Perhaps the main thing I have learnt this year however is the importance of preparation. Check your diet, get a gait analysis and a bike fit, see a physio and get a knowledgeable person to have a look at your swim stroke. Before you head off down the path of an endurance sport, it is vital to ensure you have the right equipment for you, and that you are developing good habits so you minimise the risk of injury along the way. The whole process takes time, and it is vitally important not to get ahead of yourself and push too hard too soon.