Customer Reviews

Mark Allen's Total Triathlete

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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

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!

Mark Allen, the greatest triathlete this world has ever seen, puts pen to paper and muses about the myriad aspects of his personal philosophies and motivating factors.

This book lets the reader enter the mind of a great warrior, while learning to appreciate just how mentally strong one must be to conquer an Ironman race.

Excellent book!

After providing a brief autobiography Mark Allen, who does not seem the slightest bit arrogant, recounts the few days of and before Ironman Hawaii '87. The book clearly shows that Allen spends a lot of time sports-psychoanalyzing himself and his competitors (contrasting Dave Scott's seemingly machine like approach to racing.) The intimate description of IH '87 is interesting. The end of the book provides brief, but useful training advice incorporating heart rate monitoring.

If you are looking for a training book, go elsewhere. If you are looking into insight as to Mark Allen's thoughts and life during the Ironman in the 80's, then read this book.

After providing a brief autobiography Mark Allen, who does not seem the slightest bit arrogant, recounts the few days of and before Ironman Hawaii '87. The book clearly shows that Allen spends a lot of time sports-psychoanalyzing himself and his competitors (contrasting Dave Scott's seemingly machine like approach to racing.) The intimate description of IH '87 is interesting. The end of the book provides brief, but useful training advice incorporating heart rate monitoring.