should you join the crowd?Many triathletes are runners looking for something new to do. Once they try triathlon or triathlon-style cross-training, they often have an unexpected result: they become better runners. Heidi Wilson, 30, from London believes

bilateral and catch up drills. CYCLE-RUN BRICKS: Warm up: cycle 10 minutes and run 5 minutes. Main: 4 x [8mins bike + 4 minutes run]. Cool down: 5 minutes easy jog. Choice Day: but keep it fun and aim to feel strong, not over-trained, at the end

-8 x 2 lengths easy SWIM (in wetsuit and preferably open water) Go with a training partner for safety, make sure it's shallow water, acclimatise 5 minutes, then 10 mins continuous swim SWIM 8 x 2 lengths easy (with drills), then 20 lengths time

Wed Power walk/run for 30 minutes easy Power walk/run for 30 minutes easy Power walk/run for 35 minutes easy Power walk/run for 35 minutes easy Thu Rest Day Rest Day Strength train for 20 minutes Strength train

.The number of weekly runs you should cut depends on the number of swim and bike sessions you want to add. This number, in turn, depends on whether you are training for a triathlon or just cross-training to improve your overall fitness. If you're cross-training

're hopping on your bike to prepare for a triathlon or just to diversify your training, you can expect to become a better runner as a result.To reap all the benefits of cycling, however, you first need a bike. Will that old clunky machine in the back

Whether you're serious about racing your first triathlon or you just want to do some cross-training in the pool, there are two types of swimming workouts that offer the most benefits for runners. The first is swimming laps, or endurance swimming, where you

If you think you're not ready to face the challenge of your first triathlon, fear not. We asked coach Ralph Hydes (ralph-hydes.com) to design a manageable 10-week programme for sprint and Olympic distance. Ralph has been a personal trainer since

Welcome to a collection of RW's articles about triathlon. If you'd like to see something specific that isn't covered here, do drop us a line. meanwhile, read on – and race on!Training programmesWhen you’re training for three sports, it can be tricky

Most runners who are considering their first triathlon can cope with the cycling aspect of the event. It's the swimming that scares the life out of them. But it shouldn't, as long as they know the basics. "Gifted swimmers simply have a better