Building the finishAfter closing the roads in town, the stands are built the day before the race

and exercise psychologist at Sheffield Hallam University, to develop strategies that will enable him to reach his Ironman goal.This summer he'll take part in small triathlons to become used to the atmosphere at races. "Rob is helping me to develop strategies

ironmate.co.uk, coaches triathletes, runs a triathlon training camp at Tri-Topia in France, marshals at Big Cow races, and is writing a book about triathlon. He somehow fits all this activity around his unofficial role as the UK’s most prolific triathlete

By the time you reach the run leg of a triathlon, your breathing may be as ragged as your style, but both will benefit if you can find a regular rhythm. "When you're running smoothly, your breathing should be smooth," says Laura Denham-Jones, a yoga

As dawn broke at the 2010 Ford Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii, news travelled around the crowds and competitors that Chrissie Wellington had withdrawn from the race. Our first reaction was disbelief, followed by sadness for the super

Penticton, which is where IM Canada takes place, so there's a big triathlon community to train with. I raced  Ironman Canada six weeks ago, so I haven't had much time to recover or get into my training routine again. I've been here for four days. It's better

female in the Himalaya 100-mile stage race in the Indian Himalayas, and in 2006 I was first lady at the North Pole Marathon. I completed my first Ironman-distance triathlon last year, and hope to run this year's London Marathon the week after I return

Hills are hard. That's why many of us run or ride around - rather than over - them in training. You might even choose races that are flat in an effort to keep your hill time to a minimum. But the truth is tackling hills will make you a stronger

'd expected and I did not have time for all my energy drink. Lessons learned."Helen Jenkins, 2008 ITU World Champion"I once had a problem at the Windsor Triathlon with heat exhaustion - I hadn't drunk enough the day before the race, which was freakishly hot. I

-important endurance element of your training.✘    Classes are usually between 45 to 60 minutes – too short to develop endurance for all but sprint triathlons.✘    Spinning studios often become hot, even during lower intensity sessions, leaving you feeling drained