There has been a lot said about how the Original Hawaiian Iron Man triathlon came to be. A lot of it is completely false. It came into being after a debate over cold beers at the Primo Brewing Company about who was the most fit athlete: was it runners, cyclists, or swimmers? They decided to put it to the test and end the debate. The question would be answered by who finished the triathlon first, or if it was even possible to finish... This book will give you the straight story on how it all came to be by Tom Knoll who was there at the beginning and who finished sixth place in the Hawaiian Iron Man in 1978. The real story about the race in 1978 and it will blow you away. These men had the courage of astronauts, as it had never been attempted before and no one knew if it could be done. The true story is within these pages and it is amazing...

It is time to get out of the easy chair and begin to get the body in shape. "Chasing Caterpillars" is a motivational book for all of us that think that it is too late to get fit. The book is both instructional and motivational, providing insights into how to get motivated to be in shape. Now is the right time to get started. In "Chasing Caterpillars" Jerry Kyckelhahn provides the story of how it can be done. The results of the book have been fascinating. One person did not start training in the triathlon sports but rather said the book was a motivation to get his whole life in order. Others have jumped into the triathlon lifestyle with vigor and have decided that the sport and the wonderful people involved in the sport provide an amazing fitness alternative. Just this year the first Chasing Caterpillars triathlon was held. Over half of the field was composed of first time triathletes. It was fun. So many people of all ages have now gotten motivated by the book that it is safe to say that the book is not only a success but almost required reading for those that have come to believe that they have to accept their own body as worn out and incapable of fitness. You can do it and you can feel better as you get fit.

In "The Relentless Pursuit of Mediocrity: Endurance Triathlons for the Recreational Athlete" (ISBN 0615599761), psychologist and triathlete Brian Goodyear shows how finishing endurance triathlons up to the iron-distance level is a feasible goal, even for the average recreational athlete. Using his own life experience and training strategies, the author shows how with persistence and determination, we are all capable of accomplishing something extraordinary. Blending personal training strategies with his unique life philosophy, the first part of "The Relentless Pursuit of Mediocrity" explores the concept of being an ordinary recreational athlete. Far from being negative, he suggests that mediocrity is something we can embrace and celebrate. In the second part, Goodyear shares his journey from novice triathlete to two-time iron-distance triathlon finisher. The third part maps out a simple, conceptual framework for the recreational athlete to develop his or her own training program for endurance triathlons. The book also includes two appendices with the specific details of Goodyear's personal training schedule, leading up to his finish in Kona, Hawaii in 2006. Unlike many other guides to extreme athletic events, "The Relentless Pursuit of Mediocrity" has a more philosophical theme that is based on the reality that the vast majority of athletes are not destined for greatness. Instead, their true victory lies with accomplishing personal goals and achievements. The book argues that ordinary recreational athletes can come to terms with and, on a personal level, transcend their inherent mediocrity. Both amusing and inspirational, "The Relentless Pursuit of Mediocrity" is an unusual account of personal accomplishment and a real-life training guide for the recreational athlete. "The Relentless Pursuit of Mediocrity: Endurance Triathlons for the Recreational Athlete" is available for sale online at Amazon.com and other channels

Tri Therapy is a memoir of venturing into long-distance running and triathlon, and discovering truths within the race microcosm that translate into the tenets of a healthy, compassionate life. Its chapters include reports from races like the 2,500th anniversary of the original Marathon in Greece and the 140.6-mile Ironman Triathlon, framed with essays digesting what "sport" stands for. Tri Therapy is not just for hard-core athletes. It's about setting goals and seeking balance. It's about people supporting one another. Tri Therapy is for anyone seeking a balanced and happy life.

