Last month I finished Chrissie Wellington's memoir A Life Without Limits: A Champion's Journey. I bought it after seeing a fellow blogger post it as a book she reads regularly. I looked it up and was attracted to it after reading that Wellington did not start out as child athlete and grow into this Ironman superstar, instead she stumbled upon triathlon and Ironman and found that she excelled in it.
Wellington's writing is approachable and casual. It's obvious that she wrote it herself. I really enjoyed knowing that this was really her words and not a ghost writer's. The book starts out with quite a bit of history into Wellington's teens and early adulthood. Wellington openly discussed how she suffered from body issues and an eating disorder. Wellington recounts all of her travels as a young adult and the many friends she made along the way.
I will admit, that I was a bit disengaged during this portion of the book. I was anxious to read all about her triathlon/Ironman world and didn't see the value in knowing all of the backstory. However, as the book went on it became apparent that Wellington's journey to triathlon really started back when she began her story. All of these happy (and not so happy) incidents and choices led her to ultimately be the Ironman World Champion 4 times.
The book includes photos taken all throughout Wellington's life. It's nice to be able to put faces to all of the many characters throughout her story.
I will admit, that I was a bit disengaged during this portion of the book. I was anxious to read all about her triathlon/Ironman world and didn't see the value in knowing all of the backstory. However, as the book went on it became apparent that Wellington's journey to triathlon really started back when she began her story. All of these happy (and not so happy) incidents and choices led her to ultimately be the Ironman World Champion 4 times.
The book includes photos taken all throughout Wellington's life. It's nice to be able to put faces to all of the many characters throughout her story.
Wellington is a self professed perfectionist and it's that desire that pushed her to her full potential as a triathlete. I found myself is awe of everything Wellington put her body through once she began training with her first coach, Brett Sutton. Its fascinating to read as she recounts all of her thoughts and feelings during trainings and through all of her races. I found myself getting excited with her as she discusses in detail all that she achieved and never thought she could.
I strongly encourage all women (and men) to read Wellington's story. It was truly inspirational to me. I happened to finish it on the same weekend of Ironman World Championships this year and recognized the winner Mirinda Carfrae's name from Wellington's story so I was totally engrossed in the race (just ask Matthew).
I strongly encourage all women (and men) to read Wellington's story. It was truly inspirational to me. I happened to finish it on the same weekend of Ironman World Championships this year and recognized the winner Mirinda Carfrae's name from Wellington's story so I was totally engrossed in the race (just ask Matthew).