Customer Reviews

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

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

 

 

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.

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.

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.

If you are looking for what runs in the soul of an Ironman to be...you have the right book. I read this book on my way back from finishing the San Diego 1/2 marathon and could immediately feel the training pains of the author. The training, explaining to my wife the increasing cost of harware I "must have," and the time invested to support my next phase of the triathlon building block - the duathlon hit home. I am where Dave was on "do I swim or drown thoughts". Turning the switch to become a Triathlete let alone a Ironman is a mighty switch to pull. Dave-good for you! Keep it up and one day you may see me - probably at the second transition when you are finishing. Just smile and urge me on; I know it was from the heart.
PS: I hope my laughing did not keep the other passengers awake!

Whether you are a multi-sport enthusiast or not, this book is for you. Everyday so many people do "multi-sport" activities in their daily lives. If you juggle work and kids, if you juggle being a stay at home mom with kids, if you juggle career and volunteer activities, or if you are an amateur or elite triathlete, THIS BOOK IS FOR YOU!
Dan Madsen has a way of making you look at yourself through his trials and tribulations of becoming an Ironman and laugh out loud because whether you're racing in your car to pick up the kids or racing in a triathlon, we all think the same basic things. "How dumb do I look right now?", "How do I know if this headache isn't a disease?" "People just don't understand why I do the things I do." "I am my own entertainment for others laughing greed!" Regardless, you won't be able to put this book down. I read it on a business trip while flying up the east coast. I was trying so hard to contain my laughter that I actually snorted out loud!! The guy sitting next to me begged me to share what I was reading. By the end of the flight we were laughing so hard the flight attendant (jokingly) threatened to take my book (probably for her own entertainment).
If someone read this book and didn't laugh then he is either dead, illiterate, or a total drip that needs to buy a sense of humor and go make some friends.
Outside of owning a home and a car (2 very important needs), you need this book (your 3rd need). Then your life will be complete.
Get ready to laugh out loud.

Looking at the title I expected amusing anecdotes and maybe even a tri joke or two. I was disappointed and not amused. I barely broke a smile throughout the entire book.

This was an inferior version of "Becoming an Ironman : First Encounters with the Ultimate Endurance Event", which is an excellent read.