Rating: 
Summary: The definitive "how to" book for wanna be triathaletes
Review: A well written, though concise manual for people who want to learn how to successfully train for and complete a triathalon.It provides wonderful support to the reader/athlete and is written in such a way that it seems this training is eminently doable. Excellent step-by-step coaching throughout. Great pictures demonstrating exercises and correct body positioning.This book promises to be a "must have" for those willing to take their training to another level. Thank you Eric Harr!!
Rating:
Summary: book changed my life
Review: Based on this book, I did my first Triathlon (LA - September 2003)and finished with no problem. I am now looking forward to my third race in a few weeks and there's no end in sight for me! I bought this book on a lark: My uncle was going to train for a race and he thought this was a good book. I glanced through it, and started to train. I like the fact that Eric has different levels of training -I started on the most basic level and it works! Honestly, I have not had time to read the book cover to cover yet - but I think that's good because I've been too busy racing and training to finish the book! An inspiring book, too. I can really say that, thanks to this book, I have turned into a Tri-fiend!
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Summary: I DID IT!!!
Review: Based on this book, I did my first Triathlon (LA - September 2003)and finished with no problem. I am now looking forward to my third race in a few weeks and there's no end in sight for me! I bought this book on a lark: My uncle was going to train for a race and he thought this was a good book. I glanced through it, and started to train. I like the fact that Eric has different levels of training -I started on the most basic level and it works! Honestly, I have not had time to read the book cover to cover yet - but I think that's good because I've been too busy racing and training to finish the book! An inspiring book, too. I can really say that, thanks to this book, I have turned into a Tri-fiend!
Rating:
Summary: book changed my life
Review: I bought Harr's book and completed my first triathlon (Skylands - Clinton NJ: .5Swim/14.1Bike/5K run), and just want to thank him. This book was extremely inspirational and helped me get thru some of the rough spots during those early AM training sessions. The "one minute promises" & "motivation follows action" were constants mantras going through my head. The author gives a lot of great advice, and I constantly referred to it during training.As a 39 year male starting to tip the scale near 195, I could
barely run a 1.5 mile in early June. Since then, I have lost over 17 pounds and I'm in my best shape ever in the last 15 years. I have also had some great quality time with my kids (5 & 7) who would accompany me on their bike during a couple of runs. (This made for some great & unexpected interval training since my son would take off on his bike trying to catch
bunnies!). I have much more energy, and it seems far easier to handle lifes daily stresses. I beat my stretch goal of under 2:00 hours with my family cheering me on. The people (volunteers & triathletes) at the event were extremely friendly and helpful, and it was a fantastic experience. Needless to say, I'm hooked !!! Now I just have to figure how I can get my time under 1:50
for next year... Thanks!
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Summary: Fitness Motivation & Wisdom
Review: I found Eric Harr's "The Portable Personal Trainer" on one of Amazon.com's Listmania, and browsed through the customer reviews. This was the first book that I've seen to have a five-star rating on every single review it received! Impressed, I ordered the book online and read everything Eric Harr has written on his website...Not only has he achieved amazing athletic feats in his chosen field, the triathlon (he began as an "overweight--I don't really think he was ever unfit though--legal clerk" who signed up for a local triathlon on a whim, and was ranked #6 in the world within the next year), but he also comes across as an intelligent, compassionate thinker who writes amazingly well, without the typical saccharine bravado and/or condescending tone usually employed by other "Fitness Motivational" speakers. Since I am training for a biathlon of running/swimming (16 weeks remaining!), I was thrilled to find that Eric Harr has written a new book for triathletes-in-training. I pre-ordered it on Amazon.com and received it three days ago. My verdict? This is the best of what Eric Harr has to offer, and that is a great deal of fitness know-how from the best athletes in the world, including but not limited to Harr's own considerable knowledge, workout and lifestyle tips & suggestions, and great motivational snippets throughout the book. I certainly encourage you to buy this book and apply its wisdom to your life, not only if you are training for a multi-sport event but if you are struggling with motivating yourself to get out there and move, or if you are not sure if what you are doing is the most efficient way to achieve maximum fitness.
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Summary: So, SO Much More Than a Triathlon Training Guidebook
Review: I have been reading Eric Harr's column in The New York Daily News for many months now. I am a very big fan of his, so I decided to pick up his new book, even though I have no aspirations to finish a triathlon. I knew there would still be lots of information in there for me. That's because he always writes for a wide audience; he makes things apply to us all. That's why I love his writing. I was right. Triathlon Training in Four Hours a Week is indeed a book any person will benefit from. It has something for everyone, even those who do not want to do a triathlon. For example, it lays out 20 common excuses one might give not to do a triathlon ("not enough time," "too overweight," etc) and then Eric Harr provides compelling solutions to those things...in a way that applies to us all. I love this man. Eric Harr has a remarkable ability to make it sound it like he just sitting next to you coaching you through this. His book is motivational yet extremely easy to read as well being personal. He has given us a gift by writing this book. The workouts and the philosophy in the book DO work and not merely because of the dietary guidelines and workout schedules. Eric Harr's philosophy can and will change your life if you take it to heart. The only problem I have is with the title: Triathlon Training. Of course, it's a great book for that, but this book is so much more than a triathlon book! It's an AMAZING GUIDE!! It's packed with important wit and wisdom about health, nutrition, stretch training, aerobic workouts AND living life to the fullest, bonding more with your friends and family, being more confident and having more fun. I do like the back cover saying "The Transforming Power of Triathlon." I am buying copies for everyone I know. If they decide to "take the leap" and do a triathlon, great. If not, they will love this amazing guide to living a happier, healthier, fitter, more enriching life. This is a stellar book and I would highly recommend it to anyone.
