In the world of triathlons, books can play an important role.
Not training manuals, triathlon books are those that inspire, educate, and motivate.
Here, we explore a range of triathlon training books that can enhance every aspect of your triathlon journey.
5 Best Triathlon Books
Triathlete’s Training Bible by Joe Friel
When it comes to triathlon training books, Joe Friel’s “The Triathlete’s Training Bible” is a classic.
This book is a must-read for triathletes of all levels. It covers everything from planning your training season to improving your race strategy.
It is a well-organized instructional guide that includes a yearly training plan and specific exercises for swimming, cycling, running, and combined training.
Additionally, the book covers the psychological and mental aspects of training and competition. It is one of the best triathlon books that any serious athlete should have in their library.
Going Long: Training for Triathlon’s Ultimate Challenge by Joe Friel and Gordon Byrn
This book is really helpful for people training for long-distance events like Ironman.
It teaches the basics of triathlon training and how to build up your endurance. Plus, it gives advice on swimming, biking, and running.
It’s especially great because it includes tips on staying mentally strong and making the most of your training time.
There are sample training plans, lots of pictures and graphs, and stories from other athletes to help you out.
The Four Pillars of Triathlon: Vital Mental Conditioning for Endurance Athletes by Will Murray and Craig Howie
This book delves into the mental aspect of triathlon training and racing, focusing on four key pillars: motivation, focus, confidence, and commitment.
Murray and Howie draw from sports psychology and personal experiences to provide practical techniques and exercises for developing mental toughness, managing race-day nerves, preventing injury, and overcoming challenges.
The book offers valuable insights into the psychological demands of triathlon and empowers athletes to strengthen their mental game for improved performance and enjoyment in the sport.
Triathlon Anatomy by Mark Klion and Troy Jacobson
“Triathlon Anatomy” offers a unique perspective on training by focusing on the anatomy and physiology of the body in relation to triathlon performance.
The book features detailed illustrations and explanations of the specific muscles used when we swim, cycle, and run, along with exercises to strengthen and optimize their function.
It provides valuable insights into biomechanics and injury prevention tailored specifically to triathletes.
Finding Ultra by Rich Roll
“Finding Ultra” is a memoir written by Rich Roll, an American author, podcaster, plant-based nutrition advocate, and ultra-endurance athlete.
The book chronicles Roll’s personal journey from a mid-life crisis marked by depression, alcoholism, and being overweight to becoming one of the world’s fittest men and an accomplished endurance athlete.
Roll shares his experiences competing in grueling endurance events such as Ultraman competitions and EPIC5, which involves completing five Ironman-distance triathlons on five Hawaiian islands in as many days.
“Finding Ultra” not only serves as a motivational story of personal transformation but also provides practical insights into the benefits of plant-based nutrition and the mental and physical challenges of endurance sports.
Triathlon 2.0: Data-Driven Performance Training by Jim Vance
“Triathlon 2.0: Data-Driven Performance Training” is a book by Jim Vance, a coach and expert in triathlon training. It’s all about using technology and data to get better at triathlons.
Vance shows how gadgets like GPS watches and heart rate monitors can help athletes train smarter and race faster.
In this triathlon book, Vance explains how to use these tools to understand your body better, plan your workouts, and shares time-efficient training secrets to improve your performance.
He covers things like setting up training plans, understanding your body’s limits, and even how to mentally prepare for races.
“Triathlon 2.0” is for anyone who loves triathlons and wants to take their training to the next level using the latest technology.
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced triathlete, this book can help you train smarter and achieve your multisport goals.
Strength Training for Triathletes by Patrick Hagerman
Strength Training for Triathletes by Patrick Hagerman is a helpful book for triathletes who want to achieve their peak performance.
Hagerman, who knows a lot about exercise and triathlons, explains why strength training is important for triathletes. He shows how doing certain exercises can make you stronger and faster while reducing the risk of injury.
In the book, you’ll find different training blocks and key workouts that fit with your triathlon training schedule, whether you’re doing short races or long ones.
With clear explanations and helpful illustrations, “Strength Training for Triathletes” is a great guide for anyone who wants to improve their triathlon performance through strength training.
