Unlike many other sports, and even unlike the three parts that make it up, Triathlon as a sport is very young. As a result, compared to other sports `Legends' are comparatively rare, and biographies about them are even rarer. So when I heard that Chris McCormack was preparing to publish a biography, I pre-ordered on Amazon and waited patiently for it to come; readers in the US and Australia seemed to have earlier access than us here in Europe, their glowing reviews and tweets about it making me anticipate it even more.
When it arrived, the book did not disappoint. It is a frank, no-holds barred and fast-paced guide to competing at the top in triathlon. Loosely structured around a few themes, the book details Maccas early interest in the sport and his decision to abandon a corporate career for an uncertain and unproven future; the people around him, his personal tragedy in losing a best friend and his Mum, the change of direction from ITU to WTC, his dominance of races in Australia, Europe, and the US, right through to his crowning achievement - the 2010 Ironman Championship in Kona, his second win on the course.
For me the most useful part of the book was the emphasis Macca placed on the psychological, strategic part of triathlon. It is easy to think that our sport amounts to endless training, and spending more and more on equipment, being scientific about nutrition, while little value is placed on planning, strategy and competing with your strengths. The reality is that all of these things are important and none can be neglected. Maccas continuing achievements in his late 30's demonstrates how powerful this different mindset can be.
I have read reviews on Amazon,com, and can certainly see that certain criticism of the book is valid (there is some repetition, for example, and there is a loose structure), but overall this is a fascinating read, and something I will definitely return to again. I figure it would make an ideal pre-season read for motivation and focus.
If you have any interest in triathlon, I am sure you will love it also.
One little request to finish - can we have this on Kindle please?