In 2007, Chrissie Wellington shocked the triathlon world by winning the Ironman World Championships in Hawaii. As a newcomer to the sport and a complete unknown to the press, Chrissie's win shook up the sport. A LIFE WITHOUT LIMITS is the story of her rise to the top, a journey that has taken her around the world, from a childhood in England, to the mountains of Nepal, to the oceans of New Zealand, and the trails of Argentina, and first across the finish line.
Wellington's first-hand, inspiring story includes all the incredible challenges she has faced--from anorexia to near--drowning to training with a controversial coach. But to Wellington, the drama of the sports also presents an opportunity to use sports to improve people's lives.
A LIFE WITHOUT LIMITS reveals the heart behind Wellington's success, along with the diet, training and motivational techniques that keep her going through one of the world's most grueling events.

Rave Reviews: "A masterful job of breaking down the impossible, and making it seem very much within reach if you have dedication, focus, and desire" -- 'Hurricane' Bob Mina, 6-time Ironman Finisher // Ironman Kona, Hawaii. Inspiring. Daunting. Stunning. Humbling. Exhilarating. The greatest triathlon in the world. The Ironman Triathlon World Championship. It all starts in Kona. Ask any triathlete why they took up the sport, and they will reply with one word: Kona. Ask if they want to compete there someday, and the answer will be: yes. Each year, more than 50,000 triathletes race for the chance of qualifying to compete in Kona. Competition is fierce and getting tougher each year, but if you want it bad enough, you can achieve the dream: you can earn the right to Race Kona. If you aspire to go to Kona, here's what you want to know: where can I qualify? What does it take to qualify? How can I do it with a full-time job and family? What kind of training plans are effective? what is it like to race and qualify? What is it like to race in Kona? Again and again and again? This book has it all, and more. Detail about racing, qualifying times. Thorough exploration of three racing seasons where the author qualified for Kona, including training plan strategies, details and results. Beyond theory: this book is defined by real data, real performance, time-tested training and racing perspective. Do you dream of qualifying for Kona? This book shows how the dream comes true.

Are you thinking about getting into triathlon or doing your first race? Have you finished a couple of races and are keen to improve your time?

Do you find the whole sport daunting and confusing? Are you a little intimidated by everybody else who looks like they know what they are doing?

This easy to understand and insightful book is packed with practical ways you can improve and it will help you:

Understand the sport of triathlon "what is triathlon and how does it work?"

Develop a training plan together that simplifies your season

Train effectively so you minimise the risk of getting injured

Stop you making the mistakes which cost a lot of time and money

Make you feel confident when you are on the start line

Decide what race length is best for you from sprint to Ironman

Buy the right triathlon kit to suit your ability and your aspirations

A personal note from the author:

"This book is gathered from years of training and racing but not only from my triathlon experience but from the experience of champions. I have trained with and raced with elite athletes and winners from all over the world but I started not knowing what I was doing and was scared to death when I did my first race. I wish I had this book when I started out. I would have saved myself a lot of heart ache and stress I wrote this to help all triathlon rookies get over their nerves and enjoy this fantastic sport."

"Triathlon for beginners" is the start to finish complete guide which covers all the areas of training and racing including:

Where to start - types of races, what you need to know and where to begin

Jargon buster - helping you understand the terms of the sport so you can understand what people are talking about when they say "T1" or "Brick"

Training rules and techniques

Swimming technique and etiquette

Running technique and how to prevent injury and run faster

Cycling in a pack what to do and what not to do

Transition - how to lay it out, what to bring and how to be effective

Understanding nutrition and why it is key, how best to manage your nutrition and what is best to eat for triathlon training and racing

Race day - what to look out for, how to prepare and what to expect

This guide takes you from start to finish so you can feel confident and comfortable when you train and race.

Here are some of the comments we have had from readers...

I loved this book

I have completed a few triathlons- sprint and Olympic distance. This book really simplified what is important to focus on. There is so much to know and learn that sometimes you feel overwhelmed. It is an easy, entertaining read but packed with good knowledge that made a big difference to my racing.

Charlotte Campbell, World Games triathlon gold medallist

I wish this was around before

I did a number of Triathlons over the last few years. When I first took it up I had to ask people's advice which at best was disjointed and worst, confusing. I also read some very good stuff on the internet, however this was also disjointed and incomplete. This book would have been ideal, as it puts it all together clearly and concisely.

