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2013-02-03 7:45 AM


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Subject: Triathlon/cycling/running book recommendations

I know this has been a question brought up in the past but I couldn't find it, so, what are your favorite tri/cycling/running books?  Training guides or stories?

Thanks,



2013-02-03 8:16 AM
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Subject: RE: Triathlon/cycling/running book recommendations
I've really liked the Complete Triathlon Book by Matt Fitzgerald.
2013-02-03 2:46 PM
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Subject: RE: Triathlon/cycling/running book recommendations
The triathlete's training bible by Joe Friel
2013-02-03 3:44 PM
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Subject: RE: Triathlon/cycling/running book recommendations
IMO the best books are:

Tri - Scientific Training for Triathletes and Triathlete's Guide to Training with Power. Both by Dr Phil Skiba and available on his website (www.physfarm.com) - no other triathlon resource even comes close to what these two books provide.

Run
Daniels Running Formula - Jack Daniels
Runners Body - Dugas, Tucker and Fitzgerald

Bike
Training and Racing with a Powermeter - Allen and Coggan

Swim
Championship Swim Training - Sweetenham and Atkinson

Shane
2013-02-03 8:18 PM
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Subject: RE: Triathlon/cycling/running book recommendations
Going Long
2013-02-03 8:21 PM
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Subject: RE: Triathlon/cycling/running book recommendations
Another vote for Triathlete's Training Bible.


2013-02-03 9:05 PM
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Subject: RE: Triathlon/cycling/running book recommendations

Here are some of my favorites (more story than training)

1) Iron War by Matt Fitzgerald: Chronicles the infamous battle between Dave Scott and Mark Allen at Kona.  Although narrative in style, it also addresses both the psychology/ physiology of triathlon and what made these guys so incredible.

2) Duel in the Sun by John Brant: Another great story about Alberto Salazar and Dick Beardsley at Boston.  Discusses both the race and the challenges that both faced afterward.

3) To the Edge by Kirk Johnson: An NYT reporter trains and runs the Badwater Ultra.  

4) The Grace to Race by Sister Maddona Buder: She's 80+ and a multi-competitor at the Ironman.

Hope you enjoy them as much as I did.

2013-02-04 7:42 AM
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Subject: RE: Triathlon/cycling/running book recommendations
Books that have been recommended to you are great. I would also add Complete Triathlon Guide.
2013-02-04 8:40 AM
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Subject: RE: Triathlon/cycling/running book recommendations

gsmacleod - 2013-02-03 3:44 PM IMO the best books are: Tri - Scientific Training for Triathletes and Triathlete's Guide to Training with Power. Both by Dr Phil Skiba and available on his website (www.physfarm.com) - no other triathlon resource even comes close to what these two books provide. Run Daniels Running Formula - Jack Daniels Runners Body - Dugas, Tucker and Fitzgerald Bike Training and Racing with a Powermeter - Allen and Coggan Swim Championship Swim Training - Sweetenham and Atkinson Shane

 

I gotta admit, I just bought the Skiba book on many recommendations here, and I honestly wouldn't recommend it.

 

The early chapters explaining TSS, IF, and all the power-related metrics are very well done, but you can learn as much about them for free by going to the TrainingPeaks website. I liked the writing, but I learned pretty much nothing I didn't already know. (I got into those metrics from using TrainerRoad, which makes you aware of their relevance.)

 

The problem I had with the Skiba book is that there is NO practical means of laying out a schedule short of using advanced software. It's one thing to say you need to chart your year with progressive load - it's quite another to plan it out using TSS across 3 different sports, with graphs of performance/intensity. For example, just try and plan a week of workouts so your TSS and IF scores end up what they're supposed to be. Yeah, it's hard. Even with Trainerroad which lays out bike TSS, it's hard, but go outside, mix SBR and it's really hard. That's really what I wanted to see - how to PRACTICALLY plan training around power/TSS multisport - but Skiba's book doesn't deliver, imo.

In retrospect, I would have said save the money, just read the Trainingpeaks and other websites.

2013-02-04 8:48 AM
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Subject: RE: Triathlon/cycling/running book recommendations
I think Triathlete Magazine's Essential Week-By-Week Training Guide is great. Has plans for sprints through ironman breaking it down to level 1 (surviving) to level 10 (champ) plans.
Haven't done any yet, but have fantasized over many of the plans.





Edited by MuscleMomma 2013-02-04 9:00 AM
2013-02-04 9:01 AM
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Subject: RE: Triathlon/cycling/running book recommendations
I don't know if this is what your looking for, but I just finished A Life Without Limits by Chrissie Wellington.  It isn't exactly a training book, but it is a great read and she does depart some words of wisdom and has a fascinating story.  Loved it!


2013-02-04 9:02 AM
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Subject: RE: Triathlon/cycling/running book recommendations

Run:  'Advanced Marathoning' by Pete Pfitzinger. 

Swim: 'Swim Secrets...' by Sheila Taormina

 

I bought and tried to read 'Heart Rate Training for the Compleat Idiot', but I couldn't stand to read much more than one chapter.  I found the author's tone to be incredibly annoying and condescending.

2013-02-04 11:58 AM
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Subject: RE: Triathlon/cycling/running book recommendations
Be Ironfit by Don Fink -- Best free Ironman program I've found
2013-02-04 1:11 PM
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Subject: RE: Triathlon/cycling/running book recommendations
blaze11 - 2013-02-04 10:58 AM

Be Ironfit by Don Fink -- Best free Ironman program I've found


I was checking this out an Amazon this morning..
Why is the first edition selling for $60ish and the second edition selling for $11ish??
2013-02-04 1:41 PM
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Subject: RE: Triathlon/cycling/running book recommendations

RockTractor - 2013-02-04 1:11 PM
blaze11 - 2013-02-04 10:58 AM Be Ironfit by Don Fink -- Best free Ironman program I've found
I was checking this out an Amazon this morning.. Why is the first edition selling for $60ish and the second edition selling for $11ish??

 

Sometimes online prices are set completely by computer algorithm. When a book isn't a bestseller, you can see wacky results like the one you cited.

2013-02-04 1:53 PM
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Subject: RE: Triathlon/cycling/running book recommendations

Finding Ultra by Rich Roll

Big Book of Endurance Sports - Phil Maffetone



2013-02-04 4:57 PM
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Subject: RE: Triathlon/cycling/running book recommendations

A Life Without Limits by Chrissie Wellington.

 

Amazing story.  Regular girl, not much of a sporting background (was a swim coach in her early 20's, did a few runs) - basically, your regular person who finished school, went through university, did a bit of packpacking then settled down into a job in a government agency...

Somewhere along the line she found triathlon. Having never competed in an event until her mid 20's she then started winning. She started competing with no structure, on old second hand equipment and bikes - and was wining!

Basically rarely beaten as a professional, winning Kona multiple times, smashing world record times and recording the fastest ever female Iron distance race at Challenge Roth.

Not only was she winning, she was smashing the competition - literally finishing 30 or 40 minutes ahead of the second place getter, and was overtaking some of the professional men. 

All this from a chick who started essentially by accident.

She announced her retirement late last year.

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