Customer Reviews

Triathloning for Ordinary Mortals

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

 

 

I am about to race in my first triathlon. I used the training program and advice offered in this book to prepare. I feel ready to race. The book helps the first time recreational triathlete train in a low stress and managable manner. I highly recommend it.

The book delivers as promised!

When I finished the plan (taking you from SLOW running gradually increacing intensity over weeks and weeks), I was ready for my first Triathlon - The San Jose International - a 3/4 mile swim, 20 mile bike and a 6 mile run. No, I didn't win of course, but I finished! The process was so gradual, I KNEW I could do it every step of the way...

What a great feeling! I lost ove 30 pounds of fat in the process, too! This is the ONLY kind of training I have ever STUCK with!

I am about to do a HALF Ironman his weekend (TBF Half Ironman in Sacramento).

None of this ever would've happened if it weren't for me picking up this book...

I didn't realize how out of date this book was, or I would not have bought it. The book makes 80s-era references when it comes to diet, nutrition, and other books about fitness. He suggests that you'd better plan to spend a whole $45 dollars on a good pair of running shoes!

The author is readable, and his personal experiences are somewhat interesting. But although he is an M.D., there seems to be no scientific basis for his recommendations - it is all based on his personal experience.

I first saw this book when I bought my first bike in college- I wanted to get into shape so I could ride longer. I've used his basic premise for over 7 years now through four cities, three schools, and two jobs to stay fit and keep workouts fun. Why does it work so well? Because it's flexible. If I feel like rollerblading for three days in a row, I "just do it". If I'm tired or sick, I rest up to two days in a row knowing that I can adjust my schedule accordingly. If friends invite me to go hiking or skiing on the weekend, I'm not tied down to a particular routine- I just play hard and count it into hours exercised per week. Another important component is measuring aerobic intensity against your current fitness level. If walking gets your heart rate up, you can stay at that level until your condition allows you to move on to something faster. Finally- a book on fitness that realistically acknowledges the demands of jobs, unexpected illnesses, family, friends, and fun!

This book is an excellent read for the beginning triathlete. It takes you step by step through nutrition, basic aerobic fitness and finally into triathlon training. The only thing that I wish it contained were swimming and biking techniques. It explains which swimming stoke to use, but doesn't elaberate on the stoke itself. The author does, however, site many other authors on technique throughout this book that would be helpful. It seems that if the author added an extra chapter devoted to some basic biking/swimming techniques, this would be all the information you would need to get started.

NOTE: This review applies to the FIRST EDITION. I just found out there is a Second Edition. I will oder and review it forthwith.

I rated this book 4 stars because it is an old 5 star book.

First, this book is for rank beginners. If you say, "Gee, I want to try this cross-training thing called a triathlon . . .um, where do I start?", then this is the book for you.

Second, the book IS DATED. It was originally written in 1984 and updated in 1996. A lot has happened since then; distances have been standardized, new equipment and techniqes have evolved, advances in nutrition and kinesiology.

Now, my reivew.

This is a marvelous book in a lot of ways. If you have no clue how to get started, this book will help you a lot. Unlike some of the reviewers here, and as stated by the author, this is TRIATHLONING FOR ORDINDARY MORTALS. Dr. Jonas lays out a program of exercise that rank amatuers can accomplish. He presents this information in a way that you can directly apply without a coach. The object of the book, as stated on page 23:

"This book is for you if you an average recreational endurance athlete of modest ability who would like to do a triathlon of modest proportions [Olympic]. It is also for you if you are not yet 'average recreational endurance athlete of modest ability' but would like to become one, with the goal in mind of doing a triathlon of modest proportions'" . . .This book is not for you if your ambition is to do an 'Ironman' triathlon."

Phase One is a three month prelude to developing an aerobic base, to get you used to exercising. Phase Two is a six month program to get you sufficiently fit to train for a triathlon. Phase Three is a three month program to COMPLETE a triathlon.

The nutrition and equipment discussion in the book are dated. However, the advice he offers, such as going to a specialty shoe store to get fitted, is not.

As to counting minutes vs miles, in one of the previous reviews, the BEST way for an amateur to build thier aerobic capacity is over time. Miles work best for people who are already there and have advanced beyond what this book may teach. You need to practice technique and intervals and that is beyond this book. I reccommend the 12 week walk/run program offered by the British Columbia sports medicene group a replacement for the run program.

I really enjoyed reading this book 5 years ago and again now. Science and technology have moved on, but sage advice is still golden.

This is a comprehensive resource for anyone thinking of taking on their first triathalon. It covers all three sports in detail and has an excellent training schedule. The only downside is that it is outdated (over 10 yrs old!) esp. when it comes to equipment.

When I decided to do my first triathlon, I bought this book to guide me through the process. Just last week, I completed the Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon, which is supposed to be one of the most challenging in the world.
Just as the book promises my time was not great, but I was able to enjoy every moment of the event and finish the race.

This book is a great way to enter the world of triathlon. I gave it 4 instead of 5 stars because it is slightly incomplete and references other books. However, I think anyone who really gets into tris will find that this is generally the case. Glad I found this book to get me started! Oh, and regarding Miles vs. Minutes: Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but I'll go with the Minutes system since world champions Mike Pigg and Mark Allen swear by it and I would be wary of the disparagement of this method from someone who has never done a triathlon.

It got me pumped up in the beginning, but I found it to be not aggressive enough partway thru the book. It really bogs down on stuff that endurance athletes already know instinctively, and thru practice.

If you're a couch potato, and want to get in shape, think about triathloning, you won't get bored doing one thing like running or biking. This book would be for you. Very simple, and not very specific.

If you've already done one of the three endurance sports, look for another book, I know I am...