Rating: 
Summary: great read!!
Review: After 13 yrs. racing triathlons I was very happy to see that I still had a lot to learn thanks to Don's book. It is a fun and informative read for sure. Any level athlete will benefit from his great training and organizational advice. I have already found ways to fit more training into my life after reading this book.
Rating:
Summary: The best book on triathlon training for busy athletes
Review: Don was my coach for over a year so I had the first hand experience of his time-saving training strategies. Since starting
to work with Don i was able to dramatically improve my fitness by training less than 8hrs/week while juggling 60hr work weeks and 3hr/day commute. I looked forward every month to the new workout schedules since all workouts were fun and challengingI was very happy to see that Don put all of that energy and excitement of his personal coaching methods in this book. The programs and advice are invaluable for busy triathletes with family, work and other responsibilities. I am sure going to use this book for all my future training and races
Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: Excellent book. Easy to read, and still provides the technical information in an understandable manner. The training programs in the book are detailed, and structured in a way they can be followed while balancing work and family life. Many of the stories in the book are valuable as they provide insight into how others have managed to train, and keep themselves mentally focused. Of all the books on ironman training, this is the one book I would recommend to anyone. There has been one typo though, the training programs are 30 weeks, not 12.
Rating:
Summary: and the lightbulb went on
Review: Get this book first, then read the others.
I went to Don & Mel Fink's Triathlon 101 class and then bought the book. I read it on my next business trip and the lightbulb went on. This book distills the info from the bibles, websites, nutrition guidelines and articles down to what you really need to get serious and infuses it all with first-hand experience and common sense. The few tips that I first incorporated into my training have yielded noticeable results and gave me the confidence to set goals in line with my potential not the limitations of my schedule.
Rating:
Summary: beIRONfit
Review: Great read. Wish it was published before I purchased the other 20 other triathlon books. Motivational, informational and inspiring. Made me start building my 2005 race calendar, to include an Ironman. Thanks Don!
Rating:
Summary: "Be Iron Fit" - full of practical advice
Review: I am in my second season of racing Ironman-distance triathlon, and find that the book is a wealth of practical, usable information which helps me get through the nuts-and-bolts of Ironman training, while remaining employed and still familiar to most of the inhabitants of my house. Don understands the age-grouper lifestyle,(which often includes family, kids, dog, job, etc. etc.) but also the desire among some of us to go wicked fast and qualify for Kona. He provides a framework to be successful at these (sometimes) conflicting goals.
Rating:
Summary: The Journey is Possible
Review: I picked up this book on a Monday and finished on Tuesday. I could not put the book down. Very inspirational! I have read other triathlon books and have competed in several Ironman distance races, and this book explained things more clearly and in a way that jumped started my motivation to take my training to the next level. Other triathlon books are like college textbooks, this one was a great read and very inspirational, I have already recommended the book to my training parterners.
Rating: 
Summary: Ironman in less than a year
Review: I really enjoyed this book, and used it while training for an Ironman. I am 49 years old, hadn't done any excercise since high school, and had bloated up to 250+ pounds. I took off 60lbs with Atkins, and started training for a marathon. Less than a year later I finished the Wisconsin Ironman.
Don has really good advice if you are short on time and not starting in great shape. Very realistic program.
Rating:
Summary: Closest thing to a shortcut
Review: It took me years of injuries, online training plans, and ill-spent money to learn what Mr. Fink has consolidated into 280 pages. If you are an Ironman or aspiring Ironman, this book belongs in your training library.
Most Ironman triathletes spend as much time fretting about their training as they do actual training. If you are serious about Ironman, you will certainly buy many more training books, however, this one is the best I have found that touches on all of the essential elements of a successful Ironman campaign.
The Table of Contents reads like the 17 Commandments of Ironman training:
The Dream, Time Mngmt, Essential Workouts, Training Cycle, Gradual Adaptation, Heart Rate Training, 30-week Training Plans, Flexibility and Strength, Training Races, Technique, Transitions, Equipment, Strategies, Mental Training, Goal Setting, Maintenance, Recovery.
Amen.
Rating:
Summary: Follow Fink to the Finish
Review: The book is a fast and great read, loaded with information for the novice and experienced triathlete. It reads like a college text: Ironman 101, 201 and 301, all in one book, for the beginner, intermediate and advanced athlete. You'll want to take out a highlighter, mark up the pages and take notes. I know I did. Fink's training programs take you step-by-step through the process needed to train properly for an Ironman. It demystifies what's necessary, and unnecessary, for the regimen leading up to, during and after the race. It removes all the guesswork so you can focus on the hard part: the workouts. Even triathletes who do not fancy themselves Ironpeople will gain useful knowledge on how to train for shorter-distance races. And it also provides answers to questions we all have but don't know who to ask. After reading it, you'll be more than motivated to Be Iron Fit and become one of Don's disciples.
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