Product Description

Not Normal Behaviour – From Novice To Ultra-Distance Triathlete is an entertaining account of the highs and lows of training to compete in the ultimate triathlon challenge – the Ironman; a 2.4 mile swim, a 112 mile bike ride and then a marathon.
The story starts in June 2000 when, disillusioned by the level of challenge and adventure in life, Stuart, with one novice triathlon and a London Marathon finish to his name, decided to set himself a seemingly impossible and insane goal – to race an Ironman.
He knew little about the event, other than the distances. He didn’t know anyone who had done one. He had no idea of the training schedule, nutrition or preparation required and more critically, whether he would succeed. It all seemed so far from where he was. And that simply was the appeal. He felt compelled and so set out to find out whether he had what it would take.
This is not a How to Race an Ironman training book. Instead it is a personal and often funny account of a dreamer who found out how to the hard way.
Not Normal Behaviour relives an extraordinarily rich year of setbacks, adversity and harsh lessons, as Stuart, discovers what it takes to race an Ironman. With little regard for his well being he plunges head long into murky lakes, raging rivers and unforgiving seas; he rides, buys, builds, crashes and occasionally races bikes; he slogs round marathons, busts his balls in winter races and lurches from elation to disaster as he builds to his day of reckoning. He is beset by constant challenges but always figures a way through. Against a backdrop of heavy metal concerts, Hell’s Angels parties, holding down a job, keeping his friends close and his marriage intact, Stuart lives his dream.
Not Normal Behaviour is written from the perspective of an average sportsman, rather than a world class athlete. It will appeal to anyone who keeps fit, goes to the gym, runs, cycles, swims or wonders whether they may have the metal to finish an Ironman. Even if you don’t, it’s a hugely enjoyable adventure.
This is a book for the armchair athlete, written by an armchair athlete, that may just inspire you to question your own level of challenge.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #236858 in Books
• Published on: 2005-02-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 204 pages

Synopsis
Not Normal Behaviour is the personal and often funny account of the author's inspirational journey; the highs and lows, the lessons learned, the sheer determination required and the roller-coaster ride he took to become an ultra-distance triathlete. This book is about turning the volume up on life and single-mindedly setting out to achieve the perceived impossible.

From the Inside Flap
Bored with his somewhat conventional lifestyle and frustrated at merely reading about the adventures of others, Stuart set himself the challenge of taking part in one of sport’s most gruelling events; an Ironman.
With little experience in the world of triathlon, the challenge was huge – to swim 2.4 miles, cycle 112 miles and then run a marathon seemed a ridiculous thing to do. But then it beat weekend suburban landscape gardening projects.
Despite countless setbacks, injuries, the weather, his own naivety and downright stupidity, Stuart fought his way to the start line of his first Ironman.
Not Normal Behaviour is the personal and often funny account of his inspirational journey; the highs and lows, the lessons learned, the sheer determination required and the roller-coaster ride he took to become an ultra-distance triathlete. This book is about turning the volume up on life and single-mindedly setting out to achieve the perceived impossible.

About the Author
Stuart was born in November 1973 in Stirling, Scotland. At the age of 14, he became obsessed with sport and it has remained a passion ever since.
Many, including his wife, would say that he has an addictive personality. From a chance place in the 1999 London Marathon and a last minute entry into a short distance triathlon in the same year, an insatiable desire grew to take on the seemingly impossible – to race an Ironman triathlon.
Despite the garage of gear he has amassed and the hours dedicated to his passion, Stuart is far from the heady elite ranks. He is a reassuringly average athlete; balancing a job, a family and his obsession. He’s far from a podium finisher; he’s one of us, the cheering crowd.
His first book, Not Normal Behaviour, is a personal and often funny account of his roller coaster ride to fulfil his dream to become an Ironman triathlete.

Customer Reviews

Good story - but who published it?
As someone currently training for his first triathlon I was keen to read about the experiences of a normal guy taking on the Ironman and this book is exactly that. What I wasn't expecting was the quality of the writing and editing. It reads as if written by an amateur writer doing his best to be wry, amusing and original but actually not succeeding terribly well. The copy editing is appalling - page one included 'per say' for example. The funniest bit in the book was when the cliches of the writing combined with the bad editing to give us a description of spring that included "lambs gambling in the fields" - priceless! Apart from the contents, the standard of the book's cover made me suspicious and I looked up the publisher's website - UPSO provide a self publishing service to authors - i.e. what is sometimes called 'vanity publishing'. As a customer buying a product I expect certain standards in terms of quality - both of the writing and the book itself and this book does not meet the standards I expect for a full-price paperback. I think customers should know what they are buying. Having said that I am full of admiration for what the author has achieved as a triathlete!

What is normal???
Reading the other reviews I'm suprised some people are negative in respect of Stuart's 'previous' athletic background. Believe me - regardless of whatever your background - going from sprint distance to ironman in such a short space a time is an admirable achievement. Especially reading Stuart's first encounter with open water swimming (which i certainly can relate to). When you've read that, consider he then has to swim 2.5 miles in open water with 1500 flailing arms and legs, then bike 112 over a tough course and run a marathon! If a bit of rugby and cycling in the past put him at an advantage then how come lance Armstrong, James Cracknell, Steve Cram and Laurent Jalabert have all struggled just racing a marathon???
Take this book for what it is, an enjoyable account that you may/or may not be able to relate to but is well written and provides some laughs on the way. I enjoyed it and would recommend to anyone that doesn't truly appreciate what a strange/crazy world triathlon is (read about the numbering!).

I liked it & you will too.
I was pre-prepared by other reviews (thanks) & so the shock of Stuart's pre-existing athletic skill was lessened. You forgive such dust-cover marketing very quickly as you are totally won over by the easy style, the honesty and the race excitement he generates. Perhaps it helps to have raced in one or two Sprint events prior to reading as there is so much good advice to assist you & shared experience to empathise with. I have to say I couldn't wait to find out how the Ironman attempt went & read late into the night. It gives insight into the level of drive & sacrifice required and, perhaps most importantly, the value of a wonderfully understanding partner.