to the entry and exit area. You'll be able to take your time, swim as much or as little as you want and then head out feeling, with any luck, energised and confident. Most venues have hot showers as well as changing facilities.Coach Rick Kiddle (www

! Fiery Holes – Burning bales of hay to jump over and then into water pits which get deeper with each one and are COLD! And wet. The Count tries to launch a huge jump into one of the water traps... but on take off his foot slips and he goes head first

for the perfect desert marathon. They'll find it at the Lost Dutchman Marathon. The starting area near the town of Gold Canyon is the most relaxed pre-race setting in all of marathondom, with roaring campfires, blankets to sit on, and your choice of hot cocoa

that was under my vest. It was going to be hot...The race itself isn't entirely clear in my mind, but I remember some key points. The first of these were the first six miles, which were fantastic, the crowds were very noisy. That said, if I ever hear "show me

will see you flying home for lashings of hot grub back at race HQ.More hardy half-marathons... Steyner Stinger Half-Marathon (Sussex, March 2) Midsummer Munro Half-Marathon (Surrey, June 21)Yorkshire Off-Road Half-Marathon (West Yorkshire, September 14

with jam-packed goody bags and even hot tubs at the finish.   6. BUPA Great North Run Where: Newcastle When: September 20One of the UK’s biggest races buzzes with the anticipation and excitement generated by 36,000 people ready to race and raise

-marathon event, enter the Atlantic Coast Challenge in October and attempt to complete three marathons in three days.Spend time in the sauna to try to get used to the level of heat. Watch out for hot spells and go for long runs at the hottest part of the day

-old I'd won the English Schools' 5,000m championships on the track, and held high hopes of representing my country. Sadly I broke my foot, and had to give up track racing. Instead, I took to the roads and discovered I had a talent for marathon running

in my right foot (three days after my last run) which just got worse. Saturday morning it was no better so I found a sports injuries clinic who saw me straight away. After 30 minutes loosening my foot the specialist said it might get better

, as if you're cleaning the sole of your shoe. To start the upstroke, pull up on the heel first. Practise pedalling with one leg to start with - rest your other foot on the turbo trainer. Focus first on the downstroke, then the upstroke, then on both. Start