Product Description

First published twenty years ago, this book has continued to sell to beginners and athletes by showing them how they can cross the finishing line happily and healthily, and have fun doing so. This twentieth-anniversary edition features a friendly, wide format; the latest advice on equipment, race choice and preparation; and Dr. Jonas's programmes that will train you for standard-distance duathlons and triathlons.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #142860 in Books
• Published on: 2006-08-11
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 256 pages

Amazon.co.uk Review
As a professor of preventative medicine and a regular triathlon participant, the author of Triathloning for Ordinary Mortals, Steven Jonas, is in the best position to offer advice on this enthralling subject. As Jonas says, "This book is for you if you are an average recreational endurance athlete", who is looking to expand their "recreational" activity to something greater. Jonas is also the author of The Essential Triathlete, so approaches the subject from a position of ample experience.

The book covers the triathlon from its origins, through to recommended training schemes, diet and equipment. The training programs suggested are well balanced and thought out,and aimed towards achieving realistic results, regardless of your athletic ability. The diet and nutrition sections provide useful charts to help you monitor your food consumption. The final sections of the book are geared towards actual races--how to prepare yourself and what techniques to use to maximise your performance.

Jonas draws from a great number of reference sources to bring weight to what he says in Triathloning for Ordinary Mortals, and to great effect. The book is effectively written and factually sound in its advice. However, the book is written for a US audience and this is prevalent throughout, though having said that, this doesn't detract from the solid fact base from which this book was spawned. In a market that doesn't cater heavily for the sport, Triathloning for Ordinary Mortals is a great handbook for anyone participating in or starting the sport, as well as anyone interested in improving their physical fitness. --Chris Hall

Customer Reviews

Great book for the first timer
I used this book to help me train and race 4 sprint and one Olympic triathlons in 2003, including the Olympic distance Windsor Triathlon. Although active, I was not fit and had never even contemplated any endurance sport and my last serious exercise (other than skiing) was more than 10 years ago.

This book was ideal for me; I wanted take the training seriously but had no ambitions to become a top performing athlete (especially at the age of 39). I followed the 13 week program and it did what it said on the label - in fact my performance was much better than I could have dreamt of when I first had the crazy idea of doing a triathlon.
It also covers all other aspects of preparing for the race. And yes, I will use the book again to help me prepare for my 2004 races.