Best triathlon books according to redditors

To make myself commit to swimming, I signed up for an olympic distance tri a few years ago. I started swimming about 10 months out beginning with the 0 to 700 and 0 to 1 Mile programs. During this time I also did some spin classes to get bike ready (this far out from my race it was still winter) Right about the time I finished up with 0 to 1 Mile it had turned to spring and I started full on tri-training.

I used the olympic distance program from Triathlon Training for Dummies and supplemented the swimming workouts with the drills I found at beginnertriathlete.com because my swimming needed the extra love.

Half way through my olympic training I signed up for a sprint distance just to get a feel a for the race. I wrote a race report here, so I'll spare the details on it, other than to say I'm glad I got in that experience before my 'real' race.

My goal for my olympic was 3 hours or less and I was pretty confident I'd get it. So, of course I ended up with 3:07:18. I've got a laundry list of reasons why I missed my goal, but it is what it is. My flair in /r/triathlon is that time so I don't forget my shame and to motivate me to get back out there to beat it.

I don't really have any sage tips on training. Just stating the obvious that it takes a serious time commitment to train effectively for this sport. Training three disciplines concurrently can wreck havoc on your schedule, especially when you're looking at 3 hour bike rides or brick workouts. I also tried keeping weight training in there as well, but I ended up have to drop that just to keep fatigue manageable.

Honestly the only thing keeping me from more triathlons is the training schedule. I enjoy the training and the races were really fun, but the training load has a way of getting in the way of other stuff and vice versa. I definitely plan on getting back into eventually, at least at the sprint distance.

Joel friels training bible is great. Everything you need to know about training for triathlon. Highly recommend.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1937715442/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_NtPFzbA19D93S

I used Joe Friel's Going Long: Training for Triathlon's Ultimate Challenge and Joe Friel's The Triathlete's training Bible Very in-depth books on how to set up a training plan and schedule your time.

https://www.amazon.com/Swim-Workouts-Triathletes-Practical-Endurance/dp/1934030759/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1523529405&sr=8-1&keywords=swim+for+triathlete


I really liked this book before I joined a Masters program. Good structure and nice planning.

The acceptable house rules may vary from place to place. If you are alone in a lane, enjoy it! But mostly like you may need to share. In some places sharing means each stay to half of the lane, only 2 people per lane. In other places, sharing means going in a circle around the lane, that way 3+ can share. In the later case, hopefully people are near your pace, but more diligence is needed to know when to pull over and let faster people by. (Stop at the walls, not the middle.) Can also ask the lifeguard on duty what the lap rules/practices are.

You can also do a workout with sets in a lap pool. I know it was something that I was concerned about when I got back into swimming a few years ago. I used a book that provided some structure for independent training, Swim Workouts for Triathletes. I found it pushed me to do better distance, but not too much on speed.

My other suggestion for you, join a masters program. They provide the structure you've had in the past. Your speed/pace doesn't matter, there are people of all levels. My masters team has people that do training sets of 100 Free anywhere from 2:30 to 1:00. This has helped me get faster and swim better distances. For reference, when I joined last year, my 100 yard training pace was 1:45, now sitting around 1:30. I also tried out open water swimming and absolutely love it. I swam a 1 mile and 2 mile "race" last summer. Super fun! The other fun part of a masters team, it is pretty social. I've met some awesome folks of all ages since joining.

this book made a huge difference for me
http://www.amazon.com/Triathlon-Swimming-Made-Easy-Open-Water/dp/1931009074

This book

Though designed for triathletes, it actually has a wide variety of workouts. I found it great at offering a structure and variety. I did about every workout in the book before I joined a masters team.

Best part about the book, it can get wet! So can bring it poolside.

I don't specifically train for a race but rather structure my training in terms of on season and off season. I will usually try and take 4 weeks off at the end of the season also to "transition".

If you are looking to do one race then working backwards from that event you can use / adapt one of the many training plans out there. Which is what you have already done and thats probably fine for that approach.

If you are wanting to take things to the next level id recommend researching "periodization of training" or get a coach.

This will get you started...
https://www.trainingpeaks.com/blog/reverse-vs-traditional-periodization-for-triathlon-training/

https://www.amazon.com/Triathletes-Training-Bible-Worlds-Comprehensive-ebook/dp/B01MY7VCIJ/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1512000838&sr=1-1&keywords=The+Triathlete%27s+Training+Bible

This is free: https://smile.amazon.com/Triathlon-Beginners-triathlon-training-triathlete-ebook/dp/B00Y8CT8P4/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1483109227&sr=8-5&keywords=triathlon

It's not great, basic, but for $0, it's pretty decent. Thumb through that alongside Friel's and see if your questions get answered.

