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MEET THE EXPERTS

RACES FOR BEGINNERS • These novice-friendly events offer an achievable challenge that’ll have you coming back for more…

TRIATHLON ESSENTIALS • Choose your race distance, must-have gear, 12-week training plan, triathlon glossary and much more

TRIATHLON 101 • Before you slip into training attire, you need to know the distances and formats on offer, as well as the challenges and athletes that’ll inspire you to greatness…

ATHLETE INSPIRATION • GB’s elite and age-group army are the best in the world…

MUST-HAVE GEAR • Before you pick up the tri gauntlet and head toward your season’s goals, you’ll need all the gear required to tame a pool-based triathlon. Over to former professional triathlete Eric Harr to ensure you’re kitted up

AERO UPGRADE • So you’ve got the essentials, but what else can you buy to help you go even faster? Coach Joe Beer is your guide

JOIN THE CLUB • Tri clubs are renowned for being friendly and accommodating, but how do some of the UK’s biggest welcome their newbies? And what sort of sessions do they provide? Tim Heming spoke to five to find out…

STARTER SESSIONS • Sample beginner sessions from London Fields’ head coach Tim Smith

FIVE UK TRI CLUBS • Here are a handful of clubs from around the UK to give you an idea of the typical benefits and costs of signing up

YOUR PATH TO SPRINT SUCCESS • Signed up to your first triathlon, but concerned that you might not finish the race? Worry no more with Joe Beer’s 12-week plan…

BEGINNERS’ TRAINING PLAN • Here’s a day-by-day 12-week plan to help newcomers tame their first sprint-distance triathlon…

MAXIMISE RECOVERY • Most focus on hard training but do you give as much thought to your recovery? Joe Friel explains why it’s crucial that you do…

TRI GLOSSARY • Once you’ve got your head around the three disciplines, there’s a whole new language to master. Here’s how to tell a brick from a bonk...

SWIM • The drills and sessions to transform your front crawl, rules of pool-based racing and open-water guidance

SWIMMING MADE EASY • Put off triathlon by the nerve-jangling swim? Fear not. Follow Penny Porter’s 24-week plan and you’ll learn to love the water…

KNOW YOUR POOL TOOLS • Want to improve your swim technique this winter? Then you need to know your pull buoy from your paddle. Tim Heming and Cassie Patten are your guides…

YOUR FIRST WETSUIT • The correct wetsuit for your size and ability will begin your love affair with the open water. Nicola Joyce shows you what to look for in your perfect ’suit

STROKE AND SIGHTING • For triathlon beginners, open-water swimming can be a daunting prospect. Thankfully, Robin Brew is on hand to ease your entry into choppy waters…

SWIMMING IN A WETSUIT • Get it right and you’ll swim 20% quicker in a wetsuit

SWIMMING NAVIGATION • Different sighting methods depending on your ability

RACING RULES • A pool-based triathlon is a good place to learn the ropes, ready for an open-water event. Joe Beer explains the essential pool guidelines

THE PERFECT T1 • The change from swim to bike will elicit a paroxysm of pain and frustration if you don’t plan and practise your changing routine…

BIKE • Achieve the perfect bike set-up, workshop basics, climb like Contador and save minutes in transition

TRI BIKE VS ROAD BIKE • Weighing up the pros and cons of both tri and road bikes is a dilemma that every triathlete must face. But don’t panic. Mark McKay is here to point you in the right bike direction

KNOW YOUR BIKE • Fixing and fettling your bike needn’t be frustrating. With a few bits of kit, anyone can be a workshop wizard. Guy Kesteven gets tooled...