USA Triathlon Publishes "Train to Tri: Your First Triathlon"

USA Triathlon and Human Kinetics announced the release of Train to Tri: Your First Triathlon by Linda Cleveland and Kris Swarthout, a 246-page book that provides training plans, strategies and preparation advice to would-be triathletes as they approach their first race.

The book is designed so that athletes with varying levels of proficiency in swimming, biking and running can customize training based on their needs, goals and lifestyle. The content covers a comprehensive range of topics, including selecting gear, staying motivated, overcoming challenges, preventing burnout, determining nutritional needs, achieving proper recovery and more.

While Train to Tri is ideal for athletes gearing up for a sprint-distance (750-meter swim, 20-kilometer bike, 5-kilometer run) or standard-distance (1500m swim, 40k bike, 10k run) race, its training plans can be adjusted to fit any distance. Also included are assessments, exercises and schedules, all to ensure that first-timers feel confident and prepared come race day.

Train to Tri is distributed by Human Kinetics, a leading publisher of informational and educational products in the physical activity and health field.

“Training for your first triathlon can be intimidating, but Train to Tri makes the process as straightforward and approachable as possible,” said Tim Yount, Chief Operating Officer at USA Triathlon. “No other resource provides as much information and advice, while at the same time harnessing the excitement of an athlete’s first multisport experience.”

Co-author Cleveland is a USA Triathlon Level II Certified Coach and the Coach Development Senior Manager at USA Triathlon. Cleveland has a bachelor’s degree in exercise fitness management with a minor in health promotion from the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh and a master’s in exercise and wellness from Arizona State University. She has been an adjunct faculty member at Arizona State University; worked in corporate wellness at Motorola in Phoenix; and coached triathletes, cyclists, and runners since 2004.

Cleveland is also the primary author of Complete Triathlon Guide (2012), which features comprehensive advice on every aspect of the sport from the nation’s top triathletes and coaches.

“While  Complete Triathlon Guide takes a deep dive into all aspects of triathlon,  Train to Tri is really geared toward preparing beginners for a memorable first experience in the sport,” Cleveland said. “We want athletes to arrive at their first race feeling prepared, excited and ready for the challenge.”

Co-author Swarthout serves as the Midwest Regional Chairperson for USA Triathlon, is a USA Triathlon Level II Certified Coach and serves as head coach of the Minnesota Junior Elite Team. Between 2010 and 2014, he served as the Official Age Group Coach for Team USA and accompanied age-group athletes to ITU World Championships around the globe. Swarthout is also a co-founder of the Leanda Cave Foundation, which works to empower women through triathlon.

“Writing this book with Linda was truly a passion project,” Swarthout said. “Preparing for your first triathlon can seem like an unending series of questions and mixed messages. Linda and I took the best methodologies combined with the most important learning points and made them understandable. Competing in triathlons is hard – figuring out the right way to train shouldn’t be.”

The book is now available for purchase at HumanKinetics.com, Barnes & Noble, Amazon and most other major book retailers in both paperback and e-book format.

About Human Kinetics: Human Kinetics is committed to providing quality informational and educational products in the physical activity and health fields that meet the needs of their diverse customers. Within the physical activity field, recreational and organized sports are a major focus. Their customers include scholars who study physical activity and health issues; professionals who apply sport, physical activity and health knowledge in delivering useful services; and the public who engage in fitness and sports activities in many forms and who benefit from living healthier lifestyles. Human Kinetics is committed to providing not only information, but also solutions that help their customers practice their professions better and live healthier, more enjoyable lives.

About USA Triathlon: USA Triathlon is proud to serve as the National Governing Body for triathlon, as well as duathlon, aquathlon, aquabike, winter triathlon, off-road triathlon and paratriathlon in the United States. Founded in 1982, USA Triathlon sanctions more than 4,300 races and connects with nearly 500,000 members each year, making it the largest multisport organization in the world. In addition to its work with athletes, coaches, and race directors on the grassroots level, USA Triathlon provides leadership and support to elite athletes competing at international events, including International Triathlon Union (ITU) World Championships, Pan American Games and the Olympic and Paralympic Games. USA Triathlon is a proud member of the ITU and the United States Olympic Committee (USOC).