Decided to do my first marathon this year. Started by running this weekend, researching bikes and ordering The Complete Triathlon Book. Also subscribed and am avidly reading /r/triathlon.

I'm a former distance swimmer and decent runner -- although I've never competed in a running event. Biking is probably going to be a challenge. Well, that and getting into a bit better shape.

Set my first goal of simply completing the triathlon.

If your goal is strength in addition to triathlon performance: Have you looked at Complete Human Performance at all? I listen to their podcast and am trying to get up the will to spend money on Alex Viada's the Hybrid Athlete. I'm a competitive powerlifter and triathlete both (although I pretty much stick to Olympic distance). I personally basically just run pure powerlifting programs, which is probably not ideal, but it is what I do.

If your goal is strength to improve triathlon: This is supposed to be an awesome resource - https://www.amazon.com/Strength-Training-Triathletes-Triathlon-Endurance/dp/1937715310/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1483224320&sr=8-1&keywords=strength+training+for+triathletes

Hi /u/murphalicious55, I'm not sure if I am in any position to give advice, since I've been swimming for a small period of time.

These are the things that I did:

1.- Swim more. I go to the pool 4 times a week, and I average around 2500yd per session.

2.- No lollygagging in the pool. I use to swim with a team of Triathletes, but I found that I tend to socialize more when other people are around, and I would take very long breaks at the wall. When I'm alone, I just keep on doing my own thing.

3.- I bought a book. I bought this book and it's companion workout book. Really good information.

4.- I have a friend that has been a swimmer since he was a kid, he is a very competitive Age Grouper in Ironman 70.3 races, he's usually 1st or 2nd out of the water. About 2 times a month he comes to the pool with me and shows me some drills, and also takes a look at my stroke and tries to correct it.

I'm planning a 3 month swimming block that will begin in October, and I will concentrate on the swim and see if I can reach my goal of swimming 25min for the 1500m swim in an Olympic Tri. That's a 1:31/100yd pace (1:40/100m).

I’ve just started pool swimming with my Fenix 3. It holds up fine.

This is a good read if you’re interested in getting into triathlons:
Your First Triathlon

Time to hit the pool! Google TI or "Total immersion" swimming, get goggles and cap, and check out "Swim workouts in a binder" http://www.amazon.com/Swim-Workouts-Triathletes-Practical-Endurance/dp/1934030759/

Swimming can be great cardio, it's low impact and doesn't put weight on your joints.

After you get your doctor's permission, of course.

Look into a masters program/team. They take people of all levels, so don't be fooled by the masters name.

If you don't want to join a masters team or there isn't a swim team nearby, look into books or online workouts that cater to multiple weeks and variation. Before I joined a masters team, I was using Swim Workouts for Triathletes. I know you mentioned, you won't or can't do triathlons, but this book provides nice structured swim workouts.

Going Long by Joe Friel is a really good resource. I constructed my own plan using it, Start to Finish, Be Iron Fit and kind of structuring it off of half ironman training that I did with team in training that really worked well to prepare me for Wildflower. I highly recommend reading all of Going Long and Be Iron Fit. It might take you some time, but it's nothing compared to the commitment of training for an ironman.

From what Ive noticed, running doesnt really carry over into biking... however, what I did notice is that when I crossed over from strictly running into tri and the cross-training involved, my running improved a ton. Check out http://www.amazon.com/Training-Plans-Multisport-Athletes-Essential/dp/1931382921/ref=dp_ob_title_bk. It has a 6 week plan in it for olympics. I didnt do it but I am currently on the 26 week IM plan and I think its working pretty good. It has a plan for just about any situation your in.

edit: and good luck!

Pretty good book with training plans for various distances. Explains the plans and gives decent concepts. I used it for my first IronMan. https://www.amazon.com/Training-Plans-Multisport-Athletes-Essential/dp/1931382921/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1521497168&sr=8-7&keywords=triathlon+plans

Welcome to the sport! I've bought countless training books over the past few years, and the best one that I've found is: http://www.amazon.com/Training-Plans-Multisport-Athletes-Essential/dp/1931382921/ref=cm_lmf_tit_8

It has multiple plans for every distance race, detailed unique workouts and a good weight lifting/conditioning plan. They also sell the book at most Barnes & Noble stores.

Which version are you referring to? His classic:

https://www.amazon.com/Be-Iron-Fit-2nd-Time-Efficient/dp/1599218577/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

Or, the HIM focused version:

https://www.amazon.com/IronFit-Secrets-Iron-Distance-Triathlon-Success/dp/0762792930/ref=la_B001K8ACJU_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1506458625&sr=1-2

I only ask because of the price difference...

