I have never run a marathon race before, so it was a fantastic opportunity to run in the Virgin London Marathon for my first. However, I decided to go the extra mile, and tacked on a little post-marathon run to my day - an extra 95 miles to be exact. I had decided to run the mara...

Standfirst: First person success stories in trainingAuthor:Pics:Issue date: Feb-May01 / xref Ultimate schedsKeywords: --How I Overcame... Self-DoubtName: Nicola WrightAge: 32Occupation: Advertising assistantLives: St Albans, Hertfordshire

GETTY IMAGES The possibility of shaving a few seconds off a personal best, or running further than we ever thought we could, can lead us towards ever more inventive ways to train. But what

enough to feel like I've completed a race where Ithought I'd done as good as I could have. Never managed to follow a training plan of any kind without an injury to make it totally useless in 5 weeks.Ironman target: Realistically to get around in one piece

My Tri ProfileAge.... 30I have been running for... 3 yearsStrengths... My training partner tells me that my key strengths are determination, stamina and cheekiness combined with an enthusiastic swimming style. I also make good cakes

My Tri ProfileAge.... 31I have been running for... 1 yearStrengths... I'm single minded, stubborn, and I work from home so I've got loads of time to train.Weaknesses... Can't run and can't cycle!Ironman experience... None, niente, nada non

in a dodgy left knee that packs inat random distances, and finding time to train in between work, study anddrinking my life awayIronman experience... Very little, I usually go for non-crease. I've onlyjust learnt to do shirts, but still find it easier

and stamina that you need to run a marathon – though many runners don't realise this, and try to do all their training at one pace. The pace key will help you understand what the schedules mean by terms such as ‘easy' and ‘brisk'. Many of the terms relate

second. If I care I put a lot into what I do andexpect a high payback from it.I changed jobs and moved to a new part of the country recently so thathas impinged on how much time I have had for training. Up to early - midSeptember I was running an average

in 2004. Ironman target: To set a PB.OctoberMe at the club speed session. The track work is starting to pay off Typical training week: Mon: 7 milesTue: Swimming Wed: 8 miles fartlek Thu: 4 miles steady Sat: 8 miles steady Sun: 2hrs30 cycling + swimming