pacing strategies affect race results. They asked 11 experienced female runners to run 5K on a treadmill to determine their average for the distance. The runners were then asked to run 5K again, but tackling the first 1.63K at different speeds: once

for 15 to 20 minutes, around 15 minutes before the start of the race. That gives you time to put on your wetsuit and head for the swim."Tim Don advises walking the transition before the race begins. "When you come off the bike there may be no one else

. If your shoes feel uncomfortable, stop and refit them. A minute lost now could save you 15 miles of painful blistering later on.Miles 10-13 You have a stitch. Try holding some deep breaths for a few seconds before exhaling. Alternatively, stop running

pacing strategies affect race results. They asked 11 experienced female runners to run 5K on a treadmill to determine their average for the distance. The runners were then asked to run 5K again, but tackling the first 1.63K at different speeds: once

weeks before a race as it will familiarise you with the open-water scenario," says Griffiths. As you near race day you can trim the distances." Warm up with 10-15 minutes' steady swimming - practise sighting every six to eight strokes and swim in a

time is three hours; four minutes for sub-3:30; seven minutes for sub-4:00, and as much as 10-15 minutes for 4:30-5:30. Also expect to run 30 seconds to three minutes slower than planned over the first two or three miles because of the crowded roads

Performing Edge (£14.50, Stackpole Books). Along with your workouts, write in your training log how motivated, focused, energised or confident you felt on a scale of one to 10. "Maybe you scribble a three next to 'focused' a few days in row," she says. "So

Butterflies in your stomach, waves of nausea and a dry, prickly mouth – sound depressingly familiar? Well, for this week’s questioner, enough is enough - she wants to know how she can nip her race-day anxieties in the bud and get on with enjoying

(aka peter_thompson_14) Target Time: 2:55-3:00 RACE TIME: 2:49 Pete says: Thirteen miles into the race I felt great, so I decided to smash my target. I upped my pace to just under 4 min/km, almost ran a half-marathon PB and stormed

Timex Ironman Global Trainer, £299The GPS provides constant data on how fast you're going, making it easy to run an even pace. (timex.co.uk)