Triathloning for Ordinary Mortals [Paperback]

Steven Jonas (Author), Virginia Aronson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 1999

A regimen for training that can be followed by anyone, anywhere, any time of year, and that makes triathloning a pleasure rather than an ordeal. The explosion of interest in physical fitness that has sent Americans running, bicycling, and swimming by the tens of thousands now extends to the fitness competition that combines all three --triathloning. Steven Jonas, a former nonathlete who began endurance sports in middle age, offers an accessible program for anyone from beginner to experienced jogger. Dr. Jonas's own experiences are the basis of this user-friendly book, directed to the person who wants to do more than just run. He sets forth basic recommendations on equipment necessary for triathloning and outlines a three-phased training program that will take the untrained beginner to a state of fitness where he or she can complete a triathlon of moderate distance. The book includes a chapter on nutrition and a stretching program. Dr. Jonas has revised and updated the work to include information on how to run longer races, how to train for the increasingly popular duathlon (run/bike/run), and new tips from his further fifteen years of experience. Techniques, fitness, training, equipment, nutrition, pre-race, the race itself --a readable introduction for the aspiring recreational triathloner. A new chapter on duathlons and how to run longer races, and updated appendixes on the latest magazines and books of interest to triathloners.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Deciding to enter your first triathlon is a heady moment--you're ready for the challenge of a swim-bike-run race and pumped to get your body training. Chances are, though, that you're experienced in only one, maybe two of the sports. How do you incorporate the others? What kind of equipment do you need? How often should you be practicing each sport? And what if you're a complete novice, a wanna-be athlete who has not done any of the sports, and you want to enter a triathlon to motivate yourself to get into shape and improve your outlook? Steven Jones, M.D., a professor of preventive medicine and a successful triathlete, has all the answers and reassurances you'll need in his down-to-earth book, updated in 1999, Triathloning for Ordinary Mortals.

As he says in his preface, his book is for the person "who wants to engage in a new and different athletic experience without turning the rest of his or her life upside down in the process and wants to have fun doing so." Focusing on the "marathon-equivalent" triathlon, which is a 1.5-kilometer swim, a 40-kilometer bike, and a 10-kilometer run (although he does have a brief chapter called "Doing the Duathlon and Going Long"), Jonas helps you decide if a triathlon is right for you, gives his own personal history of how he went from a nonathlete to a racer, and advises on how to pick your first race.

From there, he discusses techniques, the basic principles of training, and how to establish your "aerobic base," the basic level of fitness (especially important for nonexercisers) you need before approaching his "Triathloning for Ordinary Mortals Training Program," a five-hour-a-week, 13-week program to train you for your race. Also covered in the manual is equipment and nutrition. Jonas's style of writing is accessible to the layperson--he doesn't burden you with technical terms or complicated zones or training levels. He even goes through an entire race with you, from the night before to putting air in your bike tires through the actual events right up to the aftermath of the race. The terrific appendix includes diagrams of stretches. While this isn't the book for a seasoned runner looking to improve his overall time, this is the ideal book to provide guidance and encouragement for newbies to the sport. Reading just a few chapters will have you itching to start racing. --Jenny Brown

From Library Journal

This is a book of personal opinions and experiences from a self-proclaimed "back of the middle of the pack" athlete. While Jonas does present basic triathlon information on swimming, bicycling, and running and very good bibliographies on these topics, most of the book is a personal account of his training and racing. Readers would be better served by Sally Edwards's Triathlon: a triple fitness sport (Contemporary Bks., 1983) or Paul Perry's Complete Book of the Triathlon ( LJ 10/1/83). Both books are much better at describing the event and preparing the competitor. (Illustrations not seen.) Thomas K. Fry, UCLA Libs.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: W W Norton & Co Inc; Revised edition (May 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0393318966
• ISBN-13: 978-0393318968
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,173,085 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A perfect book for the first time recreational athlete., May 19, 2000

By 

"melenard" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Triathloning for Ordinary Mortals (Paperback)

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.

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ALL YOU NEED TO GET STARTED, October 9, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Triathloning for Ordinary Mortals (Paperback)

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...

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Out of date!, June 10, 2005

By 

S. Froyd "runner" (New York, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Triathloning for Ordinary Mortals (Paperback)

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.