Average to Epic

Average to Epic is an integrated guide for helping men and women transform their lives through endurance sports. Be it riding a bike 100 miles, running a marathon, or completing long-course triathlons, this book provides the resources, practical tips, planning, and motivation for the average person to take on epic athletic challenges. It covers endurance road biking, endurance mountain biking, long-distance running, and triathlons. Many middle-aged people want to drastically improve their fitness and overall wellness. Taking that first step is often difficult. Motivation is hard because of time commitments and lack of information, guidance, and experience in endurance sports. Average to Epic provides motivation by demystifying the world of endurance sports and helping the reader take the first steps in getting into one of these sports and training for an epic event. It guides the aspiring triathlete through the murky waters of their first triathlon as they work toward a half Iron (70.3) or Ironman; takes the non-runner or 5K weekend warrior through the details of good running form on their way to completing their first marathon; and explains the world of cycling to encourage the reader to ride 100 miles on a bike. In doing so, this book helps the reader achieve a broader and more important goal: lifelong fitness.

Don Rose, PhD, is a late-in-life endurance athlete. He has completed a number of epic endurance events across multiple sports. He has completed various half marathons, marathons, and triathlons across distances from sprint to Ironman, and numerous road and mountain bike endurance events. As a scientist, he has taken an analytical and methodical approach to his training and racing. Besides, Don has devoured dozens of books on nutrition, training, and the science of endurance sports and read numerous scientific papers. He has combined his extensive knowledge with his sports experience to develop a practical approach to being a successful mid-life (now late mid-life) endurance athlete. Don chronicles his experiences in his blog MidLifeFitnessCrisis.com.