Triathloning for Ordinary Mortals

by Steven Jonas, Virginia Aronson

A regimen for training that can be followed by anyone, anywhere, any time of year, and that makes triathloning a pleasure rather than an ordeal. The explosion of interest in physical fitness that has sent Americans running, bicycling, and swimming by the tens of thousands now extends to the fitness competition that combines all three --triathloning. Steven Jonas, a former nonathlete who began endurance sports in middle age, offers an accessible program for anyone from beginner to experienced jogger. Dr. Jonas's own experiences are the basis of this user-friendly book, directed to the person who wants to do more than just run. He sets forth basic recommendations on equipment necessary for triathloning and outlines a three-phased training program that will take the untrained beginner to a state of fitness where he or she can complete a triathlon of moderate distance. The book includes a chapter on nutrition and a stretching program. Dr. Jonas has revised and updated the work to include information on how to run longer races, how to train for the increasingly popular duathlon (run/bike/run), and new tips from his further fifteen years of experience. Techniques, fitness, training, equipment, nutrition, pre-race, the race itself --a readable introduction for the aspiring recreational triathloner. A new chapter on duathlons and how to run longer races, and updated appendixes on the latest magazines and books of interest to triathloners.

Genres: Health, Fitness

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1986

About the author

Dr. Steven Jonas is Professor Emeritus of Preventive Medicine at the Renaissance School of Medicine, and the Program in Public Health, at Stony Brook University. He served at Stony Brook Medicine for 43 years, 1971-2014. He has published 17 books on topics ranging from public health textbooks to sports medicine, diet, and triathlon books.

Reviews

[Brooks]

Read the 2006 release. A bit dated (GPS watches not really covered). But the training plan is very simple - basically it is about minutes per workout, building over 13 weeks to prepare. But peaks at 6.5 hours of training in a week - very reasonable. Focus is for beginners building to Olympic length, not Ironman or those needing detailed technical help.

[Dave]

Great book - required reading for beginning multi-sport athletes. His mindset is exactly what most people need to get the most out of the sport.

[Karyn]

I'm doing a triathlon in a few months and hoped this book would have some tips. While I always enjoy reading things about working out, this book fell short. It's well-written, I just didn't learn anything I didn't already know about endurance sports. It feels like I could have written this book, and I've never done a triathlon. I am sort of following one of the training schedules (I modified it a bit to fit my obsession with running and new found love affair with swimming; not that I don't like biking, I just don't feel as strongly about it as I do the other two sports) and if my race goes well, then maybe the book will have been worth the read. But as of right now, not so much. . .

[Thomas]

Looking to do your first triathlon? Don't have much of a running, biking, or swimming background? Want a proven work-out pattern, some "straight talk" on what expect, and lots of positive encouragement? Jonas does a fantastic job in speaking to "Ordinary Mortals" about all of the above. His 13-week training program is very do-able, and proven. Though the book was written in the '80's, he's updated it and I found the content very relevant for my needs. I will be running my first triathlon this year. Just like he says: if he can do it, I can to!

[Sarah]

Great intro to the triathlon. Love the author's attitude. He's slow (legitimately slow, not like those people who talk about their easy runs being 8min/mile) and competes just to finish and have fun.

I'm not fond of the training plan. It's based on time, not distance, and most of it doesn't specify swim/bike/run, you decide how you want to split up your training. I prefer more structure. That said, the guy's been racing for 25+ years, so it clearly works for him.

[Kate]

yeah, i mean, this was cool. the one i read was a little dated (a changing room for switching clothes between events? yeah right, they don't have that shit anymore!) but gave some good basic tips, like about cadence for cycling. glad i got it from the library rather than buying it.

[Eric]

Concise and lucid work by a fitness MD. Great practical knowledge and fun read as the doc takes you through his 1st triathlon (at age 45) through his 100th (in his 60s). Motivating and full of answers for the beginner.

[Gloria]

I thought the book was really helpful. Jonas laid everything out really clearly and gave some good pointers for first time racers. Can't wait for my first duathlon!