How does a middle-aged, out-of-shape mother of four reluctantly find herself on the starting line of a triathlon? She lives in the epicenter of the nation's largest all-female triathlon club, and resistance is futile.
In Women Who Tri, Alicia DiFabioexplores the triathlon-mania that has gripped not just the women in her small New Jersey town, but all of America. Her journalistic memoir is both inspirational and informative as it explores the popularity, psychology, subculture, and transformative power of triathlons among "ordinary" women.
Weaving together the insights of a psychologist, the research of a journalist, and the deep insecurities of a daunted newbie, Women Who Tri follows DiFabio's journey from nervous newcomer to triathlon finisher. DiFabio offers moving profiles of a dozen women who tri, sharing their reasons for coming to triathlon, which are as diverse as their ages and body types. But this book is neither training journal nor year-in-the-life immersion memoir. Rather, each chapter explores a fascinating, inspiring, and sometimes controversial topic of triathlon.
Women Who Tri investigates one of the world's most challenging and inspiring sports, focusing on the group most responsible for its explosion into the mainstream-the recreational female triathlete. Filled with research, expert interviews, and real stories, Women Who Tri will entertain, enlighten and inspire any triathlon enthusiast, from tri-addict to tri-curious.
Industry Reviews
"Alicia's courage, strength, and perseverance, along with all the women who tri, will bring tears of joy to your eyes and make you realize that, in overcoming your fears, anyone can achieve the impossible." --Barbara Mockford, author of An Unshakable Belief: Keeping the Ironman Dream"A refreshing perspective! Alicia DiFabio's personal accounts of discovering and falling in love with the community of triathlon are endearing, humorous, and unique. The women highlighted in this book are not only inspiring, but also are amazing examples of how the sport of triathlon emboldens them to confront life's curveballs. Whether you are a seasoned athlete or just a curious bystander, you will feel a sense of sisterhood while swimming, biking, and running alongside the women Mullica Hill Women's Tri Club." -- Debra Hodgett, author of Tri-Mom: Swimming, Biking and Running Through Motherhood "Greatly informative, exceptionally written with professional forethought and personal vulnerability, Women Who Tri is a beautiful tribute to 'those girls in pink' and women everywhere who are happily, imperfectly, honestly tri'ing." --Jennifer "J.J." Cannon, author of @Sophie Takes a #Selfie, contributor to Good Day Philadelphia, and creator of the #DontShowMe cyberbullying campaign"When Alicia DiFabio moved into the epicenter of a Triathastorm, her first instinct was to flee. Instead, she plunged in and now she's even written a book, Women Who Tri. In these pages, the story of her reluctance turned tri-celebration is interwoven with others' inspiring journeys, spiced with choice tidbits of practical advice and delicious morsels of tri-history, all delivered with light humor and some delightful, invented triathaspeak." -- Mina Samuels, author of Run Like a Girl: How Strong Women Make Happy Lives"This is a well-researched memoir by a middle-aged mother of four (including a special-needs child) who reluctantly signs up and finishes her first triathlon despite pre-event dread and tears...DiFabio shares her journey into this athletic sorority, introducing readers to the sport's history and topics ranging from equipment costs to successful fund-raising for charities." -- Booklist, American Library Association"Alicia DiFabio, mother of four, admittedly out of shape (before her first triathlon), explores the history, subculture, and psychological appeal of triathlons in this engaging memoir." -- Foreword