Rating: 
Summary: Great 1st Tri manual
Review: I just finished my first triathlon this month, used this book to get me started and keep me motivated. It has different training levels for different people, great workouts and stretches, even advice for what to eat while training. There's also a bunch of inspirational stories and reminders which are very helpful for novices. Great raceday tips and checklists too! Like some of the other readers, I used this book to get me started and now i'm searching for more triathlons!
Rating:
Summary: I loved this book!
Review: I liked this book very much. I have run a lot of 5k's and thought the triathlon would be a logical next step. I saw an ad for Eric Harr's book in Runner's World -- and thought "Why not? I live once!" I have really enjoyed reading this book. Eric Harr seems like a pretty deep guy and gives you a lot more to think about and do -- than simply training for a triathlon. He talks about things like racing on behalf of a charity to inspire yourself more. I love his nutrition chapter and meal plans and the strength-training chapter is very thorough and easy to follow. It's a touching book, too and focuses on the emotional aspect of this whole process. Great book. I would give it five stars, but he's got SOOO many fans who all worship him and give him five stars (you should see the reviews for his other book!) that I had to give him four, to keep his ego from exploding! But, between you and me, it's a 5-star book! ;)
Rating:
Summary: Great Book
Review: I liked this book very much. I have run a lot of 5k's and thought the triathlon would be a logical next step. I saw an ad for Eric Harr's book in Runner's World -- and thought "Why not? I live once!" I have really enjoyed reading this book. Eric Harr seems like a pretty deep guy and gives you a lot more to think about and do -- than simply training for a triathlon. He talks about things like racing on behalf of a charity to inspire yourself more. I love his nutrition chapter and meal plans and the strength-training chapter is very thorough and easy to follow. It's a touching book, too and focuses on the emotional aspect of this whole process. Great book. I would give it five stars, but he's got SOOO many fans who all worship him and give him five stars (you should see the reviews for his other book!) that I had to give him four, to keep his ego from exploding! But, between you and me, it's a 5-star book! ;)
Rating:
Summary: An indespensible guide!
Review: I picked up this book after reading Eric's articles in Shape magazine. I just finished my first triathlon, thanks to this book! I would have never crossed that finish line without it. I can't wait for my next race!
I wish I could give this book 5 stars, but it is just short of perfect. I'll highlight my problems with it, just to warn other potential readers. These are suggestions I would hope the author keep in mind if he chooses to write a new edition.
First, the basis of the training breaks you into 1 of 4 categories. This is great! This allows you to graduate into higher levels of training in the future. The problem is the way you are directed to your training level. There is a 10 question quiz that will identify your training level. With all due respect to Mr. Harr, he either needs to toss out this test, or he needs to work with a psychologist to tune it to something a little more meaningful. Despite his best effort, this test does nothing but measure your motivations. I came into this working out 6 days a week for the past 18 months. While I had never done a triathlon before, I considered myself to be in excellent shape. I took the test and scored a level I, which is what he refers to as a Slice above Couch Potato. Luckily, I looked at what was involved in the training plan and realized I am more closely in tune right in between a level II or level III. Even more dangerously, I gave this quiz to a friend of mine who was terribly out of shape. She scored a Level III. If she had attempted to work out at the intensity outlined for a Level III, it would have derailed her quickly. That's too much for someone who isn't in shape! If you are racing in a triathlon for enjoyment rather than competition, this by no means makes you out of shape. As far as Eric and the quiz are concerned, however, it does. I'd strongly recommend anyone reading this to consider this for themselves. Basically, you should know what level of shape you are in. If you don't, read the descriptions of a level and the exercise routine. Last thing you want to do is put yourself in a situation where you commit 2 months to training for the triathlon and end up under or over training because of a score on a flawed quiz.
The second thing that got to me with this book was the product recommendations. It was great to see the whole chapter devoted to what I need and what to look for. But some of the "can't go wrong with Speedo" was frustrating. Rather than tell you what it is that he likes with certain items, he just directs you to a brand name with little to no explanation. In some cases, Eric really outlined why he was recommending the brand (Giant bicycles, for instance). It would be nice to see this outlined for all products on the list.
Sorry if this sounds nit picky, because this book is AWESOME! There are just a lot of things in the book that could mislead someone with limited knowledge. The book is so close to perfect - just be prepared to identify your own fitness level and ignore some of the blatant advertising, and you will be well on your way to being a triathlete!
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