As the days grow shorter and temperatures cool off, we reach peak race season. Weeks, months or years of training culminate for athletes of various levels as they compete in any one of hundreds of marathons or triathlons across the nation. 

On the final countdown to race day, you need to make sure that you're at peak physical and mental condition. To help you prepare, we've compiled all the resources you'll need for your best performance yet, including training and nutrition tips, gear reviews and inspirational stories. 

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Triathlon Tips
• Nail Your Triathlon Weak Sport 
• 7 Race Day Gear Blunders Triathletes Can Avoid 
• Fitness Tip of the Day: Pre-Race Sleep Matters 
• Triathlon Tips: How to Speed Up Your Swim
• Your First Triathlon: What Nobody Tells You
• Setting Up A Road Bike For Triathlon

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Running: Inspiration
• Slideshow: Patagonia International Marathon     
• Bizarre Race Challenges of 2012      
• In It for the Long Haul: Tips from Scott Jurek
• Nikki Kimball Smashes Long Trail Record
• What Makes the Perfect Runner?
• The Slowest Marathon. Ever.   
• Video: The Trail Back from Injury   
• Video: The Race to the Bottom   
• Video: Cross Country Fail

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Running: Injury Prevention
• Are certain footstrikes better for your body?     
• Have Knee Pain? Your Butt Might Be To Blame.
• Dean Karnazes’ Injury-Prevention Tips
• The Cold Hard Truth About Ice Baths

 

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Running: Nutrition Tips
• Fuel for the Fire Inside
• Fitness Tip of the Day: Smarter Carbs
• The Art of Snacking For Endurance Athletes
• Pros’ Favorite No-Pasta Pre-Race Dinners
• Is Spaghetti Killing Your Race Time?

    
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Running: Training & Recovery Tips
• The Three Most Common Tapering Mistakes
• Six Ways CrossFit Benefits Runners
• Single-Leg Drills For Balanced Running
• The Best Kind of Hill Workout: Downhill
• Why A Better Lactate Threshold Means Faster Times
• Run Right: Tips for Cold-Weather Workouts
• Run Right: Find Your Motivation
• Run Right: Change Up Your Workout
• The Importance of Marathon Recovery
• The Four Best Types Of Massage For Runners

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Running: Race!
• Picture This: Train Your Brain to Faster Times
• Does Sex Improve Race Performance?
• Find Your Best Race Weight
• How to: Run Your First 5K or 10K Race
• How to: Prep For Your First Adventure Race
• 10 Best Marathons to Run in America
• Heavy Stuff
• NYC Marathon: Live and in Your Living Room
• Runners Unite to Reclaim Bag-Rights

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Running: Gear
• Review: Polar RCX5 GPS Watch
• Gear Radar: Hydration Packs For Runners
• Fall 2012 Running Shoe Review
• The iPhone App That Could Save Your Life
• 8 Essential Trail Running Accessories
• The Five Best Energy Bars
• Great Gear: The North Face Verto Jacket
• Cool Running
• Run Right: Gear up for the Cold