Triathlon for the Every Woman: You Can Be a Triathlete. Yes. You.

I should be the target audience for this. I am a 50-something ex-lawyer cancer survivor who did one single solitary sprint triathlon 30 years ago. Atwood's book is an incoherent jumble of rambling self indulgent journaling, unnecessary information (how to run? Really?), insufficient necessary information (too many suggestions to "google it" to learn something actually useful.) Maybe if I'd ever been obese I would find her relatable. Instead, especially being an exlawyer myself, I find her just as annoyingly self-indulgent as all the lawyers I've ever known. Besides, going from binge-eater, to abuser of diet drugs, to extreme endurance athlete, I"m not sure she's role model I want to emulate. I'm glad she's found a way out of law practice. I'll look elsewhere for Triathlon advice.

This book is a must-read for all male coaches, spouses, and partners of female triathletes with children, careers, you name it. The title may imply it’s just for women but it’s not. To all the guys out there, do yourself a favor and read this book… Or at least by this for you female triathlete and secretly read it while they’re not. You really should read this… it will help you make your female athlete’s life easier… making your life easier…As a certified USAT and Ironman coach of many female athletes, I can say every male coach should read this book. It gives a great insight into what many of the female Age Group athletes deal with on a daily basis during training, racing, working, family life, and a routine daily basis… and it does it all while being quite humorous which is an added bonus. I can say without a doubt it will help any male who has a relationship with a female triathlete, whether he’s a coach, spouse, or partner, appreciate all the issues thrown at them while they’re simply trying to do one thing: cross the finish line on race day.The book is by far THE best triathlon book for a beginner athlete, male or female. There may be other books with catchy titles like “The beginner’s guide” or the “The Bible” but this is the ultimate guide. It’s highly organized, well thought out, and very detailed. Not only does it have tidbits and helpful hints but it also covers some of the psychological and emotional things new triathletes will face during training and racing. It will help you prepare for those thoughts and make you realize that you’re perfectly normal and not alone. There may be other books that offer you more details on training specifics but no other book will help you prepare for your first race day better than this book will physically, mentally, or emotionally.Meredith has organized this book brilliantly and made the sport of triathlon so easy to digest… and blesses the readers by adding her own humorous experiences to it that each and everyone can or will relate to during their love of triathlon. From the basics of swim, bike, and run, small details of stretching to the mental games of the sport, marriage, parenthood, work, to decision-making on when to move to the next distance, she covers it all.It’s obvious there was a lot of blood, sweat, and tears put into the revised edition. Don’t let the title of the book fool you, this is a must read for everyone involved with triathlon.

When I originally decided to enter my first triathlon in 2015, the first edition of "Triathlon for the Every Woman" was the very first book I read after the shock of "what have I just signed up for???" wore off and the Googling began. The most important thing that this book does is encourages its readers to cultivate not just the physical skills necessary to complete a triathlon, but also the mindset necessary to show up at the start line. It has the perfect balance of personal anecdotes, humor, expert advice, and "common sense" to help anyone safely get to that starting line - especially for average people with jobs, kids, bills, and stressful lives. It is because of books like this one that people are realizing more and more the power of connection in supporting physical and mental health, and that out there on the course are people of all shapes, sizes and ages right alongside the professionals. What other sport truly allows the privilege of this kind of connection? This fact shines through in Meredith's writing. Twenty-two triathlons later (including three half-Ironmans), I still follow Meredith's advice to be a student of triathlon; always learning and growing, and thus I eagerly awaited the second edition of this life-changing book. My favorite part of the second edition is the nutrition advice, and also the section on data for folks like me who enjoy seeing the success of their journey bear out in numbers and pairing this with how they are feeling in evaluating their progress. Reading the second edition reminded me to be mindful and appreciative of the amazing things my body can do when I really listen to it, and that the true reward is not the finisher's medal but the hard work and the journey in getting to that starting line.

I'm training for a half-Ironman this fall, and I have read every blog, book, and training guide I can get my hands on. This is the best thing I'v found so far. The writing is funny, accessible, and relatable. The advice is practical. She demystifies the training process and makes it clear the finishing a triathlon is not something reserved for Adonis-like lifelong athletes in fitness ads. I want to complete my race in a decent time, and I have to fit my training in between work and other responsibilities. If you want a book and training plan that will get you to Kona, well, this probably isn't that book. But if you're a woman who wants a swift kick in the bike shammy, a good laugh, AND some useful advice on how to approach tri successfully, this book is going to be my first recommendation.

LOVE. LOVE. LOVE this book! So much down to earth humor and truth for any woman who wants to make changes in her life and start into triathlon! I wish this book was around when I got into the sport to guide me. This book has all those details that elite/professional triathletes might gloss over or never even talk about. Meredith brings it all into the open and lays it out there for any beginner to gobble up and gain confidence that she can be a triathlete!

This book is really, really good! Meredith describes her journey into triathlons with such humour, but mixes it well with the reality of juggling a marriage and children as well as a stressful job. I have read a lot of triathlon books and whilst useful, they are aimed at serious triathlon nuts who have lots of time to train. Meredith's book offers practical advice to us 'normal' people and she really does make me appreciate what I've achieved in my own triathlon journey. I would recommend this to anybody who is thinking about aiming for their first triathlon, cycling event, run, or wants to try open water swimming.

This book really motivates you to just get on and do it!My partner has done quite a few tri s, I have wanted to do one butfelt I was not fast enough. After reading this book - I feel who caresI can do it. It's a funny book and has brought a tear to my eye.Definately buy this book if you feel that you want to try a tri but don'tthink you can because when you read this book you feel that it is possible!

This is a fantastic book for anyone interested in getting into triathlon or indeed those already out there. Meredith expertly covers all aspects from training to race prep to mental resilience. Definitely a must read!

I love the simplicity and down to earth nature of this book. It literally made me get up and start training! I’m so looking forward to my first Tri with this book as my Tri-bible.

Inspiring book.