Good Triathlon Books?
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krazyfranco posted 31 weeks ago.
I read The Triathlete's Training Bible. I think its pretty essentially, and a lot of people will probably agree with me. It provides a great description and backbone for periodization training, as well as the rationale for it. It is a good all-around book, I definitely recommend it.
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tri-ac posted 31 weeks ago.
i got 3 of those on your list at the library and honestly they repeat a lot of the same stuff. i own the Friel Bible & his Going Long; and both are fairly in-depth (they also repeat each too).
if you don't own the Bible, get that one first. (Training Plans for Multisport Athletes is also good)
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psychosyd posted 31 weeks ago.
Brad Kearns "Breakthrough Triathlon Training"
a must read for any of the people I coach.
Friels " training bible" is the bible. period!
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ChunkyB posted 31 weeks ago.
Thanks a ton for all the replies. I'm getting all my text books for next semester, so I figured I'd throw in a few books that I actually want (maybe my wife won't notice that way). Keep the good replies coming.
"The melting point of wax means nothing to me": Thrice
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jbird2131 posted 31 weeks ago.
Before my first season I paged through Friel's Training Bible. It answers all your questions and explains things only a triathlete would ask. I strongly recommend it. To this day i still use his race day checklist.
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KenMierke posted 31 weeks ago.
I recommend The Triathlete's Guide to Run Training by Ken Mierke www.Fitness-Concepts.com
Ken
Ken Mierke Ken@Fitness-Concepts.com
Fitness Concepts Fitness-Concepts.com
Author, The Triathlete's Guide to Run Training
www.EvolutionRunning.com
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Sully800 posted 31 weeks ago.
I got your book in November Ken, and I managed to do one run after starting the drills. I enjoyed the run very much and felt much smoother than normal (I previously exerted too much vertical force, not enough horizontal force. I guess thats the most common problem, pre-Evolution). Unfortunately I got pneumonia and I haven't tried running again yet. But from what I've seen so far, I would also recommend The Triathlete's Guide to Run Training by Ken Mierke
I've also read the Complete Triathlon Book by Matt Fitzgerald which was good for a beginner but not as much info as Triathlete's Bible which I use as my main reference (read it completely twice and read parts of it all the time).
Total Immersion by Terry Laughlin is a great starting point if you aren't a great swimmer, but I know many good swimmers shy away from TI style. I think TI can teach you to be smooth, and then most people tend to revert back to a slightly faster stroke with a more frequent kick and less body rotation. At least thats what I've gathered from several Trifuelers who used to do TI.
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ChunkyB posted 31 weeks ago.
Thanks for the info. I actually have the Total Immersion DVD, but I need to spend more time watching it and implementing it. I might need to check out that guide to run training. That's probably my weakest leg. Thanks again for all the replies. Keep 'em coming.
"The melting point of wax means nothing to me": Thrice
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psychosyd posted 31 weeks ago.
TI is great if you use it smart. Pure TI can have negative impacts on your swimming. It depends where you are coming from. If you are a beginner intermediate swimmer going "by the book" is a good thing. There is a point where you need to find what works for you, and go with that. That is where a good swim coach comes in!
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GGehrke posted 31 weeks ago.
I like Friel's Training Bible as well, but as someone preparing for their first season of triathlon I sometimes find he relies a little too heavily on things like "Start with your average annual training hours from your last 5 years of triathlon," which is a bit of a put off for me. In that example, there are estimates to use in the absence of past data, but it was certainly not the only time that I got this impression. That being said, it has been an invaluable reference for me as I'm getting my training season started. If you're capable of connecting the dots, the slant towards more experienced racers is not a problem at all. Well written and absolutely deserves a spot on your bookshelf if not on your desk (where my copy sits right now).
-Grant-
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Socket posted 30 weeks ago.
I agree about the Training Bible: some of the information is layed out a bit too technically for us n00bs. I'm sure after a season or two it'll make a lot more sense, but right now its a bit much. I'm more of a "gimme the basics first" kind of guy. I'm better off with a pre-built training schedule and some basic workouts and drills.
I also have "The Triathlete's Guide to Run Training" and it has helped quite a bit in the short time I've been using it.
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Sully800 posted 30 weeks ago.
GGehrke wrote:
I like Friel's Training Bible as well, but as someone preparing for their first season of triathlon I sometimes find he relies a little too heavily on things like "Start with your average annual training hours from your last 5 years of triathlon," which is a bit of a put off for me. In that example, there are estimates to use in the absence of past data, but it was certainly not the only time that I got this impression. That being said, it has been an invaluable reference for me as I'm getting my training season started. If you're capable of connecting the dots, the slant towards more experienced racers is not a problem at all. Well written and absolutely deserves a spot on your bookshelf if not on your desk (where my copy sits right now).-Grant-
I agree 100%. I came from a track/cross country background so I was used to endurance training but I still think Friel's book would have been a lot to swallow in my first season. I would recommend any "beginner" triathlon book (there are many out there, most titles are marketed toward completing your first tri) for someone just starting out. Then in year 2 or 3 The Training Bible is a nice upgrade because it becomes much harder to improve and you need a more scientific way of training to get maximum gains.
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tri-ac posted 30 weeks ago.
just don't get the ons that say you can do it in 6 weeks...
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cjhoffmn posted 30 weeks ago.
I read "Swim Bike Run" by Hobson et al, and although it definitely feels like an "introduction," the more I read it, the more it, I find things that are helping me as I advance.
I also have found Run Training for Triathlons (Mierke's book mentioned above) tremendously helpful. His style is very easy to understand, follow and use - for much more than just running.
-C
To tri or not to tri - that's not a question at all!
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c0kenp0pr0ckz posted 30 weeks ago.
currently training for a 70.3 so i bought "The perfect distance"
it's good, not too sciency but not so obvious that i regret that i paid money for it
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john_grieco posted 30 weeks ago.
I am nearly done reading Monique Ryan's book Sports Nutrition for Endurance Athletes - It's a good reference book with excellent info on foods, good carbs, proper ratios, proper fueling pre/during/post workouts and races. She doesn't throw out simple amounts of calories/grams of carbs to consume, rather lays out a framework that you sort of need to adopt and flesh out in terms of your own training intensity (thus calorie needs), weight (driving calorie needs), etc. Portions of food and timing also seems valuable.
I'm also a 2nd year tri guy and I think reading this book forces me to get more serious about "fueling up" for workouts and races.
Good luck,
"Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go."
-T. S. Eliot
I am starting my base training for next year, and I was looking for a good book to read over the Christmas break. This will be only my second year in triathlons (I did 2 sprints last year). I still feel like I have a lot to learn about the basics, but I don't want a book for complete beginners. I want a book that will have good training info, as well as nutrition and everything else associated with tris. Any recommendations would be great.
If anyone has experience with the following books, also let me know. Thanks.
Triathlon 101: Essentials for Multisport Success
Triathlete Magazine's Complete Triathlon Book
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Triathlon Training
Training Plans for Multisport Athletes
The Triathlete's Training Bible
Sorry for no links. This new forum format is killing me. I know I can just paste the address, but amazon addresses are forever long. Anyways, thanks for any replies.
"The melting point of wax means nothing to me": Thrice
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