as they tick off a tough 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike and 26.2 mile run.Competition will be fierce for the 50 age group slots for the 2011 Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii, up for grabs. Returning to Bolton for its third year, the revised route
Q. I live in London and am training for an Ironman-distance race in the French Alps. It's going to be hilly. Is there any way I can prepare for the climbs? If you're living in the city and don't have easy access to climbs, I'd recommend two
Q. Should I change my bike tyres before a race? And how do I strike a balance between durability and ride quality? A. I advise never changing anything before a race. Anything new presents an opportunity for something unexpected to go wrong. The best
Q. I know pasta's an old favourite, but is there an obvious choice for a meal the night before a race?A. The pre-race meal is a matter of individual choice and preference, but there are some factors to consider. The first important point is to eat
Q. If I'm not really sore or exhausted does that mean I won't benefit from my training session?A. Training isn't about killing yourself every session so that you are exhausted at the end. Training should comprise structured sessions designed
Q. I'm a fairly experienced swimmer but I've never used training aids such as hand paddles and don't really know where to start. What would you recommend?A. Swim training with paddles is a great way to develop upper- body strength, perfect your
Q. There's a lot of debate about how much effort to put in on bike climbs during races. What's the best strategy?A. The key to pacing hills has everything to do with the size of the hill and the length of the race. Your muscles work on the basis
Q. Towards the end of a long run my heels begin to clip each other every few strides. What can I do to prevent this?A. This sounds like a technique and conditioning issue. Running technique is thought to be a natural activity, but natural doesn
Q. If I train after work, I rarely sit down to eat before 9pm. Is it unhealthy to eat so late?A. This is a common situation for people trying to combine a regular training regime with a busy work schedule. After you've trained it is important
Q. I've had stomach issues when racing. I'm about to do an Ironman and am considering taking Imodium. Is this a bad idea?A. No. Between 20 and 40 per cent of all serious runners experience bowel problems when running. Anxiety and mechanical forces
