I started training for my 750m swim leg with a dangerous level of confidence. I had weekly swimming lessons throughout my childhood, topped off with lifesaving training (mostly swimming around in pyjamas staging elaborate 'rescues' of my clubmates

, gradually get yourself used to the change by starting on a soft surface like grass or trails. If you'd feel more comfortable with company, why not team up with a friend? Get them to show you their favourite route, or join a club, which guarantees you

Further than a half-marathon, but not so long that it'll scupper the following week's training, the UK's 20-mile races are the unsung heroes of spring marathon training.Swap your usual long run for a 20-mile tune-up, and from busy start lines

It’s summertime, and that can mean only one thing – the Pirate Ship of Fools (PSOF) is soon to set sail for its annual team challenge. This year, our forum triathlon contingent is heading to Switzerland on July 12, where Pirates old and new

performance and keep injury and boredom at bay, then variety and recovery should be the linchpin of your training and racing. It’s also valuable to decide what, for you, are going to be the three or four most important races of the year. This not only helps

team at Mile 17. But they all have one aim, which is to shout as much encouragement as they can muster, for friends, family and complete strangers.  2. Trionium Midsummer Munro Half-Marathon Where: Surrey When: June 20 With 13.1 miles

)Not the Roman IXNot the Roman IX (Warwickshire, January 18) Kick off 2009 – and perhaps your spring marathon training too – with the sixth staging of this popular 12K road race. If you're still in mourning for the long-lived Roman 9, which this race

rotten with organisational touches: there’s a free crèche for children, chip timing, special train services from London which stop within 600m of the starter’s gun, plus a park and ride service if you're coming by car. Look out for the RW pacing team too