Swim, Bike, Run, Laugh!: A Lighthearted Look at the Serious Sport of Triathlon and the Ironman Experience [Paperback]

Dan Madson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 28, 2005

Most books written about the sport of triathlon are pretty serious-Triathlon 101, Triathlon Training for Women, or Triathlon Training on Four Hours a Week. When I began training to become a triathlete, I looked for books that related to my life situation but could find nothing like Triathlon Training for the Married, Sleep-Deprived Father of Three or How to Do an Ironman without Training at All. When I decided to write a book about the sport of triathlon and the Ironman experience, my goals were simple: 1. Provide myself with another excuse to skip some long training runs.2. Address significant questions that a triathlete contemplates when sitting in a porta-potty before an Ironman race: Is it really necessary to put Vaseline on my nipples before the run? How can I tell if my kidneys have failed? What should I say to the people just coming out of T2 as I'm finishing the race?3. Give something back to the sport, which has given me an appreciation for the delicate art of leg shaving, the joy of getting up at 5:00 a.m. on a regular basis, and that persistent feeling that no matter how much training I have done, I haven't done enough.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Triathlete and author Dan Madson has written a book that will appeal to multi-sport athletes of all ages and abilities. Drawing on stories from his childhood when bike helmets were unheard of and spandex had yet to be invented, Dan takes you on a memorable and comical journey. Recalling his frigid early-morning swim lessons with Molly the Lifeguard, the purchase of his first pre-owned $15 bike, and his disastrous triathlon attempt at the age of 23, Dan sets the stage for a successful return to the sport at the age of 42. Having competed in his first triathlon in July of 1983 without any serious training, the author didn't realize that 20 years would pass before the next one. Nor did he realize how that second race would initiate a personal Ironman quest-ending 16 months later as he lay on his family room couch with a finisher's medal around his neck, an immense feeling of accomplishment, and an IV tube stuck in his left arm. Swim, Bike, Run, Laugh! is Madson's second published work. He is also the author of Because I Said So, a collection of 36 funny stories that capture the so-called joys of fatherhood.

Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: AuthorHouse (June 28, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1420845225
• ISBN-13: 978-1420845228
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #526,605 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Not funny at all, June 1, 2006

By 

AustinTriGuy - See all my reviews

This review is from: Swim, Bike, Run, Laugh!: A Lighthearted Look at the Serious Sport of Triathlon and the Ironman Experience (Paperback)

I think the other reviewers must be related to the author. I bought this book on a whim and haven't so much as chuckled once. Save your money - or better yet, write your own book based on your personal triathlon experiences... that's all this is.

5.0 out of 5 stars Refreshing approach, July 12, 2009

By 

Kristen H. Melter "Fitness Fanatic" (Ballwin, MO) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Swim, Bike, Run, Laugh!: A Lighthearted Look at the Serious Sport of Triathlon and the Ironman Experience (Paperback)

This was a refreshing approach to triathlon. I read a lot of scientific books geared towards the 'type A' personality athlete, (which I am not). It was great to read someone's take on preparing for an Ironman who seemed to take the experiences as they came with out too much pressure. Great read! I lent it to an athlete I coach who lent it to someone else too.

1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Laughed all the way to being inspired., August 16, 2005

By 

Jeff Julson "editor predator" (Celebration, FL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Swim, Bike, Run, Laugh!: A Lighthearted Look at the Serious Sport of Triathlon and the Ironman Experience (Paperback)

Funny!! I don't believe that I turned a single page prior to burst-out-loud cacklings.

This book MUST UNSHACKLE ITSELF from the confines of only those interested in the sport of triathlon. In fact, I highly doubt that any one-dimensional triathlete would find it all that funny. But for the husbands and fathers of the world, this should be required reading - even if you have no interest in this sport whatsoever.

Yes, the predominant theme is the sport, but creatively woven throughout are hilarious portraits of family, marriage, parenthood, and friendship. This guys natural knack for good, clean storytelling is evident, and just about perfectly skewed.

For those who would never consider doing something so "silly" as swimming 2.5 miles, biking 112 miles, and finishing the day by running a marathon; don't be tempted to believe this book is not for you. If you already struggle with too many commitments and not enough time, then you'll find common ground with this author.... Where you might not find common ground is that he augmented his life's schedules with that little bitty goal of finishing one of the most grueling endurance races that this world has ever known - and this makes for the comical magic of this read.

Great Job, Dan.