’s not just physically demanding – it can also place a strain on your family life and social life. Even a schedule for a five-hour runner requires that you build up to training five times a week, with long runs of two to three hours on three weekends out

training – including kit – eating and drinking on the run comes down to practise and a bit of trial and error. You'll need to do this seriously, over long-run distance, at least four or five times before race day. Sometimes it takes months of patient

My Tri ProfileAge... 35; depends on the day.I have been running for... 3 yearsStrengths... laugh at adversity (aka being stupid), no off-switch,the support of some very good friends, my disarming charm and havingwebbed hands.Weaknesses... 1

the experience one to be treasured forever.Can I do it again please? !!Sarah Ficken, 5:36I was shaking with nerves and excitement as I waited at Epping station at 7 o'clock on Sunday morning for the tube, dressed in my running kit. Very soon all the runners were

, is there any remedy, or is there no option but to buy new and consign the old to the bin? – DINever wash your kit. You will build up a bacterial culture over the surface of your running kit. I have been doing this for years. By the way, I live alone and have

endurance rather than speed training – so swap time on the track for long runs and hikes on similar terrain to your race.You'll be running longer, so your body will need more time to recover. Without enough rest days, those crucial long runs will tire you

should I do after going for a run?A: Like mud, pollen sticks... to your clothing, your hair and if you have pets, your dog's, cat's or horse's hair. Professor Emberlin suggests avoiding hanging out your running kit to dry on high pollen days, as pollen

enough to keep in your kit bag and so light you won't know it's there. Also worth a mention is Zoggs' versatile and easy-to-use kick buoy (£11.99, www.zoggs.com). The kick buoy is small, light and doubles up as a pull buoy and kickboard.How to use a pull

spread his arms in a wonderfully inclusive gesture, embracing not only the 35 bemused guinea pigs who had signed up for this extraordinary, ‘self-supported’ running ordeal, but also most of Worcestershire – starting with the gently rolling lawns

It’s not so long ago that speed and distance judgement was regarded as a skill acquired by those prepared to invest years in their running. For a substantial investment of a different kind you can now literally have this expertise on your wrist