means I've piled on the weight and am embarrassingly unfit. I'm hoping that the Hyde Park race will be the impetus for me to kickstart my fitness routine and ditch the extra stone I'm carrying. If nothing else, I've seen how competitive James is, and he

slightly less all-consuming.The Bala Middle Distance Triathlon was four weeks out from race day, and time to put it all together. Would the kit work? Had I sorted my nutrition? How fit was I? Had I over-cooked the training? There were Pirates everywhere

training so you peak in time for a race. What, when and why?Until the Soviet sports scientists got on board, athletes trained at the same intensity all year round. As well as being deeply boring, the constant pressure and physiological demand on the body

© Getty Images If 26.2 miles just isn't enough, an ultra could be the race for you. Races longer than a marathon, ultras range from 30 miles to hundreds of miles and take place in hundreds of beautiful locations from Sussex to the Sahara

events like marathons and triathlons.Why do I need to carb-load? Your body can only store enough glycogen (energy) to sustain 90 minutes of exercise. After this point, without sufficient extra fuelling you're in danger of running out of energy

ideas to help you fulfil your 2010 potential... Make it a milestoneWhether it's your very first race, the decision to tackle fells, a marathon, an ultra or a triathlon, make 2010 a year to remember by challenging yourself to completing a huge milestone