Liam Harrington; sprint triathlete

Are you ready to lose weight, feel better than ever and get out in the world? If so, follow Bill Hammons' advice in The Indoor Triathlete. Training indoors is safer and more consistent than training outdoors. The water is consistently warm. The spin bikes are traffic free. And, you won't be running in the rain. By practicing your swim, bike and run every other day indoors, race day is like every other day for you.

Racing an Iron Distance Triathlon is a one-stop shop for any and all athletes that are racing an Ironman. Whether you are training for your first Ironman or your tenth, this book has something for everyone. Bottom line- the guidance in this book will streamline your Ironman experience, cutting out wasted time in lines and on your feet. Topics included in this book are: 1. Nutrition A comprehensive section on nutrition, starting seven (7) days prior to race day, taking your through the end of the race. This section includes detailed nutritional breakdowns of the most popular nutritional products available to triathletes. Topics such as nutrient distribution, carbohydrate loading and on-course nutrition are covered in great detail, complete with a race tested and proven sample meal plan for carbohydrate loading. 2. Pacing The ultimate guide to pacing an racing zones, to include swimming, cycling and running. With easy testing protocols and corresponding tables, you will know beyond a doubt what your proper swim pace, cycling power output or heart rate and running pace or heart rate should be in order for you to have your best day. 3. Race Site What to expect at the race site, what you need to bring with you and what you need to do before the big day. 4. Equipment and Accessories A comprehensive list of equipment and accessories that you will need for the big day. 5. Transition and Special Needs Bags Another comprehensive description laying out everything that you will need for your special needs and transition bags, along with the logic behind each item.

What you need to know for having a great time in your triathlon. - Expert opinions - Training plans - How to avoid injuries - Nutrition And much more

Lake Placid, upstate New York: the place where dreams come true for elite athletes for nearly 75 years. Host of the Winter Olympics in 1936 and 1980, and the Ironman Triathlon since 1999, the proud city has witnessed the epic, the unexpected and the truly remarkable. The challenging terrain, the beautiful landscapes, the inviting communities and the continuing support for exceptional athletics made Lake Placid, and its surrounding Adirondack towns, the perfect location for a new Race. I've completed 29 Ironman triathlons overall, and my clear favorite is Lake Placid, where I've competed six times. Each race brought different conditions, unexpected challenges, surprise opportunities, different outcomes, and different lessons. During those years, I qualified for Kona twice, but also struggled to finish on occasion. The lessons learned paved the way to my best Ironman ever, and in this book, they will illustrate everything you need to know about racing in Lake Placid. The experiences are all presented here, from race details and essentials, race experience reports from my races in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2007 to detailed training plan and strategy reviews, plus tips for finishing your best Ironman triathlon. Ready to experience Ironman USA Lake Placid? Buckle up, it's quite a ride.

"This book helped me to visualize and prepare for Ironman Wisconsin . . . A great book and a great idea." -- 5-Star Amazon Review // Each year, more than 2,500 athletes converge on Madison to participate in Ironman Wisconsin, one of the most popular triathlons in the world. The race features a 2.4 mile swim in Lake Monona, a 112 mile bike ride through Wisconsin farmland, capped by a 26.2 mile marathon run through the University of Wisconsin campus to a finish line at the state capital building steps. It's a much tougher race than meets the eye, and those who underestimate the course pay dearly on race day. The triathletes who succeed are those who are well-prepared for anything Ironman Wisconsin tosses at them. Better be ready. This book delivers extensive perspectives on racing in all conditions, course maps and secrets, photos, detailed metrics, advice, cautions, and much more. Planning to race Ironman Wisconsin? Everything you need to know is here.

