Customer Reviews

Triathlon Training in Four Hours a Week

5 star:		(43)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I picked up this book after reading Eric's articles in Shape magazine. I just finished my first triathlon, thanks to this book! I would have never crossed that finish line without it. I can't wait for my next race!

I wish I could give this book 5 stars, but it is just short of perfect. I'll highlight my problems with it, just to warn other potential readers. These are suggestions I would hope the author keep in mind if he chooses to write a new edition.

First, the basis of the training breaks you into 1 of 4 categories. This is great! This allows you to graduate into higher levels of training in the future. The problem is the way you are directed to your training level. There is a 10 question quiz that will identify your training level. With all due respect to Mr. Harr, he either needs to toss out this test, or he needs to work with a psychologist to tune it to something a little more meaningful. Despite his best effort, this test does nothing but measure your motivations. I came into this working out 6 days a week for the past 18 months. While I had never done a triathlon before, I considered myself to be in excellent shape. I took the test and scored a level I, which is what he refers to as a Slice above Couch Potato. Luckily, I looked at what was involved in the training plan and realized I am more closely in tune right in between a level II or level III. Even more dangerously, I gave this quiz to a friend of mine who was terribly out of shape. She scored a Level III. If she had attempted to work out at the intensity outlined for a Level III, it would have derailed her quickly. That's too much for someone who isn't in shape! If you are racing in a triathlon for enjoyment rather than competition, this by no means makes you out of shape. As far as Eric and the quiz are concerned, however, it does. I'd strongly recommend anyone reading this to consider this for themselves. Basically, you should know what level of shape you are in. If you don't, read the descriptions of a level and the exercise routine. Last thing you want to do is put yourself in a situation where you commit 2 months to training for the triathlon and end up under or over training because of a score on a flawed quiz.

The second thing that got to me with this book was the product recommendations. It was great to see the whole chapter devoted to what I need and what to look for. But some of the "can't go wrong with Speedo" was frustrating. Rather than tell you what it is that he likes with certain items, he just directs you to a brand name with little to no explanation. In some cases, Eric really outlined why he was recommending the brand (Giant bicycles, for instance). It would be nice to see this outlined for all products on the list.

Sorry if this sounds nit picky, because this book is AWESOME! There are just a lot of things in the book that could mislead someone with limited knowledge. The book is so close to perfect - just be prepared to identify your own fitness level and ignore some of the blatant advertising, and you will be well on your way to being a triathlete!

This book is perfect if you are interested in training for a triathlon, but are just not sure how to do it.

I run and bike, but have never done a triathlon before. I just did not have any clue how to design a program that would allow me to incorporate running, swimming, and cycling in such a way that I would be able to finish a sprint distance triathlon.

Using the program in this book I was able to train for and easily complete my first sprint triathlon.

If you have any interest in training for a triathlon and do not know how, I would HIGHLY recommend this book. It is not technical. It makes you believe you can do it, and it provides a program framework that works.

The program(s) in this book cover fitness levels from bare beginners all the way to single sport Gods (runners, cyclists, etc.) They are geared towards a sprint distance, but adaptable up to 1/2 ironman distance.

Each program is doable (time wise). You do not need to quit your job and divorce your wife.

Overall, fantastic. If you want to train but do not know where to start, this is where to start.

There are bigger triathlon books, and there are books with more detailed training schedules. There are books to hone your swimming, and books to make you run faster, but there is probably no better book for starting the sport of triathlon than Eric Harr's

For starters, Harr does a decent job as a motivational writer. This is no small feat for an accomplished athlete writing to novices. Harr manages to inspire without condescending. He gets you excited about the sport.

Next, he sets the stage. He goes into the basic equipment required to train for and complete the race. He gives estimates regarding costs and recommendations as to specific brands he has used (this was probably the only part of the book that felt dated, given the 2003 publication). He also asks you to give realistic assessments of your fitness and your race goals. These include simply completing the race, trying to complete a longer distance than previously, or even competing to win (more about that later). He helps a reader plan a training schedule that matches their fitness level with their goal while allowing time to have a life outside of the sport.

This is followed by more detailed discussion of the various stages, with chapters on swimming technique and drills, biking (conditioning, equipment, and safety) and of course running. He discusses the importance of heart rate monitors and interval training, and he covers when to push your training, when to back. He doesn't particularly go into the science behind the training, but his recommendations are similar to other writers in the field. Above all, he strives to keep the training schedule compatible with achieving athletic success within the time constraints of the modern recreational athlete.

He puts it all together in sections that describe workout plans. These are tailored to fitness level and personal goal. They include recommendations as to sport, duration, and intensity (divided into zones I to III in increasing order of difficulty). These plans are outlines, leaving some details to the athlete.

This is the recommendation for the 3rd week of a 6-week plan for a "Fitness Enthusiast", the 3rd highest in his 4-level hierarchy of fitness:

Week 3: Moderate Intensity
Monday: rest
Tuesday: swim for 30 minutes in zone II
Wednesday: run for 30 minutes in zone III; strength train for 40 minutes
Thursday: swim for 30 minutes in zone I; bike for 60 minutes in zone III
Friday: rest
Saturday: Brick workout - bike for 50 minutes in zone I, then run for 20 minutes in zone II
Sunday: strength train for 20 minutes

Other miscellaneous chapters include discussions of injury prevention and treatment, nutrition, and motivation. An often overlooked aspect of endurance training is strength training, but I found that chapter to be very up to date. The exercises incorporate aspects of modern strength training, such as core training, and he discusses home as well as gym workouts.

Now, is this the only book a triathlete would ever need? That depends. If your goal is to run the occasional race, even to improve on a previous time, then this will probably be enough. Experienced triathletes will probably find it aimed too far below them. The Triathlete's Training Bible by Joe Friel would probably be a better bet for an athlete trying to move from the middle of the pack to the awards table. That's not a knock on this book; it's just pitched at a different audience.

