Swim session"For beginners it's initially about working towards being able to cover race distance. So if you are limited to an hour you have to make sure you use that time efficiently," says Paula Dewar, coach at VO2 Maximum Triathlon Coaching. "With swimming

Q: How can I avoid getting kicked in the face during the swim start?A: The swim start in a triathlon is a nerve-racking time for most triathletes. It is a mesmerising moment for spectators, as it looks like a majestic monster thrashing away in a

hobble when they first get off the bike, running with smaller, more frequent strides as their hips and knees struggle to adjust. You're going wrong when: You run geisha-style, with exaggeratedly precise steps. Spend the last few minutes of the cycle

to 20 per cent of your daily needs), which helps to build new bone. A study of women aged 38 to 74, revealed that those who ate lettuce once or twice a day had a 45 per cent lower risk of hip fracture than those who ate lettuce one or fewer times per

1. Sleep well"In reality, trying to sleep well the night before a race never works," says triathlon coach Rick Kiddle (www.rickkiddle.com). "The best sleep will be the night before the night before. Many athletes can survive with little sleep

and enjoy a positive race experience.Whether you're tackling your first triathlon or you fifteenth, there's always something to learn, so read on and take the next step to triathlon success.In AdvancePreparation for a perfect race begins well in advance

is plenty. If you are training for a sprint- or standard-distance triathlon, building your long training sessions to twice the race distance is the best approach. If you are preparing for a half-Ironman distance race, aim towards 1.5 times the race distance