Life is better when you’re a triathlete. That is what author and illustrator Jef Mallett believes. This light-hearted declaration of love for triathlon is colored with humor, personal experience, and felicitous connections to literature, history, and music. Beginning with the alluring excitement (and terror) of the new triathlete, Mallett delves into the intoxicating subculture of the sport that is three sports. Sweeping text and amusing illustrations bring to life the countless conundrums a triathlete embraces—from the glory of training to the lasting rewards of racing. Triathletes and those who love them will find this book a fun and worthy indulgence.
Trizophrenia: Inside the Minds of a Triathlete
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Editorial Reviews
Review
"A funny, heartfelt, serious work of evangelism." — Peter Sagal, host of NPR's Wait Wait...Don't Tell Me! and contributor to Runner's World magazine
"Jef Mallett's comics seem to frequently express something I've done or thought of myself while training. Trizophrenia is no different. Jef has a good sense of what others in the sport are thinking. If you're a triathlete, I'm sure you will enjoy the book. It's a quick read and will leave you contemplating what you do so seriously many hours a day while chuckling at the same time." — Joe Friel, founder of TrainingBible Coaching and author of The Triathlete's Training Bible
“Jef Mallett is a gifted, funny fellow. I enjoyed dipping in and out of Trizophrenia.” — Scott Tinley
"Following Frazz is like seeing my favorite racer winning every stage of the Tour de France. Just when I think he can't be any cooler he comes up with yet another funny truth to show me how spectacular the world really is." — Andy Hampsten
"Jef Mallett fearlessly mines truths—sometimes uncomfortable truths—with humor and wit, and occasionally with a poignancy that can summon tears." — Gene Weingarten, Below the Beltway columnist for The Washington Post
"I love Frazz—the way he deals with real problems and people, and makes it look so easy. He's a cool guy. Frazz says more in a few words than anyone on the comic strip page. I love him. Once you see Frazz talking about you, you know you've arrived." — Elmore Leonard, author
"Whether you're twelve years old or pushing eighty, Frazz is the smartest comic strip going—sly, satirical, and unabashedly literate." — Carl Hiaasen, author
"Trizophrenia would make a great gift for someone who's cheered at a lot of triathlons, someone thinking about getting into triathlons, someone training for their first triathlon, or someone who's been competing in triathlons for years." — Steve in a Speedo
"Trizophrenia is a wonderfully humorous and informative book. I was instantly pulled into the world of a triathlete and soon realized that they may even be slightly crazier than long-distance runners. By the time I finished reading the book, I was thinking, "Hey, maybe I can actually complete a triathlon." — Runner Dude
"Jef Mallett, the award-winning creator of the syndicated comic strip Frazz, unravels the sport's mystery and madness while raising it to new heights of hilarity." — Humble Triathlete
"Trizophrenia is no snobbish elite-athletes-only affair. Mallett’s raucous humor abounds, his illustrations are hilarious, and the footnotes add to the guffaws." — Grand Rapids Press
“Combining great wit, detailed footnotes and comical cartoons, Trizophrenia is a great read for any cyclist, swimmer, runner, tri geek.” — BicycleSmile.com
"I understand the compulsions that come with triathlon; the training, the cost, the competition, the early mornings, the energy gels that masquerade as food. Jef Mallett makes these easily accessible to the great unwashed. His writing is smooth and clear and carries you along with a sense of fun the surrounds every sentence. Trizophrenia is a fun and informative read for anyone who loves time on a bike, on the road, or in the water." — Greg Moody, author and critic for CBS 4 Denver
“In Trizophrenia, Mallet uses humor to make pain interesting and entertaining, as he presents the trials and tribulations of the elite athletes who swim, bike and run, all in the same race.” — Lansing City Pulse
Book Description
Trizophrenia celebrates the seemingly obsessive-compulsive rituals of the triathlete. Eat, swim, eat, work, eat, run, eat, go to bed early. Get up at dawn and do it all over again. The schedule of a triathlete demands focus and coordination, but with three sports, a job, and a family, it can be a lot to juggle. With humor, insight, and perhaps a bit of pride, Mallett spins out the story that begins with a whim or a friend’s prodding and then takes on new meaning. Mallett’s colorful anecdotes capture all the glory of training and the lasting rewards of race day, relishing the legs of the race that went so well and replaying the one that did not. Humorous illustrations bring to life the countless conundrums a triathlete must face and embrace. Mallett’s light-hearted declaration of love for his sport draws from a wide range of personal experiences and sources—literature, music, and science—that will convince anyone that life is more worth living when you’re a triathlete.
