Q: "I completed my first IM distance race last week and found myself completely out of gas on the 15th mile of the marathon, I was also experiencing leg cramps. How many calories do you recommend an athlete intake during race day, and is there such a thing as too many calories on race day?"

The 2007 Lake Placid Ironman sold out in 90 minutes last week, and I luckily got in, after waiting in line from 0630-0900. Our online friends and athletes recovering from the previous evening's finish were not so lucky. By the time that crowd rolled out of bed at 8am and got to a computer, 2007 had come and gone.

Swim: 1:00+ T1: 5:30 Bike: 5:26+ T2: 2:30 Run: 3:25+ Total: 10:01:56 Place(s): 9th AG, 48th OA Outcome: Kona slot through rolldown.

Hiya Mates :) Wanted to stop by and say hello to me fellow countrymnen-women, well sort of.... Crikey, I've lived in so many continents I lose track LOL.. TA Chris -- Piled Higher Deeper: Michigan State University, 2005 --

Coach Wendy writes: Mastering the Ironman... may be a big task, but there are definite ways to make your Ironman training enjoyable and ways to make your Ironman day an awesome one.

For 2006, Ultrafit Associates Rich Strauss (Crucible Fitness) and Patrick McCrann (Performance Training Systems) have teamed up to bring you IronCamp. IronCamp is an instructional and execution focused camp, designed to teach you everything you need to know about training and racing your next Iron distance race.

Ask any IM veteran and they will tell you that the hardest part of the Ironman isn't what happens on race day. The hardest part is actually making it to the starting line. Being ready on race day has a lot more to do with what you've done over the last six months than the type of wheels you have or the terrain you'll encounter on the course.

Im not sure if it's appropriate to ask this on forums but Ive got a vacant room in my apartment here in Brisbane. Id love another athlete to move in considering they probably wouldnt mind my 430 starts, scheduled eating and training and early nigh "Commitment means struggle, it means effort and always sacrifice".

Just wondering if anyone has done this olympic distance race, it's coming up again in the end of march, just looking for some tips on heat, weather, wind and athlete support any info would be sweet Speed Kills. Strength Punishes http://www.myspace.com/100898027

Coach Oliver writes: For most athletes life seems to get busier rather than quieter during the taper period. Despite a reduction in training time and stress, the mind sometimes wants to do much more.