The Eton Sprints will take place on 23 May next year, sending athletes on a 750m swim in the famous rowing lake, followed by a 21.2km bike and a 5km run. This year, the three top finishers all posted sub-1hr times.

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To secure your spot at the Eton Sprints, head to www.humanrace.co.uk/triathlon.

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She’s kindly agreed to join us for a live Q&A at 7.30pm tonight (Wednesday 29 October) to field your questions!

Whether it’s training issues, what went through her mind on the Queen K highway or something else entirely, send them in to [email protected]

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(Main image: Paul Phillips)

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The Paul Smith 531 collection uses high-performance Swiss-made Schoeller 3xDRY fabric to fend off water while wicking moisture away from the body, and insulation and breathability is provided by 100% New Zealand Merino wool layers. Windproof front panels on items such as the gilet offer a shield against the driving wind.

Bright orange is a recurrent theme for many outer pieces like the gilets and jackets, along with subtle reflective stripes and reflective branding, whilst elsewhere there’s different shades of stealth black, dark purple and petrol blue.

To mark the launch, British cyclist and previous Paul Smith collaborator David Millar has been recruited to star in a launch film in which a group of riders puts the new clothing range through its paces.

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For more info on the new collection head to the Paul Smith 531 website.

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Replying to a 220 reader’s question in our live Q&A last night on what her next goals will be in triathlon, she said: “My goal has always been to try and find my potential in this sport and particularly in Kona. I still don’t feel that I have reached my ceiling and while I feel that way will continue to return to Kona and see how fast I can go! You can never have too many world titles.”

She also admitted that she feels the pressure improve her swim and bike to the point where they match her stellar run (Rinny reached T2 more than 14mins behind the leader in Kona this year), saying: “Definitely don’t want to find myself that far back off the bike again anytime soon.”

Mental toughness

Reader Stephen Collins asked what many of us were wondering – just how does she push through the pain barrier? What are her mental strategies?

“Honestly it’s become second nature to push through the struggles in training and in racing. We as endurance athletes are masters at pain management. I don’t have any super secrets here, just the fact that I couldn’t look myself in the mirror if I gave into the pain.

“It does help to focus on the little things when the going get’s really tough..  breathing, pacing, hydrating & fueling properly.. Fill your mind with productive thoughts and there will be little room to focus on the pain.”

Favourite run workouts and nutrition

Another 220 reader wanted to know – what’s her favourite run workout to get ready for Kona?

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“Don’t tell my coach I told you this and it’s just between you and me right…  I love a set of 20 x 3mins on the treadmill or 20 x 800m on the track. When I can nail this session and still feel fine at the end of the session I know I am getting close to Kona shape.”

On the subject of nutrition, ultrarunner Ruth Goddard in Kent wanted to know if Rinny has days off in terms of nutrition, and what her favourite treats are. “Us IM athletes love our treats and like you ultra-marathoners have earned them,” Rinny replied. “I eat ice cream most days and at least one glass of wine per day..

“Actually there isn’t much that’s off limits during the season. Half the battle is keeping the weight on when you are racking up the training hours. The only time I do have a restriction is about 6-8 weeks out form Kona.  I cut all wine and ice cream from my diet. It’s more a mental shift that helps get me into race mode.”

And finally, one bike kit question came in from a fellow Felt IA owner – why didn’t she use electronic Di2 shifting in Hawaii? “Well you don’t really need electronic groupo for Kona since there isn’t much out of the saddle climbing – plus I am a proud Zipp/SRAM athlete and am patiently waiting for them to release their electronic TT sets. Great choice on bike by the way – the IA is by far the best bike I have ever ridden.”

(Images: Paul Phillips)

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Thanks to everyone who sent in questions, and to Mirinda for kindly agreeing to take part!

Athletes struck up a rendition of ‘Happy Birthday’ on the start line to mark the occasion, with 220’s Matt Baird arriving just in time after meeting heavy traffic on his way there. Other athletes lining up included Mark Kleanthous, who took part in the first ever edition. Racers set off at a steady clip in calm but cold conditions for the first run – a 12km loop of Box Hill.

Andy Greenleaf led the way into transition after finishing the first run in 43mins, giving himself a lead of almost 2mins over nearest rivals Andrius Jaksevicius and Dan Gaffney. The heavens then opened for the 38km bike, a three-lap loop of the run course. 

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Greenleaf was overtaken on the bike by Chris Witcombe as they headed into transition again, but managed to wrest back the lead after posting a faster time for the second 12km run, finishing in 2:37:38. Jaksevicius came second with Anthony Webb claiming third place.

The women’s race proved to be equally dramatic with Lucie Custance giving herself a 5min gap over nearest chaser Frankie Snare going into T1. She increased the gap to nearly 10mins during the bike, and returned to transition still in the lead with Anna Sykes-Brown of Optima Racing Team chasing for second. 

Custance was around 2mins slower for her second run leg – still fast enough to claim the win in 3:03:49, with Sykes-Brown and Nici Cahusac coming second and third respectively. For the full results head here.

Next up for Human Race is WildMan on 22nd November, the first of the 2014/15 Off-Road Series events. Following this is IceMan on 7th February and MudMan on 7th March. 

(All images – Matt Alexander)

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Did you race the BallBuster last Saturday? Let us know in the comments below!

With that in mind, we asked our readers on Facebook – who was your good Samaritan this season and why? Here’s what we got back:

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Who would you like to thank for their outstanding kindness? Let us know in the comments!

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20-page Kona special: including men’s and women’s race reports, and we chat to Dave Scott and Mark Allen about Iron War

Race your first Ironman in 2015: 6-month training plan plus key sessions from British legend Spencer Smith

Cannondale Slice launch: we attend the big unveiling on Big Island

Pool tools: how to use them to sharpen your stroke technique, plus a 1hr pool tool sesh

Tested: Garmin’s new Forerunner 920XT; four turbo trainers; eight bike jackets; and more

PLUS win a Mango road bike and tri kit worth £850

Find 220 Triathlon on sale at newsagents across the UK, and the digital edition can be picked up via the iTunes store, Google Play and Zinio.

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Bonus digital content this month includes: Dave Scott and Mark Allen chat Iron War; Joe Beer details a 45min strength-training gym sesh; watch race highlights from Hever Castle Tri; three winter turbo trainer session vids

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Held on Saturday 8 November, the race involved one 5km run loop, followed by a 10km bike stage, finishing with a 3.4km run.

The men’s race was won by Matt Dewis (M20-24) in 1:17:42, with James Walker (M25-29) and Roger Fowkes (M40-44) collecting silver and bronze.

Louise Fox (F30-34) won the women’s race in 1:33:06, with Jessica Roberts (F25-29) and Kirsty Vogan (F25-29) taking second and third places respectively.

Full results can be found here.

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Were you racing in Sherwood Pines last weekend? Let us know in the comments below!

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Had a lot of fun @Bahamas_UWC w these guys @CaroWozniacki @serenawilliams @WillStevens_ & our coach Mike

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