When you compete in an Ironman Triathlon, one of the toughest endurance events on the planet, you should expect the unexpected, and you'll get it. Better be prepared: sun or rain, lightning or wind, freezing temperatures or searing heat, smooth sailing or equipment breakdowns, bonking on the bike or racing with a smile to the end. This book takes the reader deep into the heart of the Ironman racing experience, and tells exactly what it's like to race from start to finish, through just about any situation, to achieve the triathlete's ultimate goal: to become an Ironman. This book delivers the experience in race reports from 22 Ironman races -- in Austria, Germany, Switzerland, New Zealand, Canada, and Florida, Lake Placid and Wisconsin -- completed over a 10-year period. What can you expect in your Ironman Triathlon experience? The answer is here.

UPDATED: Iron Ambition chronicles a CEO's mid-life odyssey from corporate excess and sloth, to completing the Ironman Triathlon. This is NOT a book for those looking for training advice. It is the story of all the mistakes made trying to do too much, too soon, and wasting thousands of dollars on unnecessary equipment that made little difference in the end. This book is really targeted toward mid-career, 6-figure executives who struggle with the daily battle of balancing work and family while harboring the guilt of broken promises and delayed dreams. The wildly-mixed reviews reflect the disappointment of athletes who were seeking training advice or who misinterpreted the author's intention of helping others avoid his costly mistakes by candidly acknowledging his near-obsession with Ironman and how this costly pursuit took over much of his life. Since completing the Ironman, the author has also completed the ULTRAMAN, a 3-day stage race format triathlon consisting of a 6.2 mile swim, 260 miles of cycling and a 52-mile double marathon run on the final day.

This is the story of a non-motorized circumnavigation of the earth. The author made his way around the world in stages over several years using whatever means of forward progress were appropriate to the terrain and season. En route he walked, ran. bicycled, mushed dogs, climbed, kayaked, sailed and swam, and in the process became the first person to swim from Russia to Alaska.

Have you ever wondered how a triathlete can survive for 140.6 miles racing the Ford Ironman World Championship race in Hawaii? How about an ordinary person who has the luck of winning a lottery slot to race with the best athletes in the world in this race. Dale Tweedy did just that. His book gives an up close and personal account of what the race looks like and feels like from the athlete's perspective as he battles the harsh winds and heat of the big Island. Part II of the book is a copy of his blog he kept in the months preceding the race in Hawaii. This part of the book gives a detailed overview of the grueling training and preparation he goes through, and the challenges he faces, as he prepares to race in the 2008 Ford Ironman World Championship.

Most books written about the sport of triathlon are pretty serious - Triathlon 101, Triathlon Training for Women, or Triathlon Training on Four Hours a Week. When I began training to become a triathlete, I looked for books that related to my life situation but could find nothing like Triathlon Training for the Married, Sleep-Deprived Father of Three or How to Do an Ironman without Training at All. When I decided to write a book about the sport of triathlon and the Ironman experience, my goals were simple: provide myself with another excuse to skip some long training runs, address significant questions that a triathlete contemplates when sitting in a porta-potty before an Ironman race: Is it really necessary to put Vaseline on my nipples before the run? How can I tell if my kidneys have failed? What should I say to the people just coming out of T2 as I'm finishing the race? Give something back to the sport, which has given me an appreciation for the delicate art of leg shaving, the joy of getting up at 5:00 a.m. on a regular basis, and that persistent feeling that no matter how much training I have done, I haven't done enough.

Rafer Johnson's story is the classic American dream: hard work leading to success, honor, and glory. Here, he openly writes about his humble beginnings in an obscure African American Texas ghetto, his growing up in the all-white, sun-drenched Californian town of Kingsburg, and his time at UCLA as the president of the student body and an acclaimed athlete. His talents brought him to dramatic athletic duels in Moscow, Melbourne, and Rome, and to the glamour of acting, broadcasting, and politics in Hollywood, Washington, D.C., and the rest of the nation.
Structured around the ten events of the decathlon, Rafer's memoir vividly describes an exceptional life. It introduces remarkable people, both unknown and celebrated (the Kennedy family; Gloria Steinem; Bill Bright, founder of Campus Crusade; Tom Brokaw; and others), who befriended Rafer and affected his life. It tells of obstacles and tragedies--crippling injuries, an alcoholic father, the assassination of his close friend Robert F. Kennedy--and what it takes to overcome them. With tact, integrity, and acute observation, Rafer Johnson shares the intimate moments that have shaped his life and the lives of others."--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title."

