Gawd, I must be old. Swimathon, the annual swimming event that raises money for children's charities, is 20 years old this year - and I've barely got over the shame of having to be fished out with the pole after my rather over-ambitious entry as a Brownie. These days you can get all kinds of useful training tips from the website. The event takes place at pools across the country between March 23 and 26 - you can pledge to do 1,500m, 2,500m or the big 5km on your own, or enter as part of a team.

· To find out more, visit swimathon.org or call 0845 367 0036.

Support for all

With three months' intense training under their belts, many entrants for this year's London Marathon are at the walking wounded stage by now. Mueller promises to come to the rescue with a range of supports to ease various classic problems, from iliotibial band syndrome to Achilles tendonitis and shin splints. I have to admit, I've never seen any evidence that proves these devices work, but even a bit of psychological support is welcome when the big day is just seven weeks away.

· Available from sports stores, 1000mile.co.uk, or call 01923 242233.

Fruit power

As well as being low GI and rich in vitamin C and fibre, it seems grapefruit can help your heart, too. In a recent study, published in the Journal Of Agricultural And Food Chemistry, people with high blood cholesterol who were given the equivalent of a grapefruit a day saw a significant reduction in cholesterol, particularly in triglyceride levels, which are associated with heart disease. But this is one occasion when blonds (blond grapefruits, that is) don't have more fun. Subjects who were given red grapefruits saw greater improvement in their cholesterol levels than those on the pale variety.

Best foot forward

If you are the kind of person who likes to customise everything you own - yes, you, with the under-car LED strobe lighting and half a dozen sets of wheels for your fancy bike - you might want to get your hands on a pair of the new Adidas TUNIT football boots, out next weekend. This self-assemble footwear comes with an upper, a chassis (sole) and three sets of studs for different surfaces. You can also buy additional parts separately - with the potential to have a different configuration every week of the year. Blimey - the match would be over by the time I'd decided what to wear.

· TUNIT boot, £120, call 0870 240 4204 or visit adidas.com/football