Completing IronFit’s “triathlon trilogy” alongside Be IronFit and IronFit Secrets for Half Iron-Distance Success, this is a “go-to,” time-efficient training guide for the Standard and Sprint-distance triathlons, which are the most accessible and achievable distances for time-crunched athletes. The Standard Distance is the original triathlon configuration: a 1.5 km swim, 40 km bike, and 10 km run (0.9 mile swim, 24.8 mile bike, and 6.2 mile run). The Sprint Distance usually includes a 750 meter swim, 20 km bike, and 5 km run (Half mile swim, 12.4 mile bike, and 3.1 mile run). And there are duathlon equivalents of both triathlon races. These Short Course distances are the “everyman” races of the sport, and Don and Melanie Fink offer their time-efficient IronFit® training approach to them here in this book.

Don and Melanie Fink are internationally known triathlon and running coaches/trainers and authors of several popular endurance sports training books including: IronFit Marathons after 40 (2017); Be IronFit: Time-Efficient Training Secrets for Ultimate Fitness: Third Edition (2016); IronFit Triathlon Training for Women (2015); IronFit Secrets for Half Iron-Distance Success (2014);IronFit Strength Training and Nutrition for Endurance Athletes (2013); and Mastering the Marathon, Time Efficient Training Secrets for the 40-plus Athlete (2010).

Don has raced over 30 Iron-Distance triathlons and has many age group victories and course records to his credit. Don’s time of 9:08 at the 2004 Ironman Florida is one of the fastest times ever recorded by an athlete in the 45-49 age group. Don is a Certified Personal Trainer by The American Council on Exercise (A.C.E.) and he is a Professional Member of the National Strength & Conditioning Association (NSCA).

Melanie is a Certified Personal Trainer by The American Council on Exercise (A.C.E.) and a past Regional Council Member of USA Triathlon Mid- Atlantic. In addition to being a sports coach/trainer and Masters Swimming coach, Melanie Fink is an elite athlete. She has many age group and overall victories in triathlon and open water swimming competitions, has completed twelve Iron-distance triathlons (including the Hawaii Ironman twice), and completed Ultra Man Canada in Penticton, British Columbia.

Don and Melanie, train endurance athletes on five continents through their business: IronFit (www.IronFit.com). They live in Carroll County, New Hampshire.