In summary, anyone interested in taking up the sport of triathlon would have a hard time doing better. Start here, end at the finish line.

I trained for my first triathlon completely out of this book. Before I started, I was in so-so shape but didn't know how to do the crawl and could not swim a single lap without stopping. I memorized the breakdown of the swim stroke in the book, practiced for a couple of months, and then six weeks before my race (sprint at Pacific Grove 2004), I started his training plan and followed it to the letter. I lost weight, got in great condition, and ended up finishing 13th in my division! I had a fantastic race, smiling most of the way, and crossed the finish line feeling like a rock star.

Just a few months ago I never thought I would ever do something like this, and now I've joined a triathlon training team and am preparing for my second race in November. I'm in the best shape of my adult life, I love cross-training, and I am very, very grateful for this book. Believe me, if I can do it, *anyone* can. Get this book, finish a triathlon, and amaze yourself at what you can accomplish!

This book should be titled "Training to Live a Better Life (by Doing a Triathlon)" The author talks about excuses we all give about fitness -- and how to overcome them. He explains how to use exercise to live a better life, rather than simply burn calories. He advises you to view workouts as a golden opportunity to "bond" with those you love every week. He explains how, when you finish your triathlon, mentoring others can be rewarding for you...and for them. He provides inspirational stories about people who did this and how it transformed "much more than their waistline." There is also tons of nuts-and-bolts information in this book, too: how to choose the right running shoe, how to avoid injuries, how to get properly fit on your bike, how to execute the proper swim stroke, how to choose gear without over-spending, how to eat, how to lose fat, etc, etc, etc.

I believe triathlon is going to be taken up by hundreds of thousands of Americans because of this book. And we need that right now. Nice work, Mr. Eric Harr. And thank you.

unfortunately, the magical transformation of the author into a competitive athlete is a unique event, not one that readers will replicate easily (or ever!), especially following the plans inside.

the author ignores the base building necessary to race the events. athletes need to train their musculoskeletal structure to take the abuse of workouts as much as they need to get their hearts up to speed. this is best done slowly and incrementally. i think if you have been a regular athlete for at least a year before using the plan in this book, you may be fine.

if you are beginning in any of the three sports, i'd advise another book to show the real process of developing the appropriate base needed to compete without injury. Look up the titles by Joe Friel for more complete information on how to structure a training plan.

I bought Harr's book and completed my first triathlon (Skylands - Clinton NJ: .5Swim/14.1Bike/5K run), and just want to thank him. This book was extremely inspirational and helped me get thru some of the rough spots during those early AM training sessions. The "one minute promises" & "motivation follows action" were constants mantras going through my head. The author gives a lot of great advice, and I constantly referred to it during training.

As a 39 year male starting to tip the scale near 195, I could
barely run a 1.5 mile in early June. Since then, I have lost over 17 pounds and I'm in my best shape ever in the last 15 years. I have also had some great quality time with my kids (5 & 7) who would accompany me on their bike during a couple of runs. (This made for some great & unexpected interval training since my son would take off on his bike trying to catch
bunnies!). I have much more energy, and it seems far easier to handle lifes daily stresses.

I beat my stretch goal of under 2:00 hours with my family cheering me on. The people (volunteers & triathletes) at the event were extremely friendly and helpful, and it was a fantastic experience. Needless to say, I'm hooked !!! Now I just have to figure how I can get my time under 1:50
for next year...

Thanks!

Doesn't cover all the details you need to know, but does cover the basic's and gives you a plan to follow which is very important. If you are not a strong swimmer you will need to find extra resources for help in addtion to this book.(total immersion stuff(videos) were good) I just completed my first triathlon using the workout plans in this book, and was able to finish no problem. I would recommend to anybody.

This book is great for beginners in this like me. I have read through a few others that were recommended but they were very technical and used terms that a newbie like myself didn't know. I love his sample "success journal" pages. I use them daily to look over my progress. I am inspired to know that a triathlon can be done by someone who does not have all of the athletic abilities under their belt already and that it is possible to do this and succeed at this.

I have been reading Eric Harr's column in The New York Daily News for many months now. I am a very big fan of his, so I decided to pick up his new book, even though I have no aspirations to finish a triathlon. I knew there would still be lots of information in there for me. That's because he always writes for a wide audience; he makes things apply to us all. That's why I love his writing.

I was right.

Triathlon Training in Four Hours a Week is indeed a book any person will benefit from. It has something for everyone, even those who do not want to do a triathlon. For example, it lays out 20 common excuses one might give not to do a triathlon ("not enough time," "too overweight," etc) and then Eric Harr provides compelling solutions to those things...in a way that applies to us all. I love this man.

Eric Harr has a remarkable ability to make it sound it like he just sitting next to you coaching you through this. His book is motivational yet extremely easy to read as well being personal. He has given us a gift by writing this book.

The workouts and the philosophy in the book DO work and not merely because of the dietary guidelines and workout schedules. Eric Harr's philosophy can and will change your life if you take it to heart.

The only problem I have is with the title: Triathlon Training. Of course, it's a great book for that, but this book is so much more than a triathlon book! It's an AMAZING GUIDE!! It's packed with important wit and wisdom about health, nutrition, stretch training, aerobic workouts AND living life to the fullest, bonding more with your friends and family, being more confident and having more fun. I do like the back cover saying "The Transforming Power of Triathlon."

I am buying copies for everyone I know. If they decide to "take the leap" and do a triathlon, great. If not, they will love this amazing guide to living a happier, healthier, fitter, more enriching life.

This is a stellar book and I would highly recommend it to anyone.