and then settling into a more manageable pace once the crowds have thinned, you are likely to have a better swim time," he says.Jump right inWorkouts that mimic races can give you the edge you need. "Choose one swim per week where, without a warm-up, you jump

Championships in the 25-29 age group. "Use it to plan a season of training sessions and races."It also allows you, when you are not racing well, to look back at a time when you were performing better and see what you were doing right. "You don't have to write

.swimfortri.com).Pool session"This session involves holding race pace over an extended period and will help to simulate race-day conditions," says Bullock. "Do this 10 days before the triathlon." Warm up, doing 6-8 x 50m, with a 10-second rest between each. Do front crawl

groups. It is the perfect endurance sport for those who are less inclined to swim, as a form of cross training, to improve bike-handling skills under race conditions in autumn and spring, to build run strength off the bike and for transition training

potential in time for your races.For most of us, summer is a reminder of why we took up triathlons in the first place. Coach Dan Bullock (www.swimfortri.com) says, "It's just great to be outside. When the time comes to get away from the chlorine and straight

will increase pace, leading to a flat-out race."Finally no one likes to be hit by - how to put this? - fast-moving nasal material, so if you need to clear your nose, make sure you don't do so into a strong wind.Going soloIf a faster rider comes past, let him

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