Mark Allen's Total Triathlete [Paperback]

Mark Allen (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 1988

"Unless you test yourself, you stagnate. Unless you try to go way beyond what you've been able to do before, you won't develop and grow. When you go for it 100 percent, when you don't have that fear of 'what if I fail,' that's when you learn. That's when you're really living." -- Mark Allen Mark Allen, world-class triathlete and five-time winner of the Nice World Championships, is regarded by many as the reigning king of triathlons. Now, for the first time, Allen reveals the training secrets and mental strategies that have made him a champion. In this intimate look at the life of a professional triathlete, Allen details the demanding mental and physical preparation it takes to become a champion, the friendships, the psych-outs, and the rivalries among the top competitors in the sport today. Complete with more than 75 personal and action photographs, a dramatic day-by-day account of the week before the Ironman Triathlon, and his personalized training program, Mark Allen's Total Triathlete will inspire both the amateur and the seasoned athlete. Mark Allen was voted Triathlete of the Year by Triathlete magazine in 1986 and 1987. Bob Babbitt is founding publisher and editor of Competitor Magazine.

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill; 1 edition (April 1, 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0809245892
• ISBN-13: 978-0809245895
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 8 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #482,142 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Mark Allen has been called "The World's Fittest Man" by Outside magazine and "The Greatest Triathlete of All Time" by Triathlete Magazine. He attributes his success to his ongoing studies with Brant Secunda, who showed him how to find fitness not only in physical strength but also in the power of personal spirit. Mark has worked as a sports commentator and advisor for NBC. He has also spoken to many Fortune 500 companies including American Express, Honeywell, Northwestern Mutual, and Oracle.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A source of real mental energy for any endurance athletes, September 15, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Mark Allen's Total Triathlete (Paperback)

Since the date this book was written Mark Allen has progessed as an athlete to reach even greater glory and to conquer the Hawaiin Ironman, winning the race more than any other man in the 90's. In a sport where any of the top ten competitors are physically capable of winning on the day, I have no doubt that the mental strategies contained in this book have been the distinguishing characteristics between Mark and other athletes. The book deals with a brief description of Marks history in the sport, mainly with his 1987 season and the successes and dissapointments of that year culminating in the Hawaiin Ironman. Unlike the plethora of training material available today, this book deals with how the author motivates himself, focuses, faces his fears, and controls his mental energy in all aspects of his life particularly in triathlon.

If you are serious about getting 100% out of your body and enjoying training and racing in any endurance sport, read this book.

5.0 out of 5 stars Balance your tribrary, November 14, 2010

By 

Stephen Pellerine (In a bookshelf somewhere) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mark Allen's Total Triathlete (Paperback)

OK the book has aged since 1988, but I think it was a true blessing 22 years ago and was an inspirational read for me motivating me into my first IMs. The book is about the sport, but also about him, and I liked this. The sport has come a long way since 1988 as the gear, the training programs, and the times are way down now!

I have quite a few exercise books, and this one is a nice read in addition to addressing training. I think as athletes we need to go beyond just training and technical prescriptions to the sport and learn more about the hidden game - this classic does just that. So if you enjoy literature and would like to learn more about Mark Allen and triathlon mentality more than two decades ago - read this.

I think it's an essential read for triathletes - build some background knowledge. At the same time pick up a few more training oriented books for a well balanced tribrary. Scott's is also a classic (see link below).

Dave Scott's Triathlon Training

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read for enthusiastic triathlete, February 11, 2010

By 

Mario Maddalozzo "Mario" (Curitiba, Brazil.) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Mark Allen's Total Triathlete (Paperback)

My triathlon library includes a great number of books on Swimming, training methods, nutrition and inspiring sport stories.
While reading so many books, I would always stumble upon revering references to "Mark Allen's Total Triathlete".
Along with Bruce Fordyce, the 9 time champion of the Comrades UltraMarathon, Mark Allen is one of the most balanced and wise athletes in the world of sport. He remained in the top for so many years, while others would burn out. One of the first to stray away from the train longer-harder-faster idea, he noticed the body needed time to rest and heal in some parts of the years. Perhaps it was one of the secrets of his longevity at the top.
Not a methology book per say, this is a great book, showing a great deal of honest and open-hearted storys and advice on our great sport of triathlon. This is a true page-turner. I read mine in one sit at the stationay bike. I believe this is a must read for any serious triathlete or enthusiast of the sport. It certainly has influenced my view of the sport.
I wish they would make a new edition!