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.

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.