before the triathlon. The sooner you start, the easier it will be in the long run.If you're thinking about your first triathlon, why not sign up for the Tri Together triathlon, an award winning series of triathlons for people of all ages and abilities

This section is adapted from the book, Triathlon Training in Four Hours a Week: From Beginner to Finish Line in Just Six Weeks, by Eric Harr1. Choose your starting position wisely. If the triathlon you've entered has a mass start (meaning all

and different disciplines combine to make triathlon fantastic fun as well as a goal anyone can achieve. And the great news is that you already have the skills to tackle a swim, bike and run - so start training now.We created the two schedules - Sprint

items on your must-have kit list. Of course, if you're coming to the sport from scratch, you might want to consider opting for a triathlon 'start-up' package. Most triathlon retailers offer special deals which include a wetsuit, bike, helmet, running

are fresh on the start line. However, the intensity of the training sessions can still be fairly high if you are doing short distances.   ➋ Practise running off the bike to get your legs used to the sensation, and focus on quick turnover of the legs

, irrespective of distance. A good way of doing all this is to contact your local triathlon club, Masters swim class,cycle club and athletics/running club, as many have taster sessions and qualified coaches to help you train throughout the winter. The group

they are fresh for the run. Keep them together, trailing but still horizontal, and let the buoyancy of your wetsuit act as a pull buoy.Start kicking for the last 20 to 30 metres; this will pump blood into your legs, preparing you for standing up and running

and topless cycling or running leads to instant disqualification, so wearing a suit is vital.Q. Should I use tri bars?A. If you are new to triathlon there is no point buying tri bars as they are not essential kit. However, if you are already a self

minute) A measure of heart rate.Brick Training session combining two disciplines (e.g. cycling and running) used to simulate race experience and help your body adapt to switching sports quickly. BTF (British Triathlon Federation) The national

and necessary motor units so they're ready to jump into action at the start, meaning you'll be less likely to go into the red 30 seconds in. For very hard efforts, a cool-down can help prevent blood from pooling in your legs and causing dizziness, but there