Not Normal Behaviour [Paperback]

Stuart Staples (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 204 pages
• Publisher: Upso (February 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1843751364
• ISBN-13: 978-1843751366
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,503,429 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 220 Triathlon Magazine Review July 2005, August 15, 2005

By 

James Waller "James" (London, UK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Not Normal Behaviour (Paperback)

...guaranteed to clear any rose tinted goggles...ideal for anyone wanting to learn more about the sport... A book written to get your pre-race nerves twitching...'

The book was rated `...Performance - Very Good...Value- Highly Impressive...'

The Full Review

This non-technical paperback details one man's journey from sporty but dissatisfied suburbanite, with one sprint-distance race under his belt, to full Ironman finisher.

Stuart gives a detailed, "heart on sleeve" account of his build up to Ironman Lake Placid, covering his hopes, fears and emotions during this period. It includes a graphic description of his first effort at open water swimming that's guaranteed to clear any rose tinted goggles you may have formed over the winter.

Stuart even mentions many of tri's taboo subjects, including registration T-shirt poker and how cool it is having your race number written on your body.

It's written from the amateur's perspective, so may not be of interest to the seasoned triathlete. But it's ideal for anyone wanting to learn more about the sport or thinking of taking the step to longer distance events.

A book written to get your pre-race nerves twitching.

5.0 out of 5 stars Book Description, August 13, 2005

By 

Mr. S. Staples "Author" (London, United Kingdom) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Not Normal Behaviour (Paperback)

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.