Triathlon Training: Recommended Reading – Book Review by Tri Coach Richard Laidlow

We have just read the new book “Run” by Matt Fitzgerald (a regular writer on both Triathlon and Run related subjects). It is a very well written and informative book, which offers a refreshing “mind body” perspective on running.

Based on recent neurological research he advocates that runners should learn to listen to themselves and run more on feel than by anything else. He suggests that in doing so you will inevitably increase your enjoyment of running and therefore run more, with less injuries. This almost by default will make you go quicker.

This is a book which focuses on experienced athletes rather than those new to the sport, but whoever you are and whatever level you are currently at, it is a book that makes for interesting and thought provoking reading for both triathletes and runners alike.

In recent years he feels that too many triathletes and runners have become obsessed with data and fancy gadgetry and as a consequence have begun to ignore their own natural senses. These senses might very well be telling them that they should stop, slow down, or push their heart rate higher, and by ignoring these inner feelings, and simply relying on data, athletes may very well find themselves over trained, under trained or even injured.

It is not a new concept that the body is capable physically of continuing well after our brain tells us otherwise, and the more experienced the athlete the easier it is for them to tap into these top end reserves. Throughout the book Fitzgerald helpfully offers many examples from top level triathletes and runners of instances whereby listening to their bodies, athletes have been able to tap into their true capabilities, and achieve better results.

All in all a useful Triathlon Training read, for anyone seriously wanting to improve their run times, and if you would like to read a bit more of the book before buying it the foreword by Dathan Ritzenhein, table of contents, and first chapter are available for free download at VeloPress.com!

ADDITIONAL NOTES: As a Triathlete looking for ways to improve your run performance you may also find other books by Matt Fitzgerald of similar interest (he is a fairly prolific health and fitness journalist and author of many other books on running fitness, nutrition, and weight loss), including Brain Training for Runners, and The Runner’s Diary. But the other book that we have found of particular interest is:

Racing Weight: How to Get Lean for Peak Performance.

Briefly in this book he helps shed some light on the mysteries of weight and its relationship to performance and offers scientific and sound advice to help you discover your optimum race weight.

He also provides an easy to follow 5-step plan, tools to help you manage and improve your diet, and manage your appetite, and advice on when, how and why to take important nutrients.

A good book to “digest” (excuse the pun) if you always seem to struggle to get to your ideal race weight.

Author Bio: Richard will help you to become stronger, fitter, faster and healthier. He continues to unravel the latest technologies and innovations in triathlon and other endurance sports, so providing you with the most experienced and professional coaching available. So if you would like to see your Triathlon Run times improve, find out more about our Triathlon Coaching Services by visiting us at: www.sancture-sportifs.com

Category: Sports
Keywords: Triathlon Running, Triathlon Training, Run for Triathlon, Triathlon Coach

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