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To the Finish Line: A World Champion Triathlete's Guide to Your Perfect Race
Chrissie Wellington, the world's number one female Ironman athlete and four-time World Ironman Champion, presents her struggles, wisdom, and experiences gained from her hard-won career as a triathlete.
With close to 2 million core participants, triathlons of various distances and challenges are attracting more participants than ever before. In TO THE FINISH LINE, one of the sports' greatest legends brings triathlon to life, with guidance for newbies or experienced athletes, to achieve their best triathlons-no matter their ability. Filled with training tips, practical advice and inside information from a champion, triathletes of all levels can benefit from Wellington's experience and insight. Her book will guide readers on their own journey, whether that be a sprint or an Ironman, and encourage them to rise to every new challenge.
With close to 2 million core participants, triathlons of various distances and challenges are attracting more participants than ever before. In TO THE FINISH LINE, one of the sports' greatest legends brings triathlon to life, with guidance for newbies or experienced athletes, to achieve their best triathlons-no matter their ability. Filled with training tips, practical advice and inside information from a champion, triathletes of all levels can benefit from Wellington's experience and insight. Her book will guide readers on their own journey, whether that be a sprint or an Ironman, and encourage them to rise to every new challenge.
352 pages, Paperback
Published March 13, 2018
49 people are currently reading
470 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
September 14, 2017
This is a really great resource for anyone interested in sport and fitness, whether a total beginner or the hardened athlete. It's packed full of tips from the author and other sports people, such as coaches, which the reader can benefit from no matter their level of ability. The book is laid out well, with various sections which you can refer to as and when needed, but just as easily read from start to finish. There are plenty of photos of Chrissie in action, which help to break up the text (as well as leaving my very inspired by her athletic physique!) and make it easier to read. On the whole this is a great book with some invaluable tips and advice - recommended to all runners, cyclists, and swimmers!
October 23, 2017
An interesting book showing a few into a world few of us will ever actually experiencing.
Its certainly interesting to get the view point and option of a person that in her mid twenties -according to the book itself- switched to become a professional athlete. Thats very different and in a way very inspiring to see some actually do something that is not at all typical - and succeeding so completely!
I thought the layout of this book was very nicely done, going over different aspects and subjects as well as simply telling Chrissie Wellington's story. I liked that she included a Q&A section at the end of each chapter to go over typical questions regarding what she just talked about and going into a bit more details on it all.
For example in the chapter about deciding what kind of marathon you want to do the Q&A section talks about the difficulty choosing from all those many different types of races happening to finding the right one for you, how to make the choice and what things to consider while making that choice.
What i didn't love that much in especially the Q&A section, keeping with the example of choosing your marathon, is how Wellington kept circling back to how she did it and what she accomplished.
I am not saying that she doesn't deserve to talk about what she accomplished! This woman is basically as near to superwoman as anyone can actually get! I mean come on! She ran SO many races and won basically all of them! Thats just mind blowing!
BUT if you are answering a question that has nothing to do with you OR your life but simply asking a question where a pretty technical answer would do it? I don't need a story about the accomblishment Wellington had at a specific marathon. Tell me WHY she choose to participate in that, how much money it cost her to do it and what prep it took her to get there! That would answer the question!
What i am trying to say here is that while i really do completely admire this woman, she sometimes overshoot a little in her writing of specific moments and went into story telling instead of just sharing facts.
Its not bad itself, but its also not fantastic for this type of book.
STILL
This book is inspirational. if you want to ran a marathon or triathlon or if you are simply curious about people that are crazy enough to do such a thing. This will give you interesting perspectives and new views into a different world.
*Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for providing me with a free e-copy of this book in exchange for a free and honest review!*
Its certainly interesting to get the view point and option of a person that in her mid twenties -according to the book itself- switched to become a professional athlete. Thats very different and in a way very inspiring to see some actually do something that is not at all typical - and succeeding so completely!
I thought the layout of this book was very nicely done, going over different aspects and subjects as well as simply telling Chrissie Wellington's story. I liked that she included a Q&A section at the end of each chapter to go over typical questions regarding what she just talked about and going into a bit more details on it all.
For example in the chapter about deciding what kind of marathon you want to do the Q&A section talks about the difficulty choosing from all those many different types of races happening to finding the right one for you, how to make the choice and what things to consider while making that choice.
