Accidental Ironman: How Triathlon Ruined My Life

by Martyn Brunt

Having spent 10 years scaling the lower echelons of the sport, the time has come for Martyn Brunt, one of Britain's least successful athletes, to reveal all about how he got involved in all this nonsense in the first place.

Genres: Nonfiction, Fitness

240 pages, Paperback

First published February 6, 2014

Reviews

[Adina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This guy is very funny. I first "met" him while I was skimming through an issue of 220 Triathlon (to which I am subscribed now). From that moment I read almost all of his columns every month. Ok, sometimes I read only his column and let my husband read the rest of the training advice and bike/gadget reviews. He is the triathlon shopping specialist in the family (a hobby of his) and also my trainer so no need for me to bother with any details.

Every time I read anything by Martyn Brunt I laugh out loud. Not many authors/movies succeed that. I have to admit I do not understand all of his jokes, not being English and being 15 years younger. I never heard of many of the probably famous British people he talks about. The jokes that I understand are hilarious though. I like his naughty and self-deprecation jokes.

The book is an autobiography and he talks a lot about triathlons and Ironmans, duh, so it is a book best appreciated by people that have something to do with the sport. The book made me laugh a lot and also made me cry once when he talked about his sister.

I recommend this book if you are into triathlons and like a good laugh.

[James Flack · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read Martyn's column in 220 every month and it's always the first thing I read from it every month. Very funny and so is this book especially if you have done a triathlon yourself as I have many times.
I see my self in this book over and over again and have made many of the same mistakes... looking back at yourself through Martyn makes this a very good read, but is also good entertainment if you have never heard of the sport too.

[Bronwen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I picked up this book hoping to feel inspired to do a triathlon but if anything, it put me off! I found the constant references to people being slow or fat boring and thought most of the jokes fell flat. For me, this sort of attitude to sport is disappointing and exclusionary. There were sections I enjoyed but on the whole, I didn't much enjoy this book and think there are better, more inspiring athlete's stories out there

[Darren Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read by accident as it was in my holiday cottage. Not quite up to Tim Moore's legendary swearing and metaphor but a fun read. Equally inspiring and off-putting for doing an Ironman.

[Martin Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good light hearted fun, just what you would come to expect from the 220 columnist.

[Atlas]

Book Twenty One of 2024: slight juvenile humour, but otherwise good, entertaining and inspiring

[Andy Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having done a few triathlons and ultra runs, I can relate to the experiences that Martyn describes in his unique style of humour which grew on me the further I read.

[ANDREW M · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and it gave an aged athlete inspiration who then went out and twisted his knee on his 3rd run.

[Tom Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first page of this book had me laughing uncontrollably. Not just me, but my wife, my younger son and my brother (when I allowed them to read the book). Mr. Brunt's wit is formidable - if frequently scatological and earthy - and he writes, I imagine, as he speaks. This book is a delight, even if the subject is a little arcane and some detail a little abstruse for the more normal reader, and I look forward to reading more of Mr. Brunt's escapades and brushes with life. Anyone endowed with the ability to produce such witty observations must be treasured.

[Edward Heardman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some laugh out loud moments and others that I can well relate to, as often with Martyn's column in the 220 Triathlon magazine.

However, I did find his overuse of metaphors rather tiresome, as well as the constant understatement of his ability. He's clearly far more able than most of us mere mortals!

[Milan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fair play to him. It is a story similar to many others nevertheless inspiring. He was an overweight middle aged bloke who got into the triathlons. And he did take quite seriously then. It`s a very readable book and he`s got a good sense of humour.

[Woo Pei Xun · Rating 3 out of 5]

Started off really hilarious but got a little draggy towards the end. An inspiring dude nevertheless!