Triathlon for Beginners: Everything You Need to Know About Training, Nutrition, Kit, Motivation, Racing, and Much More

I found this book to be perfect for beginners. I had just signed up for my first sprint triathlon (on my bucket list) and previously was just a runner. I started training 14 weeks before my race, and read this book cover to cover twice. What I liked about the book was that it answered all of my questions about what to expect, how to prepare (mentally, physically, and equipment wise), so that on race day (last weekend), I had only the usual race day jitters. I've looked at the other reviews, and I agree that it doesn't go into much detail about training plans, but this book is for BEGINNERS. I combined this book with a 12 week beginner tri training plan I found online, and....got 3rd place in my age category. This was a crucial book for my success with my first race. Highly, highly recommend for beginners. If you're looking for more in depth or detailed, or info for seasoned triathlons, this may not be the book for you. I'm sure I'll read it again before my next race.

Very helpful if youre starting training from scratch, it covers all the basics without using overly complicated jargon. It is for the very beginner though and if you have a little experience in the three disciplines, this book wont be too helpful. I have done one triathlon and a number of cycle and running races and was looking for a book that would help me identify my basic mistakes as well as give me a little bit of advanced knowledge, I didnt find TOO much useful info here (most of what I found seemed to be common sense to someone who has some experience) but once i had finished it I did hand it off to a friend doing her first triathlon and she found it very handy.

I am in the Contemplative Stage of Triathlon, and this book was very informative. It addressed lots of detail that can easily get overlooked, but presented in an accessible way. It’s also very encouraging for wherever one is in their endurance training and provides a great confidence boost!

Have no problem with the content of this book. The information in it is worth it to anyone considering doing a triathlon. However, the author needs an editor and the inside looks like it was designed by a 12-year-old grade school student for a class project. The version I got didn't have any page numbers in either the table of contents nor on the pages. And if you are looking for illustrations or photographs to clarify something, forget about it. There are none. A picture of an illustration on how to do a basic squat would prove useful, but don't look for one in this book. The author does seem to know what he is talking about and there is some idea of organizing the chapters. But from that point things begin to wander about. For example, the author talks about "junk miles" at one point but five pages he gets around to actually defining junk miles. This book could have been so much better from an editing and graphic design perspective. April 23, 2014 UPDATE: The author just recently sent me a revised copy of this book. The insides have been redesigned to include illustrations and photographs. and the text formatting has been redesigned. As a result, this book is now much, much easier to read. Unfortunately there are still no page numbers on either the table of contents or on any of the pages.

I read the book over and over and have it with me everywhere i go, i am going to have my first triathlon this coming Sunday, i have never participate in anything like it before i just wanted to get out of my comfort zone but i didn't know what to do or what i needed. This book guide me like if it was taking my hand from step to step and help me even how to look and buy my bike which i didn't even have a clue about. Today i feel confident and even a few days away and looking for my last things on my list i still have this book under my arm checking on my final list. I went to take classes on how to fix my bike as well. Thank you so much for taking the time to write this book and guide millions of people like this time that you are guiding me. i am going with my head up, really excited and confident to this event that means the world to me. Thank you jv

Excellent guide for beginners. I always thinks it’s a lark when people say they borrowed this or that for their 1st Sprint, but they do! I’m 364 days away from my 1st Sprint! 60/F/CA category?! 1st page of my journal done! Mantra: Adapt and overcome. And training smarter!

Dan Golding presents a lot of helpful information in a few pages. The book is easy to read and moves quickly. The problem with triathlon in general is that it ranges from the Iron Man to the sprint, from events that take more than 10 hours to complete to those that take less than 2 hours. So, you have to read and adapt to tailor to your event. As a senior sprint triathlete, I found this book very helpful. If you put it together with Joe Friel's Your First Triathlon it will help you fully prepare for your first triathlon. Where this book is weak is in the section on transitions. I don't know how it is in Great Britain, but in most sprint tri's you are lucky to have 3 sq. feet to organize your stuff. My last one, the woman next to me brought all her stuff in a laundry basket which crowded me even more. But overall, the book is worth your time.

As a beginner I find this book as an excellent guide through so much of information that available out there. The latter actually creates sometimes confusion and incorrect understanding. Buying this book at a right time was a key factor in my preparation for my first sprint triathlon. I now feel much confident and calm in my mind that I have done everything correctly and I will enjoy the race and my results. All comments and recommendations are written in a very simple and basic language which is most of the is so important. Thanks for the nice and helpful book.

This book is perfect for the beginner which I am, as it's so easy to understand and practical in its approach. It gives a very clear understanding of everything one needs to know to start their triathlon journey. As a beginner I find this book an excellent guide through the volume of information that is available. I now feel confident in my preparations and very calm overall about my race and my results as this book has given me a practical framework to assess it all. As its so clear, it takes the fear out of why we can't do a triathlon and makes you feel like anyone can complete. It has very sound advice on every aspect of training and the event itself. The transition information alone is worth the price of the book. Highly recommended, 5 big stars.

As someone completely new to triathlon, I have to say I was incredibly stressed in the days following signing up for my first (I jumped in at the deep end with an Iron Man next summer!). One night unable to sleep, I went on Amazon and bought this book. It arrived the next day, and having read it I feel considerably better. Dan's writing style goes a long way to making the task seem more manageable, and gives realistic advice that seems obvious at first until you realise you hadn't even thought about it. A great read for anyone looking to reduce stress levels about their first event. I am sure I will keep following his advice long into the future.

Ultimate .. Truely useful . I could do my first triathlon with comfort . Looking forward for new additions. Shailesh Hadgaonkar ..a Try athelete = Triathelete

Well written book but the book but the subject is treated a little too succinctly.

Easy reading, you get all essential info in general. I would definitely recommend this for all who want to begin training !