Chrissie Wellington
OBE and four-time Ironman Triathlon World Champion
Book Recommendations:
Recommended by Chrissie Wellington
“Although her own time is limited by ALS, Andrea shows that this is no barrier to living a life that is truly without limits. When so many would lose hope, instead Andrea’s fighting spirit burns like an insatiable fire. Her relentless optimism, bravery, positivity and strength is woven into page of Hope Fights Back, and one cannot read her jaw-dropping story without feeling utterly inspired, determined to seize every opportunity and make the moment of every moment we have.” (from Amazon)
by Andrea Lytle Peet, Meredith Atwood·You?
by Andrea Lytle Peet, Meredith Atwood·You?
The incredible story of a young woman living with ALS, who defies all odds by finishing fifty marathons and, in turn, inspires people to “go on, be brave.” Andrea Lytle Peet was thirty-three years old—an urban planner living in D.C., newly married, and a triathlete—when she received the death sentence of an ALS diagnosis (also known as Lou Gehrig's disease). After grappling with the fact that she will likely become paralyzed and die within two to five years, Andrea experienced an unexpected spark that changes her outlook in the most magnificent way. Inspired by Jon Blais, famous for finishing the IRONMAN World Championship while fighting the same disease, Andrea sets an "impossible" goal to become the first person with ALS to complete a marathon in all fifty U.S. states on her recumbent trike—since she is no longer able to run. In her mission, Andrea recaptures the freedom that racing always gave her and inspires others to appreciate what our bodies can do. Her mindset shifts to accepting that although she is dying faster than she might have otherwise, we are all on the same path. Andrea, along with her husband and ALS community, prove that we all have choices in how we spend our precious lives—no matter what challenges we face. Hope Fights Back chronicles what happens when we choose to live instead of waiting to die. It is a "love letter to life" and a beautiful love story between Andrea and her husband, David. Andrea’s words are awe-inspiring for athletes and non-athletes alike. The reader intimately witnesses Andrea’s tenacity, determination and bravery, not only in accomplishing her fifty marathons goal, but in her day-to-day life with ALS. In a world where “hope” sometimes feels quiet and aspirational, Andrea reveals that hope is, instead, a valiant warrior that changes everything when it fights back. In Hope Fights Back, readers will be empowered by Andrea's force as an athlete and a woman fighting the battle of her life. For readers of Until I Say Goodbye, Let Your Mind Run and Between Two Kingdoms, Hope Fights Back is a magnetic and radiant story filled with soul-baring honesty, love and true grit. A documentary about Andrea’s triumphant journey, Go On, Be Brave, will premier at the 2023 Santa Barbara International Film Festival.
Recommended by Chrissie Wellington
“Filled to the brim with advice, tips and inspiration to enable you to achieve your dreams over whatever distance you want your legs to carry you” (from Amazon)
by Claire Maxted, Vassos Alexander, Emelie Forsberg·You?
by Claire Maxted, Vassos Alexander, Emelie Forsberg·You?
From your first 5k up to trail marathon level, this is the ultimate guide to trail running. From complete beginners to seasoned off-road runners, The Ultimate Trail Running Handbook has all the training and nutrition advice, skills, gear and motivation you need to become a fit and confident trail runner. There are training plans that take newcomers from 5k parkrun level all the way to a first trail marathon. And if you're already an experienced runner, you'll find the strength-work, injury prevention moves and training plans to take you to the next level with your best performance ever. To keep you enjoying every step, there are inspiring stories from real trail runners and the best advice from top off-road athletes, coaches and experts. Running myths are busted, excuses not to run are countered and there are great ideas to get friends and family our on the trails too. Keeping you going strong, there are over 30 easy recipes to fuel you both in training and racing. And if you want to explore more, the navigation and route planning information makes it easy for you to create an exciting off-road adventure. Trail running is such a wonderful way to see the world, so the final chapter covers the best races from all over the globe, with essential advice from the pros. This book arms you with the best possible chance of achieving your next trail running challenge, whether it's a fast time on a well-loved local hill, or a destination race to be savored in New Zealand. If you're a trail runner or would like to become one, this book is your new best friend.
Recommended by Chrissie Wellington
“More than any other in history, Julie’s race in 1982 was a display of indomitable strength in the human body and spirit, and changed the face of triathlon and of Ironman forever. Her story captures the profound and positive impact that Ironman and one race can have on someone’s entire life, and will undoubtedly inspire and encourage all who read it.” (from Amazon)
by Julie Moss, Robert Yehling, Armen Keyeyian·You?
by Julie Moss, Robert Yehling, Armen Keyeyian·You?
The courageous and transformative story of triathlon hall-of-fame athlete Julie Moss. In 1982, Julie Moss ran the Ironman triathlon for her college senior research project. Her idea was quirky, even crazy; only a handful of hardcore, highly trained enthusiasts competed in the little-known, 140.6-mile combination of swimming, cycling, and running. Julie brought no experience or appreciable training beyond running two marathons. She did bring a latent willpower that, the world soon found out, wouldn’t be denied. What happened next changed Ironman forever . . . After becoming the unlikely leader during the marathon, the final leg of the Ironman, Julie fell and lost all bodily function fifteen meters (50 feet) from the finish. While on hands and knees, she watched her rival pass her. Thirty seconds later, she crawled across the line—stunning the millions who were watching on television. At age twenty-three, Julie became the instant global icon, and the public face of fitness and endurance sports — which exploded in popularity, partly because of her inspiration. That this young co-ed would represent such a new sport was unlikely. That she would inspire millions to change the courses of their lives in the three decades years since was unthinkable. Yet, it happened. And keeps happening. In April 2017 Julie won her age group in the Ironman North American Championships—racing 25 minutes faster than her 1982 Ironman. How does a 58-year-old woman beat the time of her 23-year-old self? Which begs the question, Could she also beat her 1982 time in the more demanding Kona? That’s the goal, and the world will find out in October 2018. Crawl of Fame is the long-awaited release of her incredible story. Julie describes how she found her greater purpose while lying across the finish line at Ironman 1982 — and how that greater purpose as a woman, athlete, endurance sports symbol and, now, iconic figure has defined her life and inspired others since. Several endurance sports athletes have written memoirs, but none have changed a sport so dramatically as Julie Moss. Now, readers will join the inner and outer journey of one of the world’s most impressive athletes, a woman who has already inspired millions — with millions more to come.