Journey to Blue Lake, My Tri Dream Comes True makes the challenge of tackling a swim-bike-run event less daunting and confusing. This newbie-to-the sport chronicles his challenging year with candor. While ending a marriage and losing his father, he turned to alcohol for support. Rick could have given up on life, but used his training to find the finish line and himself in the process.

As a former collegiate athlete, the author understood the need to prepare physically and mentally and shares his insight as he navigates this new road. From transition tips to the nuances of competing in a three-sport event, he takes other newbies along with him from “Decision Day” to “Race Day”. A father of twins and one of his company’s top sale persons for two decades, this competitor also knows the joy and adrenaline rush of setting goals and reaching them. In his humorous, but honest chapters, his stories will inspire busy men and women to try a sprint tri.

His compassionate narrative of long days spent in the pool and his fearful first attempt at open-water training repeatedly delivers “common sense” advice to assist participants new to the event. With recommended strength workouts to build a strong base and prevent injury, training examples plus equipment, nutritional, and gear ‘check lists’—whatever a new triathlete needs to know—it is all in here. This hands-on guide will include a “Tri Terms’ glossary and shopping lists for equipment and apparel.