, the more effective this strategy can be. Unfortunately, we also tend to recall poor performances, so counter-balance these with good thoughts. As soon as you have a negative thought, visualise yourself getting a surge of energy late into the race, or think
and perhaps even take your running to a new level.One answer, and a possible way to improve your running time at the next triathlon, may be cross-training. Substituting some of your running with other cross-training enables you to complete extra endurance
and infection after the race. You may also be feeling disorientated – or even depressed – in the come-down after achieving such a significant running goal.Unfortunately, there’s no formula for calculating how long your body will take to recover – this will vary
Baldaro. “You can overcome this by choosing a completely new challenge. Try a duathlon, an adventure race or take up a new activity like tennis or yoga to help both your body and mind recover from the rigours of a marathon.” 4. Redecorate or get married
One of the long-enduring and rarely questioned traditions associated with triathlon events of all kinds is the substantial pasta dinner the evening before race day. After all, who doesn't believe in the hearty, turbo-fuelling advantages of eating a
to your race paces, but heart rate is an equally good guide (especially if you're new and you don't know what your race paces are). The glossary suggests target heart rates, and so even the most basic heart rate monitor (from about £40) will be a valuable
legend Liz McColgan, who has set up a new elite training facility in her home town of Carnoustie, Scotland. "When you're tired, the first thing to go is your form – when I was gearing up for big races I'd almost focus more on this than my running
£20 a year to £75 a month, depending on coaches, equipment and access to pools and gyms.4 Get a coach or follow a training planPlanning your training can be difficult, especially if you're new to racing. So it's a good idea to invest in a coach or a
With three disciplines to consider, it's easy to make mistakes when you're eating and drinking during training and racing. That's the bad news. The good news is that it's easy to avoid triathlon's common nutritional pitfalls if you plan ahead