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More About the Author
While in high school, Jef Mallett produced a daily comic for the Pioneer in Big Rapids, MI. He later worked as a cartoonist, and as an art director and an editorial cartoonist for a chain of eight midsize dailies. He has written and illustrated the children's book Dangerous Dan, and has also served as an illustrator for other authors, including best-seller Mitch Albom. Jef is also a contributing editor for Inside Triathalon magazine. He lives in Lansing, MI. (www.comics.com/comics/frazz/)
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is a hilarious book filled with anecdotes and even a little information about triathlons, triathletes, triathlon equipment, etc. Unfortunately, the book seems to be aimed at those who have never done a triathlon before, but most of the humor in the book will appeal more to existing triathletes. I'm just not sure that beginning triathletes are going to bother buying a book that is, essentially, a parody of an introduction to the sport, and I doubt that many seasoned triathletes will bother buying a book that is so introductory, even if it is a parody. That being said, I have immensely enjoyed the book, the footnotes (~50% of the text!), and especially the illustrations. I personally bought this book because I recognized Jef Mallet's illustrations, and I wanted a light read. In that context, I have not been disappointed, and I hope it manages to sell well despite the aforementioned target audience problem.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Quick review 'cause I gotta get out and do a brick. Jef Mallett nails this! He truly captures the angst, joy, satisfaction, stomach churns, and inexplicability that tangles its way through triathletes. By doing so, he gives us the gift of great peace in knowing We Are Not Alone. He makes you laugh a lot (good cross training, btw). Woven in here are myriad tips for being ok with wherever you are in this great sport, however old you are (I'm an "older" convert), and for how to improve if you want to. A big plus: You'll find yourself reading pieces of this to your baffled partner and cheerleaders and skeptics and see the light come on in their heads. They won't be any less baffled, but they will be more understanding!
By gocubzgo
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Purchased this as a gift for my Brother in Law, who competes in many marathons and triathlon events each year. He loves this book, as well as Mallett's Frazz comic strip.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Loved it
It's like this book climbed into my mind and read me. I couldn't put it down and was laughing out loud on the commuter train. If you are a Triathlete, it's great. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Jason
5.0 out of 5 stars
HILARIOUS!!
If you're even thinking about triathlon, this book covers it all in a humorous style with plenty of facts intertwined with sideways observations and tips that can only come from... Read more
Published 6 months ago by Christos M Roustemis
5.0 out of 5 stars
Warning: May cause laughter
This book is hilarious! I wish there were more like it. It is so easy to apply humor to endurance sports that I'm surprised there aren't more books like this one, actually. Read more
Published 7 months ago by BioTriGirl
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good comedy heals the soul
This book is by no means to be taken too seriously. For a new triathlete, this was a breath of fresh air; everyone has the same issues, or worse! Read more
Published 17 months ago by J. Cornwell
5.0 out of 5 stars
Better than Gels
Hilarious and honest. I love Jef's sense of humor. There are great comics he has drawn himself, the chapters really get to the heart of triathlons and the triathlete, and he... Read more
Published 20 months ago by Marie
4.0 out of 5 stars
Go Ahead Buy it
The footnotes are a little annoying but it is a good light read. If you have done any triathlons you will enjoy this book.
Published 22 months ago by bg
5.0 out of 5 stars
A fun walk on the lighter side of triathlon
Yes, I'm one of them. I'm a longtime triathlete - more than 15 years now - and I've read and written hundreds of race reports and training articles. This book is different. Read more
Published on May 20, 2011 by David B. Glover
5.0 out of 5 stars
A good fun approach to a sport people should have more fun doing
If you have been a serious (not necessarily good or great) triathlete for some time then sit down with Jeff's book and take time to laugh at yourself. Read more
Published on November 10, 2010 by G. UMBERGER
4.0 out of 5 stars
Triathlete Humor
This was a Christmas gift for my sister-in-law. It was a well received gift but for an experienced triathlete; it is funny more than informational.
Published on August 30, 2010 by AuntieM
4.0 out of 5 stars
Funny and encouraging
a well written book, enumerates many of the foibles of triathlons and the associated culture; there are more laughs than serious training advice. Read more
Published on May 11, 2010 by W. W. Ewin
