WOMEN WHO TRI

In 2009, one of my friends said she was training for a triathlon and forming a club. I had no idea what a triathlon even was, and after she explained it to me? I thought it was the most ridiculous thing I'd ever heard. Why would someone swim in an open body of water, then bike, then run all in a row? On purpose! Then, call it fun? 

Soon, I was surrounded by hundreds of TriathaMoms. My friend joined three other women and they co-founded an all-female triathlon club in my quiet, quaint, little town. It grew from about 90 members to over 900 in only a handful of years. Everyone was drinking the kool aid. Women of all ages, shapes, and fitness levels were flocking to triathlon. For most, it started out as a challenge or a bucket list goal and ended up as an obsession. 

At some point, I drank the kool aid too, a little reluctantly. I started out with running which I fell in love with and enjoy immensely. I've done 5Ks, 8Ks, a few 5-milers and the Broad Street 10 miler. One day I plan to do a half-marathon, but that's as far as I'm willing to go. Mostly, I just like to run on my own. I'm not a big race person. Too much hassle.

I finally caved in 2014 and gave triathlon a "tri." In all honesty, I did it in the name of research for a book I was getting ready to pitch - a non-fiction journalistic memoir about women in triathlon. I taught myself to swim (humbling!) and ride a bike. I didn't think I'd like it, but I did. It was a truly awesome experience and I've never been more proud of myself. I've done a total of three sprint triathlons, one of which you can read about here.  

Oh, and great news... my book was signed with VeloPress, the leading publishing house for endurance sports books, in January of 2017! Women Who Tri: A Reluctant Athlete's Journey Into the Heart of America's Newest Obsession is available NOW in select Barnes & Noble locations, select independent book stores, and specialty endurance sports shops.  It's available online at Barnes & Noble.com , Amazon, IndieBound, Indigo, Target, VeloPress, and my author website. 

It has received much early praise, was an Amazon #1 "Hot New Release" and #1 Amazon Best Seller in triathlon books. Women Who Tri was also included in Publishers Weekly's "Sports Books 2017." 

For more information on me, the author of Women Who Tri, visit my author website at www.aliciadifabio.com