Year of the Ironman

by Jerry Williamson, Andrew Straka

It started with a visit to Upstate New York. When thirty-nine year old software engineer Jerry Williamson and wife Denise witness the midnight bedlam at Ironman Lake Placid and the throng is moved to tears. The loudest cheers go to the stragglers, the Ironman triathletes who find a way to drag themselves across the line before the midnight deadline. Their reward? A roar from the crowd loud enough to drown out the space shuttle, sweaty hugs with family, and the coveted call that every triathlete lives for, “You are an Ironman!” The moment changes Jerry for life as he signs up for the next year’s race, wondering what he is getting himself into. While Year of the Ironman chronicles the challenges that Jerry could never have imagined when he started his year of intensive training, his story is really about chasing a dream. His insider view of an extreme lifestyle offers hope and encouragement to those wearied by life’s routines.

306 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 7, 2011

Reviews

[Daniel Paterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read

For those who enjoy pouring over everything Ironman this is an easy read. Great motivation to keep pushing. Don’t expect anything other than an honest raw but enjoyable account of what it’s like to train for an ironman.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I have a particular appetite for books about how and why people do endurance events. This one was interesting because he acknowledges the impact on his personal life. He also avoided the narrative killer of too much detail on training. He highlighted the best of his workouts and moved on which kept this from becoming a slog.

This is the sort of book that has appeal to a limited audience - the author is not inspiring because he is overcoming something he is interesting because he is very ordinary. And for a look at what would make an ordinary person do these things this is a quick and fun take.

[Danny Bernier · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable read...I love hearing about the race and wish that part was longer

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

Obsessed with tri books.

[Victoria · Rating 3 out of 5]

These books, to me, are like Danielle Steele novels to others...