Women Who Tri
A Reluctant Athlete's Journey Into the Heart of America's Newest Obsession
A Reluctant Athlete's Journey Into the Heart of America's Newest Obsession
What would you do if half your town caught triathlon mania? If you're like Alicia DiFabio--a minivan-driving, harried mother of four small children whose daily look features stained yoga pants, a messy ponytail, and a big diaper bag--you would shrug your shoulders and try to hold on for that after-bedtime glass of wine. It was to her utter surprise that this middle-aged, out-of-shape mother found herself on the starting line of a triathlon. In Women Who Tri, DiFabio explores the triathlon phenomenon that has gripped her town and swept the nation. Her memoir is both inspiring and informative as it explores the popularity, psychology, subculture, and transformative power of triathlons among "ordinary" women. Set in a small New Jersey town that now hosts America's largest women-only triathlon club, Women Who Tri weaves together the insights of a psychologist, the research of a journalist, and the deep insecurities of a daunted newbie. DiFabio shares her journey from nervous newcomer to triathlon finisher as she investigates one of the world's most challenging and inspiring sports. She profiles women who have overcome challenges to become athletes and tri for themselves and to help others. Women Who Tri will entertain, enlighten, and inspire any triathlon enthusiast, from tri-addicts to the tri-curious.
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This is a funny book - the small town that Difabio moves to as a stay at home mom of several kids and one special needs kid is bursting with women who are training for triathlons. Frankly curious about this obsession but not exactly gung-ho to do one herself she pulls together some interesting history of the sport, many “rising over adversity” profiles of the women + girls doing tris, and (of course) her own experiences training and completing a triathlon. Overall the text is enthusiastic, it focuses on what triathlons do for the women, the charity causes many of them support, and the overall community rather than athletic records. Difabio makes triathlons FEEL accessible to all women.
I did imagine all the “ladies in pink” as white upper-middle class ladies - Difabio doesn't address race in this sport / although she does talk about the shear expense (still cheaper than some things like sailing eyeroll) and talks about a few ways to control expensive for a newcomer to the sport (mostly - borrow a bike).
sidenote when triathlon first became an Olympic sport a Canadian, Simon Whitfield, won gold at the 2000 Sydney Olympics and we met his parents at the Edmonton Airport standing in line to get our flights rescheduled a year or two after that. Apparently winning gold makes you a target in later races!
Anyway, I enjoyed this.
