Click Here To Purchase Flying Over The Finish Line: Women Triathletes’ Stories of Life

Author:  Susan L. Kane

ISBN:  987-0-9799341-4-8

This book sets out to inspire and motivate women to make goals and carry them out, using personal essays by a diverse group of women triathletes as an example.  These women are from all walks of life; for the most part not athletically accomplished; some were getting active for the first time since childhood.  Yes, this book does achieve what it sets out to; how can it not be inspiring with so many concrete examples of women taking on a challenge and carrying it through?  That is what’s good about this type of book as opposed to some abstract self-help ideological one.  But less would have been more, in this case, as I found there to be only a handful of memorable essays.  Some of the essays are short and seem to follow a formula:  How did I decide to do a triathlon; what obstacles did I overcome; what was my triathlon experience like and what did I learn?  No one wants to read formula, right?  Thankfully there are a few essays that get more in-depth and stand out with unique voices.  Especially memorable is the essay by Susan Denini, formerly obese, a self-proclaimed “queen of excuses,” who has lost 125 lbs (so far).  Her voice is joyful and her enthusiasm jumps off the page. 

These essays are pulled together and arranged thematically by author Susan L. Kane.  Her story also is an inspiring one, but she breaks it up throughout the book, for the sake of the chapter headings.  She starts her story in the introduction; another part is under “She who has the most fun wins!” and another under “Obstacles.”  I would have liked to read her story all at once, because it was frustrating to read on the first page, “I decided to accept the challenge for reasons I will later describe.” And “Later in the book, you’ll hear about how I developed my swim skills.”  Kane also summarizes all the stories, and their lessons, at the end of every chapter.

This book heavily promotes the Danskin triathlon series, but this doesn’t detract from the stories.  

Women-only triathlons seem to be the rapidly gaining popularity.  This book caught my eye because I had just participated in my first triathlon.  Two years ago, my Mothers-of -Preschoolers-Group started a triathlon-training group, and since then I have been asked to join two other triathlon groups.  It’s the new thing, girls, and it is a great self-image booster, and worthwhile accomplishment, as is illustrated in this YOU CAN DO IT! book for women. 

Click Here To Purchase Flying Over The Finish Line: Women Triathletes’ Stories of Life

The above review was constributed by: Sonia Reppe: Sonia holds a B.A. in vocal performance, gives voice lessons in the Chicago area and spends most of her time reading and taking care of her daughter, husband and cats.