Your First Triathlon [Paperback]

Joe Friel (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 12, 2006

Every year thousands of people decide to take on a sprint triathlon for the first time. Now USA Triathlon and USA Cycling certified coach Joe Friel provides a complete guide to finishing that first triathlon. The same principles and training methodology that the pros and committed triathletes rely on are presented here in language that a beginner can easily understand. Friel maps a course to prepare for a sprint-distance triathlon in 12 weeks, with five hours of training each week, plenty of rest, and the beginnings of a lifestyle marked by a commitment to health and fitness and personal growth. Your First Triathlon provides the training plans, workouts, checklists, and instruction that first-timers need. Joe Friel is known for his thorough approach and with his help, what may have begun as a challenge to complete a sprint triathlon will grow into a love for this demanding yet rewarding sport.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Any new triathlete would greatly benefit from this book, and if you were to buy just one book for your first triathlon, this would be the one!" — TriNewbies.com

"Joe takes the fear out of doing a first triathlon." — Barb Lindquist, 2004 USA Olympic Team

"If you are looking to get off to a great start in this sport, you have come to the right place!" — Siri Lindley, Triathlon World Champion

"Whether you're a beginning triathlete or a seasoned pro, Joe Friel is the utmost authority on triathlon training." — Ryan Bolton, 2000 USA Olympic Team

From the Publisher

"Any new triathlete would greatly benefit from this book, and if you were to buy just one book for your first triathlon, this would be the one!" --TriNewbies.com

"If you are looking to get off to a great start in this sport, you have come to the right place! Joe Friel's wealth of knowledge in triathlon is astounding and he has a wonderful way of sharing that knowledge with all athletes from beginners to elite professionals." --Siri Lindley, Triathlon World Champion

"Whether you're a beginning triathlete or a seasoned pro, Joe Friel is the leading authority on triathlon training." --Ryan Bolton, Ironman winner & 2000 USA Olympic Team

"Joe takes the fear out of doing a first triathlon. Joe's practical experience and wealth of scientific knowledge about triathlon are the perfect combination." --Barb Lindquist, 2004 USA Olympic Team

"Joe Friel has spent most of his life in devotion to the understanding and teaching of sport. Joe has managed to focus on the key components to athletic success while weeding out the noise." -- Justin Daerr, professional triathlete

"25 years of active multisport coaching has proven that Joe Friel has an unprecedented understanding of endurance sports. As a multiple triathlon world champion, I would consider Joe as one of the leading figures in triathlon coaching today. Joe's professional approach and practical understanding of sports physiology has helped many endurance athletes of all abilities reach their full athletic potential." --Simon Lessing, 5-time Triathlon World Champion

"With his book, Your First Triathlon, Joe Friel uses his expert knowledge to help new triathletes use the same training principles that have made The Triathlete's Training Bible such a success." --Gale Bernhardt, 2004 Team USA Olympic Triathlon Coach

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: VeloPress; First Edition edition (May 12, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1931382859
• ISBN-13: 978-1931382854
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.6 x 9.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (55 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #108,062 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #54 in Books > Sports & Outdoors > Other Team Sports > Track & Field
  • #56 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Exercise & Fitness > Triathlons

More About the Author

"Joe Friel has a masters degree in exercise science and has trained endurance athletes since 1980. His clients include elite amateur and professional road cyclists, mountain bikers, and triathletes and duathletes. His clients have included national champions, world championship competitors, and an Olympian.

He is the author of several training books and is a contributor to several magazines and websites around the world and offers clinics, seminars, and camps for athletes and coaches. He also consults with national sport federations and with businesses in the fitness industry. He is the cofounder of TrainingPeaks.com and TrainingBible Coaching.

As an age-group competitor, Joe has been a Colorado State Masters Triathlon champion, a Rocky Mountain region and Southwest region duathlon age-group champion, and a perennial USA Triathlon All-American duathlete. He also competes in bicycle races.

For information on coaching, speaking, or consulting services, contact him by email at [e-mail] or through his blog at www.joefrielsblog.com.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

65 of 65 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Got me through my first triathlon! November 24, 2007

By Katie

Format:Paperback

I did my first triathlon (sprint distance) in September after three months training, and I was lucky enough to have found this book towards the beginning of my training. Needless to say I am hooked and can't wait to do another one!!! The book did an amazing job of preparing me by arming me with the information I needed to train properly, learn new sports (I had never biked or swam seriously before), eat right, and avoid injury, and yet avoided getting too "hard core" (when you do your first triathlon you keep wondering whether or not you're crazy). Joe keeps it manageable. There is a scary overwhelmed feeling you can get when you start reading about some of the crazy training schedules and techniques out there -- and he really clears through all that and gets to the essentials you need to know to make it through your training and cross the finish line. For example, his race day prep chapter really helped me visualize what to expect on the big day. Also, I really liked his approach to gear -- you can really get sucked into buying a bunch of stuff -- and he emphasizes ways to work with stuff you already have (ex: your old mountain bike) until you're more experienced and can better select the right gear to invest in. Overall, I really liked his fun-first emphasis, while providing what is clearly well-researched and high quality information. Two thumbs up!

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Good for someone training for their 1st time May 4, 2008

By Jessica Brock

Format:Paperback

I was a little hesitant to buy this book after reading some of the reviews saying it was "too basic." I found it very helpful, esp the nutritional info. The training plan seems a little unrealistic -- its a 12 week plan that starts out with only 15 minute workouts. All in all, the book included a lot of valuable information that has helped me progress in my training for my first tri, but I wouldn't follow it word for word.

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Good but not great March 2, 2007

By I. Furness

Format:Paperback

More than any other peice of equipment, this book definitely gave me what I needed to get to the starting line. It gave me the confidence that I would need to finish my first tri. The book was definitely for me, the person who really doesn't know much about how to even start my training. The drills were helpful and the training calendar worked well to get me to my goal.

But, it is not without it's flaws. As already mentioned in other reviews, swimming is not covered enough to really help you out. My only real struggle was in the swim and his lack emphasis may have led to some over confidence from the attitude her presents. Also, the simplistic way it covered the training regimine was not helpful; I never understood why the drills I was doing were going to help.