I am so happy that the Hoyt team went out to show the world what they CAN do (versus what they cannot), and so happy they have inspired so many people. Unfortunately, the author's writing style includes so many awkward, cliched phrases and wacky sports metaphors that the story of this epic race is reduced to a confusing tale of two flawed characters. More than a compelling story, Iron War is a fascinating exploration of how Scott and Allen pushed themselves and each other - and what it takes for anyone to break through perceived limits.

However, scientific testing of these techniques has consistently shown that making conscious changes to one’s natural stride actually reduces efficiency. Iron War really is a book that should be on your bookshelf if you have even the slightest interest in the sport of triathlon, but it also is a great read for anyone looking for inspiration in general. Mark Allen's divorce was acceptable because Allen was a peyote smoking mystic, but Allen was a terrible father ergo the divorce because he made his kid ride a bike while he ran?This is the moment when—7 hours, 58 minutes and 2 seconds into what may be the greatest race two men have ever run—one begins to prevail. Out on the bike, again, it was Scott setting the pace, keenly aware that of the two men up the road, Dietrich was a strong rider and not someone he wanted to let get away. I do not understand how the author thought it would be a good idea to simply come up with things like what Mark or Dave thought on this or that moment? The book has added that third dimension, and their darker angels provide me a permission slip to rise and fall, ebb and flow, fail and succeed, just as they did. Iron War ] captures the strength of character of both athletes better than any other publication to date.

The perspective on the two protagonist is really in-depth from their outlook on life to their yearly final workouts and meals in the week leading up to the world championships. Fitzgerald opens [ Iron War ] in the final leg of the race, but before revealing the outcome, he takes readers through the lives of these two amazing endurance athletes, their training, their mind-sets, their rivalry, their mutual respect. Unlike most race stories, this one has a pattern of a few chapters about the athletes followed by a chapter on the science of racing and suffering. Thrilling and inspiring, though at times repetitive, annoying and heavy with mundane trivia and details that take away from the story. Allen says: “For the first time, Dave and I are talking about events in our lives that in many ways almost derailed our races, even before we got to the start line.Reading this book as a newbie to the sport gives great insight to the world of triathlons elite but it's amazing how easy it is to relate to as an amateur. He remained behind him for much of the 112-mile ride, despite Scott putting in several efforts to get away. Little did they know back then how far-reaching—and long-lasting—an impact their duel would have on the sport and so many of its fans and followers that, more than 30 years later, we’re still writing and talking about it. But it was interesting to read about some of the approaches to training and endurance racing that the book describes. The books featured on this site are aimed primarily at readers aged 13 or above and therefore you must be 13 years or over to sign up to our newsletter.

Scott was by far the more experienced athlete at this point in their respective careers and his race strategy differed greatly to Allen’s. If truly spent w muscles giving out, gait becomes counter intuitively MORE regular (think when you get a cramp and have to limp-- you have less degrees of freedom, are forced to run in a particular way to compensate) Anyway, these guys are masters of suffering and after a 2. By completing your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and authorise Audible to charge your designated card or any other card on file. Trying to escape the malaise of the comfortable modern life, Iron Man has drawn hundreds of thousands of participants from around the globe.Mark Allen and Dave Scott are widely regarded as the greatest Ironman champions in the history of triathlon.

I took part in Mark Allen's second-ever triathlon, and by 1981 had completed as many Ironman races as Dave Scott had. Both tactics were extremely effective, and both came with the personality to compliment their strategy. Counseling through the first 10 years of my racing career had not resolved this psychological weakness.

But Iron War is a crackling good story, even if I already know the ending—even though I saw the ending (I was in that vast-but-silent entourage behind Mark and Dave as the clock approached 3 pm). Nothing wrong with his effort or passion, but who listened to a first cut and allowed him to continue?