Iron War by Dave Scott, Mark Allen, and the Greatest Race Ever Run
Iron War is a book that recounts the legendary rivalry between Mark Allen and Dave Scott, two of the greatest triathletes in history.
Written by Matt Fitzgerald, the book focuses on their intense competition during the 1989 Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii.
Mark Allen and Dave Scott were already well-established as successful athletes in the triathlon world, but their rivalry reached its peak during the 1989 Ironman race.
The book tells the exciting story of a legendary triathlon race between Mark Allen and Dave Scott. It describes the tough challenges they faced, both physically and mentally, during the race.
The story gives us a peek into their lives, how they trained, and how determined they were to win.
The race came down to a thrilling battle during the marathon part, with Allen and Scott racing side by side for hours in hot weather. In the end, Allen won the race.
This book isn’t just about sports; it also teaches us important lessons about never giving up and pushing ourselves to our limits.
It’s a must-read for anyone who loves triathlons or enjoys inspiring stories of athletes’ achievements and human endurance.
Best Triathlete Nutrition Book
Nutrition is the foundation of any athlete’s training and performance.
“The New Encyclopedia of Modern Bodybuilding” by Arnold Schwarzenegger is not a special book on triathlon.
However, it is a great resource with a comprehensive section on nutrition.
Pay attention to “Sports Nutrition for Endurance Athletes” by Monique Ryan.
This book focuses on nutrition for endurance disciplines, including triathlon.
She gives you the information you need to nourish your body during training and racing.
“The Well-Built Triathlete: Turning Potential into Performance” by Matt Dixon is another book that helps triathletes improve their sport by focusing on nutrition and training.
Dixon, an expert coach, explains how what you eat affects how well you train and perform in races. He gives easy-to-follow advice on what to eat before, during, and after workouts and on race day.
The book also discusses common problems triathletes face, like feeling sick during races or struggling to keep their weight in check.
Dixon offers practical solutions to these issues so triathletes can feel and perform their best.
It emphasizes the importance of balance in training, recovery, nutrition, and functional strength for optimal athletic performance.
Inspiring Memoirs from Multisport Athletes
Personal stories of triumph and perseverance can serve as powerful motivators.
Chrissie Wellington’s memoir, “A Life Without Limits,” is one such inspiring tale.
As a four-time Ironman World Champion, her journey is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of determination.
“I’m Here To Win” by Chris McCormack offers a motivational look into the mind of a champion.
In her comprehensive book, McCormack shares his experience to inspire and guide aspiring triathletes.
Here you will find everything from training tips to race day strategies.
Motivational Training Books from Triathlon Community
Triathlon is as much a mental challenge as it is a physical one.
Check out “Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption” by Laura Hillenbrand.
Although the book is not triathlon-specific, it serves as a poignant reminder of human tenacity and endurance.
“The Champion’s Mind: How Great Athletes Think, Train, and Thrive” by Jim Afremow is another inspiring book worth checking out.
Sports psychologist Afremow offers valuable advice on developing mental toughness, endurance, and triathlon physiology.
They are essential for success in triathlon and other sports.
Another book “The Rise of Superman: Decoding the Science of Ultimate Human Performance” by Steven Kotler.
It explores how extreme athletes use “flow” to achieve incredible things. This book provides fascinating insights into how triathletes can adapt to their high-intensity training and races.
Reading as Part of the Triathlon Journey
Triathlon is an ultimate fitness journey that requires a balance of physical strength, nutritional knowledge, and mental resilience.
The right books (it doesn’t matter whether they are ebooks or not) can play an important role. They can offer practical advice, provide training guidance, nutritional advice, and motivational boosts.
These triathlon books provide invaluable information to help you reach your full potential as a triathlete.
From understanding the ins and outs of proper nutrition to learning how to optimize your training schedule to perform your best at pivotal moments, you can discover a lot about this sport from people who have already experienced it.
It is important to remember that the path to becoming a triathlete is not only a path to a goal but also many challenges and victories along the way.
Remember, part of the joy of being a triathlete is constantly learning and growing.
Consider adding some of these reads to your training regimen, whether you are preparing for your first marathons or looking forward to your next big races.
Who knows, the next book you pick up could be the one that takes your triathlon journey to the next level!
Be sure to check out our next article, where we will dive deeper into the best methods of training for your first triathlon.
