Multidiscipline sports

Can't Swim, Can't Ride, Can't Run

My Triathlon Journey from Common Man to Ironman

by Andy Holgate

Description

A 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride and a 26.2-mile run make up the Ironman triathlon. It’s not for the faint-hearted. What possesses an overweight, thirty-something librarian who can’t swim, doesn’t own a bike and has two dodgy knees to take on the hardest one-day endurance race in the world? Can’t Swim, Can’t Ride, Can’t Run is the story of Andy Holgate’s inspirational, epic and life-changing journey to become an Ironman. Lubricant, alligators, rubber suits, blisters, pirates, extreme weather, Elvis, tragedy, romance, flesh-eating amoebas, crashes, hospital visits and perhaps the most unusual stag weekend in history all play a part in this amusing and moving tale of one normal bloke’s quest to arrive at his wedding intact. Oh yeah, that’s right, Andy is due to get married seven days after the biggest physical challenge of his life. Will he make it down the aisle in one piece?

Can't Swim, Can't Ride, Can't Run

More Information

Rights Information

Worldwide rights, excluding GB and Audio.

Reviews

"Anyone new to tri, considering the leap to ironman or just after a mental boost should check out this autobiographical account of one overweight librarian's first forays into multisport. In an inspirational story Andy recounts how he was enticed to take part in Cockerham's annual triathlon, and bitten by the endurance bug. If you want to roll your eyes and chuckle conspiratorially at another newbie's mistakes and triumphs, tuck in." --220 Triathlon Magazine

"Best for Inspiration! If he can do it... Holgate's ironman journey is an uplifting insight into the power of taking on a challenge. He tells his story with an irreverent sense of humour and packs the book with useful information. If you're thinking of doing an ironman this book is just the thing to convince you that you are up for the challenge." --Triathletes World Magazine

"Loved reading Can't Swim, Can't Ride, Can't Run. He is able to make you laugh as he turns his depressing situation around to a wonderful, fulfilling life. This is not just a story for triathletes, it's a great book for anyone struggling with life and looking for some sunlight." --MissTriathlon.com

"This book shows the reality that triathlon is accessible to anyone. This story would make a great television show as well as being a great book." --The Simon Gowen Triathlon Show

"Andy Holgate's honest and real-life writings set this book above the rest. A heart-warming and inspiring story of one man's personal challenge - try reading this book without wanting to put on a wetsuit. I have Andy to blame for having to get up early and go out training on these cold winter mornings." --The Fitness Blogger

"Andy Holgate is the Bill Bryson of the Triathlon World. Quite simply, I LOVED this book." --TriCrowd.com

"A really fascinating story." --Talk Radio Europe

"An inspiration to us all." --Lancaster Guardian

"An inspirational story." --North West Evening Mail

Author Biography

Andy Holgate completed his first Ironman distance race, The Big Woody, in 2007. His first book, Can't Swim, Can't Ride, Can't Run, was a UK top 10 sports book, and a number one Kindle sports book. It saw Andy nominated for Best New Writer at the 2012 British Sports Book Awards, where he was the only non-journalist/sports star to receive recognition.

Bibliographic Information

  • Publisher Pitch Publishing
  • Publication Date January 2011
  • Orginal LanguageEnglish
  • ISBN/Identifier 9781848187436 / 1848187432
  • Publication Country or regionUnited Kingdom
  • FormatPaperback
  • Primary Price 12.99 GBP
  • Pages224
  • ReadershipGeneral
  • Publish StatusPublished
  • Page size22 (216 x 138) mm
  • IllustrationColour Illustrations

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