VeloPress Fast-track triathlete: balancing a big life with big performance in long-course triathlon

This is a brilliant book and here's why. It has a unique, fundamental premise that the whole book is built around - work out how many hours you can *realistically* spend training in a given time period and build your entire training plan around that. There's no suggestion that you have to spend 15 hours a week training unless you genuinely have 15 hours to spare. If you have only 5 hours spare a week then so be it. Your performance may not be all that it could be but, and here is the crucial element, you can still make it as good as it can be for the given set of circumstances you find yourself under and that is what you should be aiming for.There is also an additional premise in the suggestion that perceived effort is more useful that absolute power numbers and zones. As a numbers man who loves poring over the data from workouts comparing power, timings etc I initially viewed this as an almost heretical thing to say yet it does make a lot of sense. Ultimately though, the author does accept that it really is horses for courses, if that premise is not for you then so be it.As an amateur triathlete with a full time job and children I've find it difficult to put together a decent training plan or apply an existing one, I find it difficult to work out how to fit it all in. This book makes it so much simpler. There is also the recognition that you may find that you're unable to do the full session you planned due to time constraints, illness or fatigue. If so, you can tweak it so as to make it shorter or less intense but still get good value out of it.In addition, and this is the icing on the cake, you get training plans for half and full distance triathlons. I almost feel that this book was written with specifically me in mind, it just ticks all the boxes and gives me the confidence that I'm going to be able to perform to the best of my ability with the time I have available. Plus, it is written in an accessible, easy to follow way that makes it easy to dip into

Differently, from many books about Triathlon, this one is centered around how to make it work with a busy lifestyle. This approach is obviously great for most "age-groupers" or really anyone trying to improve in Triathlon who isn't a professional athlete.Like other reviewers mentioned, it includes only one training plan. However, it's one that is scalable depending on how busy you are since it distinguishes between "key" sessions (the important ones) and the "supporting" ones (the nice to have). Also, it includes strength exercises which can be performed anywhere (also at home) and lots of useful tips.The only negative point I'd mention is that sometimes it can be wordy when the same concept could have been explained in a more succinct way.

Book content looks good but arrived with major water damaged. Amazon were grate and USP fast return. I reordered and another arrived with similar water damage so had to return again! I have not ordered a third !

Glossy, nice size and weight, looks like an excellent quality book. Very happy.

Great book well written and explained. Sensible advice and guidance