A Life Without Limits is a delightful sport auto-biography by legendary Ironman world champion Chrissie Wellington.
Part of her inspiration is that Chrissie did not grow up with anyone, including herself, thinking she had a destiny as a professional triathlete. She struggled with perfectionism and eating disorders. Vocationally she thought of being a lawyer, until she realised that was driven by a desire to validate herself in the eyes of others. Instead she followed a friend’s advice to travel to grow as a person and “until your find your passion in this world”.
This led to a career in international development, working for the British Public Service and an NGO in Nepal. She learned important lessons about grassroots community development (and not just guilt-driven handouts), but also had lots of fun with mountain biking. When she was 30, she seized the day and became a professional triathlete, initially planning on Olympic distance goals for the Olympic games. But she soon discovered a strength – with the help pf controversial coach Brett Sutton – in Ironman distance racing.
As well as being a ripping good yarn, the book is filled with humorous anecdotes and practical lessons. Her advice includes liberal use of Vaseline and weeing a squirt on the bike if someone is drafting behind you! She also discusses the different sessions for swim, bike and run she has used, and how she has learned (in spite of herself) to rest and recover in between to build the strength.
Her race reports are full of important lessons. For example, after good swims she still saw room for improvement especially in the first 200m: “It reinforced the need to concentrate at the start and get in among the flying body parts and on the feet of the fastest swimmers”. She learned not to care about the latest equipment. She won her first Ironman (Korea) on a road bike before getting a TT bike a few weeks out from her first Kona race, which of course she won. And she learned the importance of discipline and focus with regular self-assessment. In a race she is constantly asking “Are my arms relaxed? Is my face? Am I working as hard as I can? Am I breathing into my body …? Is my hand entering correctly, am I finishing the stroke correctly, am I on feet?”
Ultimately, she encourages others to push at your own cautious brain-imposed limits on what you think you can do. Her ambitions have changed from perfection to being ready and able to overcome imperfections. She likes quoting Lance Armstrong, “Pain is temporary, quitting last forever”; and reads Kipling’s “If” poem before a race to remind her to keep her head whatever the circumstances.
As an aged-group triathlete eager to learn, I thoroughly enjoyed and learned a lot from A Life Without Limits and Chrissie’s commitment to be the best triathlete she could be who also gave back to the triathlon community and encouraged others. But my partner Jenni also enjoyed it as simply an inspiring life story of a women passionate to pursue her dreams and change the world.
This is highly recommended reading or a great gift for aspiring or accomplished athletes especially triathletes or other endurance athletes, or anyone looking for an inspiring holiday read.
About the Reviewer
Darren Cronshaw is a Chaplain who has served at Army School of Transport, Puckapunyal, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, Kapooka and Defence Force School of Signals. He is also Professor of Practical and Intercultural Theology with the Australian College of Ministries (Sydney College of Divinity). His hobby is pushing the boundaries of resilience in Ironman triathlons and is a member of ADF Triathlon Club (ADFTC).