What i didn't love that much in especially the Q&A section, keeping with the example of choosing your marathon, is how Wellington kept circling back to how she did it and what she accomplished.
I am not saying that she doesn't deserve to talk about what she accomplished! This woman is basically as near to superwoman as anyone can actually get! I mean come on! She ran SO many races and won basically all of them! Thats just mind blowing!
BUT if you are answering a question that has nothing to do with you OR your life but simply asking a question where a pretty technical answer would do it? I don't need a story about the accomblishment Wellington had at a specific marathon. Tell me WHY she choose to participate in that, how much money it cost her to do it and what prep it took her to get there! That would answer the question!
What i am trying to say here is that while i really do completely admire this woman, she sometimes overshoot a little in her writing of specific moments and went into story telling instead of just sharing facts.
Its not bad itself, but its also not fantastic for this type of book.
STILL
This book is inspirational. if you want to ran a marathon or triathlon or if you are simply curious about people that are crazy enough to do such a thing. This will give you interesting perspectives and new views into a different world.
*Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for providing me with a free e-copy of this book in exchange for a free and honest review!*
September 12, 2020
This definitely seems more geared towards EXPERIENCED triathletes
March 4, 2018
If you want to do Triathlon (and I don't) this book is a must read. 4 time World Ironman Champion Chrissie Wellington shares everything you need to know for a successful triathlon. I read it because I was curious! There's plenty advice for runners here too. Her writing style is breezy and makes this a quick read as well as a reference you can pick up over and over.
August 16, 2025
Excellent experience - I loved the down to earth tone that Chrissie used to help readers of all backgrounds in triathlon feel comfortable gaging the perspective of a four time Ironman World Champion. I gained a ton of useful insight from this thorough guide. The main takeaway I hope to apply is to keep things simple, consistent, and fun.
Would be happy to reread and skim this book anyday.
Would be happy to reread and skim this book anyday.
Want to read
January 8, 2023Remove from my books
September 28, 2023
Very informative, with a bit of fun and inspiration. Will come back to it when triathlon season kicks off again next year. 🤓
September 10, 2024
tbh tri books are all very similar
October 18, 2022
Thanks to this book, I managed to train and complete an IronMan for the first time. It covers all aspects from strength training to race day nutrition. I highly recommend it if you are training for a triathlon event.
October 6, 2017
This book was both typical and atypical for me.
Many of the running books I've read are from UK authors - likely due to a Facebook reading group of which I'm a part. However, I think this is the first book I've read by a (former) professional runner. I've read stories by Meb, Kathrine Switzer and others, of course, but they're usually part of larger compilations. I didn't feel that Wellington's standing as a professional impacted my opinion of this book - it was a solid read no matter the author's credentials.
I enjoyed the layout of this book with tips followed by Q&As applicable to the chapter from Wellington, coaches and others. This mix of memoir and how-to made it a fit for novice runners, experienced runners/triathletes and beyond. I still have no interest in completing a tri, but I certainly have more insight into what makes them appeal to so many. I also liked that the gear tips were helpful whether or not you were using them for a tri.
A very good read.
Many of the running books I've read are from UK authors - likely due to a Facebook reading group of which I'm a part. However, I think this is the first book I've read by a (former) professional runner. I've read stories by Meb, Kathrine Switzer and others, of course, but they're usually part of larger compilations. I didn't feel that Wellington's standing as a professional impacted my opinion of this book - it was a solid read no matter the author's credentials.
I enjoyed the layout of this book with tips followed by Q&As applicable to the chapter from Wellington, coaches and others. This mix of memoir and how-to made it a fit for novice runners, experienced runners/triathletes and beyond. I still have no interest in completing a tri, but I certainly have more insight into what makes them appeal to so many. I also liked that the gear tips were helpful whether or not you were using them for a tri.
A very good read.
March 4, 2018
If you want to do Triathlon (and I don't) this book is a must read. 4 time World Ironman Champion Chrissie Wellington shares everything you need to know for a successful triathlon. I read it because I was curious! There's plenty advice for runners here too. Her writing style is breezy and makes this a quick read as well as a reference you can pick up over and over.
January 10, 2022
I love Chrissie and reading about her rise to greatness was inspiring!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews