The ideal resource for forty-plus athletes who seek faster times and fewer injuries More than half a million Americans, and millions more worldwide, attempt a marathon every year. Around half are forty years old or older--athletes whose passion increasingly turns to frustration as they mature: slower finishing times and more injuries. And yet, until now, there has been no book specifically for this audience. In "Mastering the Marathon, " champion forty-plus endurance athlete and trainer Don Fink sets forth programs for anyone over forty--and for those who enter the sport after turning forty--to prove that the challenge of a marathon is not too difficult, that the dream is not impossible. Setting out from the premise that the training methods that work for younger athletes no longer work for the same athletes in their forties, fifties, and sixties, Fink presents exciting new training methods and step-by-step action plans that result in faster times, fewer injuries, and more enjoyment for the forty-plus marathoner. Including photos and profiles of successful older athletes, "Mastering the Marathon" also provides an illustrated exercise program for core and functional strength, ways to avoid common training and racing mistakes, recovery methods unique to forty-plus athletes, secrets to staying injury-free, and much more. Praise for author's previous book, "Be IronFit" "Most how-to books are too technical or too shallow. Don Fink manages to pen a unique combination of information, anecdotes, and readability." --Scott Tinley, two-time Ironman World Champion

Why is the Half Iron-Distance the most popular triathlon distance? Because it is the perfect length for busy athletes with demanding career and family responsibilities. Full Iron-Distance races require such painstaking planning and sacrifice that it's difficult to keep life in balance. The Half Iron-Distance is accessible, while remaining challenging. Also known as the "70.3" for the sum of its 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike ride, and 13.1 mile run, the half-iron triathlon is not simply a race for which an athlete can use a full-iron training regimen chopped in half. Doing so would in no way approach maximizing an athlete's performance. The races are performed at completely different intensity levels, with completely different approaches. As a result, the training is completely different. "IronFit Secrets to Half Iron-Distance Triathlon Success "does for the half-iron what "Be IronFit" has done for the full-iron. It provides three sixteen-week training programs--Competitive, Intermediate, and "Just Finish"--and details everything an athlete needs to know to successfully prepare for and maximize performance at this racing distance. In as little as four months, any athlete can be physically and mentally ready for the world's most popular triathlon challenge.

Providing exactly what the fastest growing segment of the triathlon world yearns for, Melanie and Don Fink have created a complete training guide for women triathletes with highly efficient, easy-to-follow, multi-distance training programs. Women encounter all the same challenges as men in their triathlon training and racing, but there are a host of issues unique to them, issues about which most men don't have a clue. From the stay-at-home mom to the professional woman, female triathletes face societal expectations, and unique physical and emotional concerns. Until now, there has been never been a go-to source of information and guidance. "IronFit Triathlon Training for Women "arms the woman triathlete with everything she needs to know to persevere and lays out exact step-by-step training programs to help her to achieve her goals. This book includes three training programs designed for women at the Sprint/Standard (a/k/a "Olympic") Distance, Half Iron-Distance, and Full Iron-Distance. Each program is presented at three levels: Competitive, Intermediate, and "Just-Finish." The reader can select the program for the race distance she wants to train for and the exact level, based on her individual competitiveness, experience, and available training time.

The third edition of the best Ironman triathlon training book in the market, this updated volume contains time-efficient training methods that have been honed over the years and have been proved to aid anyone in achieving their athletic dreams-from beginners to experienced competitors. This edition contains all new training plans, new swim sessions, new athlete profiles, and state-of-the-art flexibility and core strength regimens. Be Iron Fit contains: * The essential workouts with exercise photography * The training cycle * Core training * 30-week training programs * Effective time management * The principle of gradual adaptation * Effective heart-rate training * Proper technique * Equipment tips * Race and pre-race strategies * Mental training * Effective goal setting and race selection * Nutrition * And much more.

Fully illustrated with depictions of proper exercise technique, this book contains exciting strength training programs based on sport (e.g., triathlon, running, cycling, swimming) and levels from beginner to advanced. For the marathon runner, triathlete, duathlete, distance swimmer, or cyclist, these programs will complement "any other" training regimen an athlete follows. Written without confusing jargon, "IronFit(R) Stregth Training.".. provides concise and easy-to-follow information.Don and Melanie Fink of IronFit(R) have coached hundreds of athletes over several decades at all levels, from weekend warriors to world champions. Their innovative approaches to strength training and nutrition not only complement an athlete's sport-specific training, but they do so in the most time-efficient and enjoyable way possible. Multi-sport and multi-leveled, this book provides 27 specific program schedules - 9 sports and 3 levels each to give readers: 1) A progressive strength and core training program for their specific sport and level. 2) A mind and body preparation program to maximize benefits. 3) A traveling strength and core program for travel with little or no equipment. 4) A fueling and hydration routine to maximize performance before, during, and after competition. 5) A healthy eating and lifestyle plan.

Co-authors of "Imagine That," Don and Nikki celebrated their 50th anniversary in 2009. Together, through a unique combination of corporate merger, corporate sponsorships and their close relationship with persons of influence, they were placed in a position, which afforded them both the timely, once in a lifetime opportunity to witness a period of rapid growth in the "Sport of Auto Racing." Their story covers a broad spectrum of some little known events. A range of "heartfelt," "heartbreak," "accomplishment," "failure," "uses," "abuses," "tragedy," "glory." "Imagine That," recounts, "how it was," in realm of activities encircling NASCAR, USAC, NHRA and SCCA. The personal experiences Don and Nikki share are truly amazing. Reading it will cause you numerous moments of "awe," concluding simply, "Imagine That"!

Co-authors of "Imagine That," Don and Nikki celebrated their 50th anniversary in 2009. Together, through a unique combination of corporate merger, corporate sponsorships and their close relationship with persons of influence, they were placed in a position, which afforded them both the timely, once in a lifetime opportunity to witness a period of rapid growth in the "Sport of Auto Racing." Their story covers a broad spectrum of some little known events. A range of "heartfelt," "heartbreak," "accomplishment," "failure," "uses," "abuses," "tragedy," "glory." "Imagine That," recounts, "how it was," in realm of activities encircling NASCAR, USAC, NHRA and SCCA. The personal experiences Don and Nikki share are truly amazing. Reading it will cause you numerous moments of "awe," concluding simply, "Imagine That"!