different transition times, different terrain and be held in different weather conditions.As a result there are no qualifying times in triathlon, as there are for age-group swimming championships, for example. Instead, you have to prove your worth in head

motivated – once you’ve completed the run.Strike a balance between... Running & cross-trainingAerobic activities such as cycling, vigorous hiking, swimming, pool running and using your health club’s exercise machines offer an array of benefits. On days when

that you need to be armed with a little extra information. If you're aquarunning or swimming, for example, it's likely that your heart rates for a given effort are going to be much lower than those you're used to from running, even though you're using

.The Leisure Centre where we will be meeting is adjacent to the track - it's not the building which houses the swimming pool a few hundred yards to the southPace GroupsThere will be a pace group for each of our eight marathon target bands

energy level with other activities such as walking, swimming, biking, strength training and stair climbing.9. Double your effort, double your rewardBreaking up your exercise into two sessions – one in the morning and one in the evening – is a great way

the marathon. Have one or two days of complete restFeeling bad: Try to do four or five sessions of easy cross-training – walking, cycling, swimming – for 20-30 minutes. Stretch carefully for 10-20 minutes after each session, and aim to have one or two sports

-sport athletes. The simplest is a display that’ll help forgetful triathletes remember what they’ve done – press the lap button and it ticks off the swim, bike and run. More useful is the target timer. Set a target time for each leg and transition and an alarm

with swimming. With speedwork it's about developing and building muscle, so any talk of "remembering" is nonsense. My experience indicates that I feel better the next day if I've cooled down with some slow running after a hard speed session. – Mister WNice coach

while that I hadn't worn my little hat (100% polyester from Sainsbury's), because I thought it would make me over-heat. I think I've proved that I need to wear the hat – I can just shove it down my tights when I get hot! – Swims

with broader feet may find a men's shoe more comfortable. – Orang UtanI think women's shoes are narrower in the heel. I've got two pairs of Brooks, one men's and one women's. No massive difference, but I can feel the heel difference. – Swims