I f youre a tired athlete looking for inspiration, look no further than this collection of short stories written by Alan Pitman. No matter what sport youre passionate about, youll find insights that will help you hone your focus and boost performance. Youll also be entertained by his many adventures. Although hes coached more than three hundred Ironman finishers over twenty five years, Pitman shares that at times, even hes found it hard to train. Thats why he recommends having a training partner, as its easier to let yourself down than one of your friends waiting out in the cold on a dark morning. As you read Pitmans stories, youll be challenged to never settle for anything other than excellence, to set lofty goals, and keep going when you want to give up. Youll also learn how to prevent injuries, take calculated risks, build self-esteem, embrace change, and learn from failure. Get motivated and get moving with 100 Bedtime Stories for Triathletes. I am both pleased and honoured to be able to endorse Allans book. Allan is an amazing athlete. Triathlete, Ironman multiple finisher of forty three races, an Ironman in Australia Legend and finisher of 17 Ironman World Championship races including four podium appearance. As a renowned and hugely respected Ironman Triathlon coach of many years standing his words of wisdom on every page are both profound and inspirational and a must read for all athletes especially Ironman Triathlon aspirants as well as past and continuing competitors. Ken Baggs, OAM

A New York Times bestselling author takes readers inside the Ironman triathlon. As he did so masterfully in his New York Times bestseller, The Gatekeepers, Jacques Steinberg creates a compelling portrait of people obsessed with reaching a life-defining goal. In this instance, the target is an Ironman triathlon-a 2.4-mile open-water swim followed by a 112-mile bike ride, then finally a 26-mile marathon run, all of which must be completed in no more than seventeen hours. Steinberg focuses not on the professionals who live off the prize money and sponsorships but on a handful of triathletes who regard the sport as a hobby. Vividly capturing the grueling preparation, the suspense of completing each event of the triathlon, and the spectacular feats of human endurance, Steinberg plumbs the physical and emotional toll as well as the psychological payoff on the participants of the Ford Ironman Arizona 2009. His You Are an Ironman is both a riveting sports narrative and a fascinating, behind-the scenes study of what makes these athletes keep going..

Chrissie Wellington, the world's number one female Ironman athlete and four-time World Ironman Champion, presents her struggles, wisdom, and experiences gained from her hard-won career as a triathlete. With close to 2 million core participants, triathlons of various distances and challenges are attracting more participants than ever before. In TO THE FINISH LINE, one of the sports' greatest legends brings triathlon to life, with guidance for newbies or experienced athletes, to achieve their best triathlons-no matter their ability. Filled with training tips, practical advice and inside information from a champion, triathletes of all levels can benefit from Wellington's experience and insight. Her book will guide readers on their own journey, whether that be a sprint or an Ironman, and encourage them to rise to every new challenge.

Brock Gibbs' funny autobiographical account of his quest for a podium finish in an Ironman 70.3 World Championships is anything but a how-to guide on becoming a champion. Gibbs hilariously, and touchingly, weaves together stories of his own madman pursuits as he pushes himself to his limits: physically, mentally, and emotionally. In a funny, self-deprecating way, the author describes what goes through his mind as he transforms from neophyte Ironman competitor to a seasoned 10th place finisher at the World Championship level. Gibbs captures the raw beauty of a man who is desperate to understand the tricks, traditions, and training secrets of triathlon. Audiences will laugh with the author, who is a stranger in a strange land, as he is confronted with the ritualistic behaviour of triathlon transition zones and the primordial call of the pre-race bathroom visit. Through the comical retellings of his experiences preparing for and competing in the swim, bike, and run elements of this gruelling endurance sport, Gibbs recounts his struggle to be the best in spite of his own personal suffering. The author is a natural storyteller who uses humour to captivate his audience as he describes the brutally punishing road to becoming a World Champion in his age group, but just when his dream is within reach, Gibbs discovers a basic human truth that risks derailing it all. All triathletes, from novice age-groupers to seasoned professionals, will be able to relate to the situations Gibbs comically recounts and will repeatedly find themselves saying, "Yeah, I've done that".

..".George's books just keep getting better..." ..".laugh out loud funny (note to self, don't read it on the tube)..." ..".it won't fail to entertain, enthral and motivate..." ..".hilarious and heart-warming..." ..".inspiring, poignant and humorous..." ..".I laughed, I cried, and am proud of a man I have never met..." Operation Ironman follows George Mahood's inspiring and entertaining journey from a hospital bed to an Ironman triathlon. After major surgery to remove a spinal cord tumour, George set himself the ultimate challenge - a 2.4 mile swim, a 112 mile bike ride, and a 26.2 mile run, all to be completed within 16 hours. He couldn't swim more than a length of front crawl, he had never ridden a proper road bike, and he had not run further than 10k in 18 months. He had four months to prepare. Could he do it?

Swim, Bike, Run is the ultimate triathlon book, from Olympic heroes the Brownlee brothers The Olympic Triathlon, Hyde Park, London August 7th 2012 'We jogged to our positions on the pontoon: two brothers, side by side, the world and everyone we ever cared about looking on. Eighteen years of training, culminating in this single race. Noise from the crowd impossible to imagine. Hearts thumping. Swim-hats pulled tight, goggles lowered. Into a crouch, poised for the hooter. Three. Two. One...' This is the story of how two skinny lads from west Yorkshire became the best triathletes in the world. Meet the Brownlees: Olympic Champion Alistair, World Champion Jonny. Brothers, training partners, rivals. They have obliterated the competition and set new standards for swimming, biking and running. But the Brownlee brothers have never forgotten their roots. They still do their schoolboy hill runs and Dales rides; still train harder and longer than anyone; still push each other to new heights. In this revealing, often very funny book they take us inside their world and inside their races. It's both a riveting story of brotherly rivalry and a rare insight into what it takes to be the best. Swim, Bike, Run is also packed with training secrets. Whether you are thinking about your first triathlon or are a seasoned competitor, here are unique sections on how to swim, bike and run, and advice on nutrition, injury, and mental approach. With the Brownlees in your corner, you will do more than you ever thought possible. This book is essential reading for anyone interested in swimming, cycling and running and will be loved by readers of Mark Cavendish's Boy Racer and Running with the Kenyans. Alistair Brownlee, 24, is a British triathlete from Yorkshire. He is the reigning Olympic champion, a back-to-back European champion and a two-time World champion. Jonathan Brownlee, 22, is also a British triathlete from Yorkshire. He is the reigning World Champion, a two-time World Sprint champion and an Olympic bronze medalist. 'Sport has two new heroes: a couple of nice lads from Yorkshire ' The Times

Susan and Carlos were unlikely friends. She was a young, overweight college professor and a bit of a trainwreckjuggling a divorce, a pack-a-day habit, and hiding empty boxes of wine under her bed. He was her boss, an Ironman triathlete, with life figured out. She was a whiner, he was a hard-ass. He had his shit together, she most assuredly did not.Trash-talking workouts, breakdowns, a devastating diagnosisthis heartwarming story of training buddies reveals a deep and abiding friendship that traversed life, sport, and everything in between. Their journey reveals the inspiring power of sports and friendship to change lives forever.Amusing and poignant, Life’s Too Short To Go So F*cking Slow is about running and triathlon, growth and heartbreak, and an epic friendship that went the distance.