In this and the past two issues, Cooking Light has given you the tools to master the components of a triathlon--running, swimming, and cycling. The next step seems logical to me: Put them all together and conquer a sprint-distance triathlon, which includes a half-mile swim, 12-mile bike ride, and 3.1-mile run.

I think the triathlon is the most exciting sport there is, and, in a way, I've grown up with it. My first triathlon was around Thanksgiving in San Francisco in 1976--before anyone knew how to spell the word triathlon. There were no aid stations or transition areas (I went to the trunk of my car to change shoes for the run). The event comprised a 9-mile bike ride, a 4-mile run, and a 1,200-meter swim in a very chilly San Francisco Bay (with no wet suit!). My prize for winning the race: a turkey. Needless to say, I was hooked.

Since then, triathlons have grown to welcome athletes of all types, from everyday people to elite competitors. If you're ready to tackle a "tri," I've provided a schedule to guide you through the next six weeks of training so you can learn to combine swimming, cycling, and running for one big event. I also offer some tips to manage the transition from one sport to the next on race day. Doing three sports in one event might seem intimidating, but you'll soon find that cross-training for a triathlon will get you in better shape than ever. The variety will keep you from getting bored, and training for three sports allows you to use your muscles in a variety of ways for a stronger, more balanced body. And there's nothing more exhilarating than crossing the finish line of your first triathlon.

Dave Scott is a six-time winner of Hawaii's Ironman Triathlon. He owns a fitness consulting business for corporations and athletes in Boulder, Colorado. He can be contacted at (www.davescottinc.com).