Breakthrough Triathlon Training - book review

I just finished reading "Breakthrough Triathlon Training" by Brad Kearns. My initial impression was that the book discussed a lot more about the lifestyle of triathlon training than it does about the x's and o's of a training schedule. I guess one way to explain it is that this book is the yang to the ying that is created by the Triathlete's Training Bible.

To be honest, I was a little dissappointed at first, because I was anticipating a lot more guidelines and rules for training. But as I continued to read, I found myself asking one of the most important (relavant) questions that relates to my training. Why do I train for and compete in triathlons in the first place? I have discussed the answer here a couple times in the past week, but I am continuing to solve that riddle as I focus on my training ideas and methods.

There are some practical guidelines about developing a base, using a heart-rate monitor and swimming focuses, but the take-home message for an athlete's schedule is to focus on a few key sessions a week or month. Then do whatever it takes to complete those sessions the best you can. After those sessions, rest, use recovery or aerobic workouts and prepare for your next key session. (note: a key session was defined as "workouts that are difficult enought to stimulate a fitness improvement." - page 123. They can be any type of session, it just depends on who and when it is done.)

In many ways, Kearn's message is what I tried to portray in my article "Focused Training Plan" but he spends more time discussing the implications of motivation and intuition in training. Simplicity is sometimes a golden philosophy.

I will say that in terms of promoting the "Health. Fitness. Performance" philosophy Kearns gets an A+. The book doesn't make my must read list, but it will remain on my bookshelf.