Running and cycling were also squeezed out of Dr Nic’s weekly regime as she focused on her second priority: boosting her fat reserves. "Body fat is actually an advantage in cold waters," she says, "and I find cross-training (other than weights sessions) simply melts

causing major traffic problems! – Fat FyesKeep your feet toasty...If your feet are prone to blisters or feeling cold in the rain, try lambswool socks like Hilly® or Running Bear® (usually sold as off-road socks for loonies who run in bogs). Your feet won

per week). I did no more than three runs a week and maybe a three-hour bike session every fortnight or so, but I did start to do longer runs earlier on in the schedule. – fat facePrioritise long runs to make sure you last the distanceFor the 20 weeks

-group was not enough to console her. She came home and won her next event to make up for it, but she was a pain to live with for weeks – fat buddha... try, try, try again Sign up for another race. It's the best way to get over a disappointment. It'll give you a fresh

the race. Your digestion is slowing down - hence the dry mouth and butterflies - but your breathing should be speeding up, your heart rate increasing and sugar and fat pouring into the blood. Good things if you are racing. – CC(O)C(=O)OIt might be a cliché

that it gets easier and easier as your body gets used to it. – Fat FyesBreak the incline into manageable chunksDon't beat yourself up if you can't always run up hills – even more experienced runners have off days. One tactic I employ is to focus on a point

For Goodness Shakes does me. This provides carbs in the form of lactose, fructose and sucrose, some protein and nearly zilch fat for quick absorption. Of course, if you're not good on dairy, forget it. If it's a hot day, I also take two tetrapaks of Vita Coco