If you want a reference for this, Friel does pretty good work:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BUWY74M/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1

I haven't read it but this book might be a good reference: https://www.amazon.com/Fast-Track-Triathlete-Balancing-Performance-Long-Course/dp/1937715744/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8 I heard the author give a couple interviews recently (including one for our local tri club) and thought he had some excellent things to say.

Just like any other sport / exercise there must be phases (eg: warm up, workout, cooldown), a purpose (speed / endurance / form) and hopefully progression.

One of the best books I've found for this is Workouts In a Binder. Admittedly it is more for triathletes than general swimming but it has a very logical progression overall with some great individual workouts detailed inside.

Alright. Quickly checking the results page for the 2016 USAT National Championships yields a 20:21 swim, 59:09 bike and 36:31 run(01:58:26 overall) for the male 20 - 24 age group winner. So you have to almost run your 5k pace for a 10k. Coming from a running background this should be the easiest step for you.

Without numbers for a 40k ITT and a 1.5k swim I can't judge your current swimming/biking fitness but you now have some numbers for orientation. So basically, same question as /u/propell0r: Have you finished an olympic triathlon yet and have some numbers for us?

Also, think about regeneration. You should dial in at least one rest week every 4 weeks and maybe even one rest day every week. Personally, I prefer doing 2 or 3 days with two trainings a day and have one full day of rest, but thats something you have to figure out yourself.

That all being said, you might want to think about getting a coach if you want to be competitive. Just because these people usually can structure your training to maximize your benefits. If you don't want to or can't do that:

• What does your macro planning look like? Your periodization?
  
• What are your biggest restricters in each of the disciplines?
  
  I might suggest that you take a look at Joe Friel's Triathlon Training Bible propably the most comprehensive ressource on triathlon training.
  
  

Another good option: Swim Workouts for Triathletes: Practical Workouts to Build Speed, Strength, and Endurance (Workouts in a Binder) https://www.amazon.com/dp/1934030759/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_ZNy6xbPRZRBBQ

I really liked The Well Built Triathlete from Matt Dixon of Purplepatch Fitness. A bit of a "non traditional" training methods as not 3 weeks of training one week "recovery." Dixon has a more flexible outlook on training. Worth the read!

Here's my book. I just started training for a triathlon so this would be amazing!

I like http://www.amazon.com/Going-Long-Triathlons-Challenge-Multisport/dp/1934030066/ref=cm_lmf_tit_2 and then i have a sport nutrition book i forgot the title off. It's very scientific, most people fall asleep reading past page one and it has quite a few pages. I link it once i get home. The rest is online and experience. I use myself as guinea pig so i get a lot from that too.

A good book will put you on the right path and provide the background info you need to feel confident walking into the gym for the first time.

The ubiquitous Starting Strength is always worth a look, but as a swimmer you may also be interested in Strength Training for Triathletes. I'm in the process of reading this one, it's a decent book with specific exercises you can do to improve your swim time and endurance.

http://www.amazon.com/Strength-Training-Triathletes-Patrick-Hagerman/dp/1934030155/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1419880303&sr=1-2&keywords=strength+training+for+triathletes

This Book gives some structured workouts

Grab your self a book..

http://www.amazon.com/Swim-Workouts-Triathletes-Practical-Endurance/dp/1934030759/186-7165363-8813231?ie=UTF8&*Version*=1&*entries*=0

( This particular one is all free-style.. but you should get the point )

I just finished Ironman Texas a couple weeks ago with about 5 months of training so I was in about the same situation you are in. I just happen to come from a cycling background instead of a swimming one.

It seems like you like to read and learn, so my first bit of advice is to pick up a: The Triathletes Training Bible by Joel Friel. Some people will disagree with parts of it, but the information in there is good. Hell, if you can't afford the book, I will buy you a copy.

Next thing to do is to ignore a lot of the workouts in the thread. What you need right now, and for the next 5 months, are not workouts, but a plan to help you survive. And just to be clear, survival is nothing something to be ashamed of. Read the book, set your race date, and start stepping back and create your periodization plan. After that, then think about what kind of workouts fit into those days. This is a long term deal.

Finally, please learn about your strengths and weaknesses. What your background gains you and what it lacks. For example, as somebody coming from a cycling background, I had poor upper body mobility which bleeds into my running and swimming efficiency, thus I substitute one of my strength days for a mobility day. I also have to be careful about accumulating damage from running, so I do more short runs with a single long run every week.

Check out /r/triathlon for more info, and I'd be more then happy to answer any more questions about crash course IM racing.

Edit: Just noticed that you are from the SD area! That makes it a bit easier because the Tri Club of SD is a good resource. Hook up with your local tri group and get some help. You will be amazed at the number of helpful people =D