Please comment and let me know if you have other favorites!
Pro Triathlete Biographies
- As the Crow Flies: My Journey to Ironman World Champion by Craig Alexander (2012)
- A Life Without Limits by Chrissie Wellington (2012)
- Iron War: Dave Scott, Mark Allen, and the Greatest Race Ever Run by Matt Fitzgerald (2011)
- I'm Here to Win: A World Champion's Advice for Peak Performance by Chris McCormack (2011)
Humorous Triathlon Accounts
- Can't Swim, Can't Ride, Can't Run: From Common Man to Ironman by Andy Holgate (2011)
- Can't Sleep, Can't Train, Can't Stop: More Misadventures in Triathlon by Andy Holgate (2012) - haven't read yet, but looking forward to it as I loved his first book!
- Trizophrenia: Inside the Minds of a Triathlete by Jef Mallett (2009)
Against the Odds
- The Long Run: A New York City Firefighter's Triumphant Comeback from Crash Victim to Elite Athlete by Matt Long (2010)
- The Grace to Race: The Wisdom and Inspiration of the 80-Year-Old World Champion Triathlete Known as the Iron Nun by Sister Madonna Buder (2010)
Triathlon
- Triathlon for Every Woman by Meredith Atwood (2012) - it's next on my "to read" pile!
Swimming
- Swimming to Antarctica: Tales of a Long-Distance Swimmer by Lynne Cox (2005) - this woman is amazing in terms of mental toughness and humbleness
- Swim Speed Secrets for Swimmers and Triathletes: Master the Freestyle Technique Used by the World's Fastest Swimmers by Sheila Taormina (2012) - first swim book that is not the same old, same old. truly breaks down the stroke and brings in some physics.
Cycling
- The Secret Race: Inside the Hidden World of the Tour de France: Doping, Cover-ups, and Winning at All Costs by Daniel Coyle and Tyler Hamilton (2012 - new release) - a gripping page-turner that explains the evolution of doping and logistics of how it was hidden
Running
- Eat and Run: My Unlikely Journey to Ultramarathon Greatness by Scott Jurek and Steve Friedman (2012)
- My Life on the Run: The Wit, Wisdom, and Insights of a Road Racing Icon by Bart Yasso (2008)
- Running on Empty: An Ultramarathoner's Story of Love, Loss, and a Record-Setting Run Across America by Marshall Ulrich (2011) - Incredible journey as he ran about 70 miles PER day across the US. You can feel his pain as you read through this.
- Ten Million Steps: The Incredible Journey of Paul Reese, Who Ran Across America - A Marathon a Day for 124 Days - at Age 73 by Paul Reese (1994) - out of print book that is so sweet as Paul makes the journey accompanied only by his wife in an RV.
- The Extra Mile: One Woman's Personal Journey to Ultrarunning Greatness by Pam Reed (2007) - honestly discusses balancing family and kids with ultrarunning success
- The Competitive Runner's Handbook: The Bestselling Guide to Running 5Ks through Marathons by Bob Glover (1999) - book is older, but the most comprehensive and useful book to me (much preferred over Noake's Lore of Running which is too tedious)
- The Elements of Effort: Reflections on the Art and Science of Running by John Jerome (1998) - the best philosophical introspective work I have come across on running; a quick read but one I re-read often.
General Fitness/Wellness
- The Feed Zone Cookbook: Fast and Flavorful Food for Athletes by Biju Thomas
- The Great Fitness Experiment: One Year of Trying Everything by Charlotte Hilton Andersen (2011) - funny read as Charlotte and her friends try many of the workout "schemes" and report honestly from a woman's point of view.
- The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook: Your Self-Treatment Guide for Pain Relief by Clair Davies (2004) - very useful for showing where pain may be originating and where to massage/roll to alleviate.
Happy Reading and Happy Trails!
