship running shoe.When you’re food shopping, you expect the store’s own products to be budget alternatives to big brand names. At £56, though, the TRKAs are in direct competition with some big hitters – the £60 Nike Air Pegasus for one. Like name