. "For Ironman Germany in 2006 and Ironman Switzerland in 2009, I obsessively looked at online course profiles and listened to banter about the races on the Runner's World forums. My training cycle loop has four climbs that matched those in the Ironman

.Duathlons are raced over sprint distances, such as 2mile/10mile/2mile, short distances, such as 8mile/24mile/ 8mile or much longer distances, a prime example of which is the 10K/150K/30K Zofingen Powerman. The 2008 World Long Distance Duathlon Champion Catriona

's good to start to eat well, drink plenty of fluids, and prepare for the challenge ahead. Many triathlons start early in the morning, so it's always a good idea to travel to the race venue the day before to register, rack your bike and walk around

probably should because the unfortunate truth is that triathlon can have a negative impact on the environment. You probably love being outdoors and like to see nature at its best, if for no other reason than a healthy environment makes for an enjoyable race

and stretch."13. Bring a friendAlistair Brownlee, 2008 Triathlon World Under-23 Champion, says it's a good idea to have someone with you. "Not just to cheer you on, but to drive you home," he says. "You deserve it."14. Remember to mingleTriathlons are social