Slow Fat Triathlete Live Your Athletic Dreams in the Body You Have Now

by Williams, Jayne

• ISBN13: 9781569244678
• ISBN10: 1569244677
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2004-04-08
• Publisher: Da Capo Lifelong Books

Summary

The idea of participating in a triathlon may sound out of the realm of possibility for those without a typical jock-athlete's honed build, intense focus, and competitive mindset. But now Slow Fat Triathlete opens the door to those who may not come quite so equipped. After years of obesity, poor health, and self-doubt, Jayne Williams took part in her first triathlon in 2002 to prove something to herself and became hooked on the rush of the race. Today she is a self-proclaimed "slow fat triathlete," unafraid to overcome humiliation, laugh at her foibles, have fun, and accomplish impressive goals. Slow Fat Triathlete is a book for those who may be overweight, out of shape, undisciplined, or otherwise unprepared to enter a triathlon but are curious to try. Through personal stories, practical ideas and suggestions, and uproarious anecdotes, this book inspires, encourages, and proves that with a little training, almost everybody can have a great time and reap huge rewards from pursuing their tri dreamsand that everyone can become a participant and an athlete.

Author Biography

Jayne Williams grew up in the halcyon suburbs of Northern California, began her impractical education in Russian literature at Harvard, and got an equally impractical MA in Slavic Literature from U.C. Berkeley. She has organized white-water rafting expeditions in Siberia and around the world and enjoyed years of frantic poverty as a freelance writer, interpreter, and editor. She has dabbled in public service and the Internet boom/bust, and lives in Mountain View, California, with her husband Tim and their psycho-cat surrogate child

Table of Contents

Introduction	ix
Don't be Afraid of the F-Word
Life in the Slow Fat Lane	1	(15)
How did I get Here?
Your Road to Slow Fat Triathletehood	16	(16)
(Or Fast Skinny Triathletehood, if You Insist)
It's Really Not About the Bike	32	(26)
Observations on Equipment--Essential, Inessential, and Fun
Training Daze	58	(27)
Preparing Yourself to Actually do This
Losing Your Tri Virginity	85	(21)
How to Have Fun Your Very First Time
Going the Extra Mile or 124.5	106	(18)
Options for Continuing Your Athletic Endeavors
For People Who Love Triathletes	124	(18)
How to be a Tri Supporter
When Bad Things Happen to Slow Fat Triathletes	142	(10)
Injury, Illness, or Loss of Sense of Humor
Actually, You Can't Eat Whatever You Want	152	(9)
The Sad Truth About Triathlon Training
In Which I Tell You What I've Told You	161	(10)
Move. Get Fit. Have Fun
RESOURCES
A Highly Unsystematic List of Stuff that Might be Helpful	164	(7)
Acknowledgments	171	(2)
Index	173	(7)
About the Author	180