Not Normal Behaviour - Softcover

Staples, Stuart

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1843751364 ISBN 13: 9781843751366

Publisher: UPSO (Universal Publishing Solutions Online) Ltd, 2005

Synopsis

Not Normal Behaviour – From Novice To Ultra-Distance Triathlete is an entertaining account of the highs and lows of training to compete in the ultimate triathlon challenge – the Ironman; a 2.4 mile swim, a 112 mile bike ride and then a marathon.
The story starts in June 2000 when, disillusioned by the level of challenge and adventure in life, Stuart, with one novice triathlon and a London Marathon finish to his name, decided to set himself a seemingly impossible and insane goal – to race an Ironman.
He knew little about the event, other than the distances. He didn’t know anyone who had done one. He had no idea of the training schedule, nutrition or preparation required and more critically, whether he would succeed. It all seemed so far from where he was. And that simply was the appeal. He felt compelled and so set out to find out whether he had what it would take.
This is not a How to Race an Ironman training book. Instead it is a personal and often funny account of a dreamer who found out how to the hard way.
Not Normal Behaviour relives an extraordinarily rich year of setbacks, adversity and harsh lessons, as Stuart, discovers what it takes to race an Ironman. With little regard for his well being he plunges head long into murky lakes, raging rivers and unforgiving seas; he rides, buys, builds, crashes and occasionally races bikes; he slogs round marathons, busts his balls in winter races and lurches from elation to disaster as he builds to his day of reckoning. He is beset by constant challenges but always figures a way through. Against a backdrop of heavy metal concerts, Hell’s Angels parties, holding down a job, keeping his friends close and his marriage intact, Stuart lives his dream.
Not Normal Behaviour is written from the perspective of an average sportsman, rather than a world class athlete. It will appeal to anyone who keeps fit, goes to the gym, runs, cycles, swims or wonders whether they may have the metal to finish an Ironman. Even if you don’t, it’s a hugely enjoyable adventure.
This is a book for the armchair athlete, written by an armchair athlete, that may just inspire you to question your own level of challenge.

About this title

From the Inside Flap

Bored with his somewhat conventional lifestyle and frustrated at merely reading about the adventures of others, Stuart set himself the challenge of taking part in one of sport s most gruelling events; an Ironman.
With little experience in the world of triathlon, the challenge was huge to swim 2.4 miles, cycle 112 miles and then run a marathon seemed a ridiculous thing to do. But then it beat weekend suburban landscape gardening projects.
Despite countless setbacks, injuries, the weather, his own naivety and downright stupidity, Stuart fought his way to the start line of his first Ironman.
Not Normal Behaviour is the personal and often funny account of his inspirational journey; the highs and lows, the lessons learned, the sheer determination required and the roller-coaster ride he took to become an ultra-distance triathlete. This book is about turning the volume up on life and single-mindedly setting out to achieve the perceived impossible.

Edition details

• Publisher: UPSO (Universal Publishing Solutions Online) Ltd
• Publication date: 2005
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1843751364
• ISBN 13: 9781843751366
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 204