Whether just getting interested in triathlons or a multi-sport veteran, readers of this new handbook will get tuned up and stoked to reach any performance goal! Author Terri Schneider explains how to train for a first triathlon, as well as how to formulate an ongoing experience or a longer-term race regimen. Basic techniques for building a foundation of success are accompanied by lessons in heart-rate levels and suggestions for how to integrate a training schedule into daily life. From the early stages of training and making decisions on what gear to buy through to race day and beyond, Schneider covers everything from nutritional information to endurance issues, mental strategies, stretching, setting up transition areas, off-season training, and more. This title includes a foreword by Iron Man Hall-of-Famer Scott Tinley. It is written with a fresh, non-technical yet authoritative approach. It provides the latest-and-greatest developments in the industry. The author is a widely-respected athlete and coach.

Among the most difficult athletic events a person can attempt, the iron-distance triathlon - a 140.6 mile competition - requires an intense prerace training program. This preparation can be as much as twenty hours per week for a full year leading up to a race. In Iron Dads, Diana Tracy Cohen focuses on the pressures this extensive preparation can place on families, exploring the ways in which men with full-time jobs, one or more children, and other responsibilities fit this level of training into their lives. An accomplished triathlete as well as a trained social scientist, Cohen offers much insight into the effects of endurance-sport training on family, parenting, and the sense of self. She conducted in-depth interviews with forty-seven iron-distance competitors and three prominent men in the race industry, and analyzed triathlon blog postings made by Iron Dads. What sacrifices, Cohen asks, are required - both at home and at work - to cross the iron-distance finish line? What happens when work, family, and sport collide? Is it possible for fathers to meet their own parenting expectations while pursuing such a time-consuming regimen? With the tensions of family economics, how do you justify spending $5,000 on a racing bike? At what point does sport become work? Cohen discovered that, by fostering family involvement in this all-consuming effort, Iron Dads are able to maintain a sense of themselves not only as strong, masculine competitors, but also as engaged fathers. Engagingly written and well researched, Iron Dads provides a penetrating, firsthand look at extreme endurance sports, including practical advice for aspiring racers and suggestions for making triathlons more family-friendly.

Chrissie Wellington is the world's No 1 female Ironman triathlete, a four times World Champion, having recently won the her fourth title in October 2011 and the World Record holder. In 2009 she was voted 'Sunday Times Sportswoman of the Year' and in 2010 was awarded the MBE. She is the undefeated champion of Triathlon, having won thirteen Ironman titles from thirteen races. She set a new World Record of 8 hours19:13 at Quelle Roth Germany in 2010, which slashed over 14 minutes from the previous record and where she was only beaten by six men. She went on to improve this time by another minute in the 2011 race. She also set a new world record for the fastest ever Ironman sanctioned event at Ironman South Africa in April 2011. Chrissie has displayed unprecedented levels of stamina, strength and competitiveness in becoming Ironman World Champion in only her second event at Ironman level. Her victory in Kona, Hawaii in 2007 finishing five minutes ahead of her nearest rival was described as the 'biggest upset in Ironman history' and 'a remarkable feat, deemed to be near impossible task for any athlete racing as a rookie at their first Ironman World Championships'. She defended her World title in Hawaii in 2008 and again in 2009. However a bout of severe sickness on the eve of the 2010 event meant she was unable to make the start line to defend her title. She bounced back in 2011 to retain her title in her most fiercely competitive race to date, which adds another fantastic chaper to her extraordinary sporting career. This is the remarkable story of how a Norfolk girl - a 'sporty kid, swimming, playing hockey, running, but never excelling and always more interested in the social side of the sports scene' - became a world champion.