Note: I am a voracious reader. I often joke that one of my fears is that I won’t live long enough to read all of the books on my list. Many of the books I read have something to do with spiritual, emotional or physical health. Or leadership. Or hiking. Or coaching. Or…
I’m a triathlon novice. I’ve completed four. That’s not many. My training method has been to sign up for a sprint and spend six to eight weeks training for it. After the event I’d revert back to my running program with a smattering of weight lifting mixed in. Later I’d register for another sprint and once again begin training at Ground Zero. Not a great plan for improvement. Last month I completed a mini-triathlon following a two-year hiatus.
I’ll admit it. August’s Girls Tri It On triathlon has rekindled my interest in multisport, so I ordered Meredith Atwood’s book “Triathlon For The Every Woman.” Meredith blogs at the hugely popular Swim Bike Mom, one of my regular stops on the Internet.
Part “you can do it” motivation, part “here’s how to do it” helpful tips including things I’d be too embarrassed to ask anyone (think bike saddles and pain), and part memoir, this book has gotten me all motivated to swim, bike and run throughout the upcoming off-season.
One of the things I appreciate most about Meredith’s book is her honesty about her struggles with food and emotional eating, and the fact that she carries extra weight. I think of her as the kindred spirit I have yet to meet. She also wrote candidly about some very personal marital struggles she and “The Expert” endured. She’s a brave mama jama.
She wrote the book prior to completing her first full Ironman distance event. I’d already read her blog account of that huge accomplishment, so when she wrote about wanting to complete 140.6, I knew how that story would end.
If you’ve always wanted to do a triathlon but didn’t have the confidence, or if you think you don’t have the time, I recommend this book. Meredith has a full time job and two young kids. If she can do it, I can do it. And so can you.
482gr8 