"Knowledge is power." -Francis Bacon

So, for my HIM last year I posted a picture of the books I was utilizing to train. I have procured additional books and am working my way through them.

My reading selection.

I will not say I have made it through all of them. I have ready the "Triathlete's Training Bible" - which I would highly recommend for anyone looking to start training triathlons. It has a ton of info on numerous topics. It is a good "catch all" book for people training for a triathlon. 

"Going Long" - is also a great book. Both TTB and GL were written by Joe Friel, so they have similar info. GL specifically covers training for an Ironman.

I am currently working my way through Total Immersion Swimming. At my Half-Ironman I placed rather high in the swim. Which was unexpected seeing as I have never really had formal swimming lessons. That being said, it is amazing how many things I have already incorporated from this book that have improved my stroke efficiency. Three big things from the book that I had never thought of, but make great sense from a physics standpoint:

1. Push your chest down, it eliminates hip drag.
2. Swim on your side, not your stomach. Why do fast boats have a wedge shaped hull and barges have a flat one? V-shaped plans cuts through the water and eliminate drag. 
3. Swim tall, the longer you swim the faster you are. Check out the "Froude Number" for an explanation using scientifically founded science.  

"Breakthrough Swimming" is also a great book. It is more of a "catch all" for first time swimmers, but still plenty of useful info. 

I have been a runner since high school and have subscribed to "Runner's World" and "Running Times." As a result, I am less worried about the running aspect. But, I do have a "Complete Book of Running" to answer any questions I have. The last two books are "Training Plans for Multisport Athletes" - which break downs how to create training plans for various length tris (and has sample plans). "You are an Ironman" is a biography that was written about several people training for the Phoenix Ironman. It is a good practical read for what to expect. 

Anyway, I better get to reading. 

Bill