without a hangover, but anyone wanting to adopt a hair-of-the-dog recovery strategy after the wild pasta party didn't have to wait long before the first drinks station came into view. Some of the more sensible runners cruised past the tables laden

to others' fears. Many doubted my ability to get a top 50 place on my first attempt but I chose to ignore them.8. Think DrinkDrink a recovery shake immediately after each stage and ensure you eat all your food within two hours of finishing. This is when your

was any less public, I don’t know. I downed some fluids and grabbed my bike.As soon as I started, so did my next mantra: "Eat lots, drink lots, keep pedalling." I like to keep my instructions simple! Soon I reached a short sharp climb where all the Pirates

wrist up to the streetlights, desperately trying to track my pace. Then there are no more streetlights.Approaching the first drinks station I see volunteers handing out bags of fluid, rather than cups or bottles. I'm not thirsty, but I am intrigued. I

may even be following her marathon training programme. A veteran of 181 marathons – 40 of which have been ultras – she is certainly no stranger to endurance events and the physical and mental commitment that goes with them. Why would she put herself

the backlight on my Garmin (if indeed it even has a backlight – I still don't know). Instead I'm running along holding my wrist up to the streetlights, desperately trying to track my pace. Then there are no more streetlights. Approaching the first drinks

really helped me carry on."When Pirate Dermot met Andy Collier in his local gym and accepted the IM challenge he had no idea he was letting himself in for such an event. "I ran my first and only marathon in 1987, and it was the bike section here I found