Flying Over the Finish Line: Women Triathletes’ Stories of Life

by: Susan L. Kane

Published by: Pennywyse Press

Reviewed by Jan Warren

This is not a “how-to” book. It is more of a “chicken-soup-for-the-triathlon” book. The collection of 50 stories are written by women who have all completed a Danskin Women’s Triathlon Series, which brings me to my biggest peeve about the book. Flying Over the Finish Line reads as one long and repetitious advertisement for that event.

That said, most of stories were heart-felt raves of what the accomplishment of finishing a Danskin Women’s Triathlon meant to them, and thus may encourage some female readers interested in a similar challenge to make the commitment needed to train for a triathlon.

The author suggests that if you are looking for a goal and exercise alone isn’t getting it done, then you might consider a “sprint” triathlon, (aka, Danskin Women’s Triathlon Series), which consists of ½-mile swim, 12-mile bike ride, followed by a 5 k (3.1-mile) run.

According to the stories within the book, none of the following obstacles should keep you from fulfilling your goal of competing in that particular triathlon, such as your size (women up to 400 lbs. have competed), your age (several over the age of seventy compete) or your health (cancer survivors have their own category in the race referred to as, Team Survivor).

I believe anything that inspires women to move and improve their health by achieving life-changing goals is a good thing, so I give Flying Over the Finish Line 3 stars.

Armchair Interviews says: Heed this reviewer’s comments about repeated event promotion within content.

Author’s Web site: http://www.CourageToTri.com