In this inspiring memoir, an Ironman World Championship winner shares the details of her hard-earned triathlon success and encourages others to set off on their own fitness journeys.
In 2007, Chrissie Wellington shocked the triathlon world by winning the Ironman World Championships in Hawaii. As a newcomer to the sport and a complete unknown to the press, Chrissie's win shook up the sport. A LIFE WITHOUT LIMITS is the story of her rise to the top, a journey that has taken her around the world, from a childhood in England, to the mountains of Nepal, to the oceans of New Zealand, and the trails of Argentina, and first across the finish line.
Wellington's first-hand, inspiring story includes all the incredible challenges she has faced-- from anorexia to near-drowning to training with a controversial coach. But to Wellington, the drama of the sports also presents an opportunity to use sports to improve people's lives.
A LIFE WITHOUT LIMITS reveals the heart behind Wellington's success, along with the diet, training and motivational techniques that keep her going through one of the world's most grueling events.
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"If you've ever wanted to get into the mind of a down-to-earth world champion, A Life Without Limits is your chance. Chrissie Wellington's chronology of her path to triathlon success is peppered with honest descriptions of her personal difficulties and failings, all of which she still strives to overcome. Even better, she takes the time to honor the real heroes of Ironman, those who do it to be the best they can be just for themselves, even if they never have a chance of winning."
— Sharry (4 out of 5 stars)
“One of the biggest fears of a male pro triathlete is getting ‘chicked’ by a lady. For the first time in history that fear applies to nearly all male professionals. Chrissie is that good.”
— Lance Armstrong“A graphic account of what it takes to become a world-class athlete…What emerges from this book is the portrait of a thoroughly nice woman. Her exceptional qualities have led her to achievements that her readers can scarcely imagine. But she still remains touchingly connected to that ‘ordinary girl from Norfolk.’ It’s a winning combination.”
— Daily Mail (London)“Lee is consistent, pleasant sounding, and never overly emotional. As narrator, she’s as focused as Wellington is in the water, on the road, or during training. Wellington herself delivers the epilogue, which gives another human touch to this story.”
— AudioFile“What amazes me about Chrissie Wellington is not that she wins, but by how much…Like Usain Bolt, Wellington has burst onto the scene and destroyed the opposition. Those within athletics said that Bolt was coming, but Wellington came from nowhere and wins by a relatively greater margin.”
— James Cracknell, adventurer and two-time Olympic gold medalist“Most compelling are the urgent details on the meticulous preparatory routines and rituals necessary to become physically (and mentally) ready to compete in these grueling contests…Empowering and suitably commemorative.”
— Kirkus ReviewsWhat emerges from this book is the portrait of a thoroughly nice woman. Her exceptional qualities have led her to achievements that her readers can scarcely imagine. But she still remains touchingly connected to that ordinary girl from Norfolk. It's a winning combination."
---Jane Shilling, The Daily Mail
What amazes me about Chrissie Wellington is not that she wins, but by how much...Like Usain Bolt, Wellington has burst on to the scene and destroyed the opposition. Those within athletics said that Bolt was coming but Wellington came from nowhere and wins by a relatively greater margin."
---James Cracknell, two time Olympic gold medalist, and adventurer
Empowering and suitably commemorative."
---Kirkus Reviews
" Wonderful book to listen to. Proves how much your body can truly handle even if your mind doesn't believe it at first. "
— Eric, 5/31/2016" Inspiration all the way! Great, quick read. "
— Sarah, 2/20/2014" Fantastic book. Review to follow. "
— Boof, 2/16/2014" interesting insights. but you really need passion for sports! "
— Manuela, 2/12/2014" It's clear she's a triathlete and not a writer, but I did enjoy this. Chrissie is an amazing person. "
— Megan, 2/6/2014" I am extremely disappointed with this book. As a friend who was also reading the book said, "shes a triathelete, not a writer". Despite her university education, her wit that comes out in interviews i've seen and read, despite her having another writer help her, an editor...despite all of this the book comes through as repetitive and choppy. Athletes can write good books (Lance Armstrong's its not about the bike, Apolo Ohno's no regrets) but this is not one of them. Instead it is written as if it were never edited. Typed, bound, and thrown on the shelf. "
— Sean, 1/19/2014" I love Chrissie Wellington as a triathlete and was very excited to read this book. I've got to say that I ended up a bit disappointed and was glad when the book was done. Chrissie has a great story, but unfortunately the writing was not up to standard. "
— Matt, 1/19/2014" Perhaps it's completely nerdy that I almost started crying at the end of Chrissie's description of her first time at Kona. She's kind of my hero. "
— Michaela, 1/16/2014" Inspirational and unique behind-the-scenes view of the life of a true champion. A Life Without Limits is not Great Literature but the straight in your face kind of storytelling makes for an entertaining read. "
— Jacob, 1/5/2014" amazing story of drive and determination to be the best you can be! "
— Hawkins, 12/27/2013" This book was fantastic. Loaded with personal stories explaining her decision process and the battles she went through while becoming a pro athlete. It was a very inspiring book. "
— Miguel, 12/24/2013" Extremely compelling on an emotional level and a quick read. I definitely shed more than one tear. However, the writing left something to be desired. The constant asides and references to muppets impeded the story. I still highly recommend it. The pictures at the end were great! "
— Kelley, 10/10/2013" I loved loved loved this book. But I love Chrissie. She seems so real to me. "
— Beverly, 10/9/2013" Chrissy is an amazing athlete and legend in the sport. good book demonstrating what will power and determination can bring to endeavors in sports and beyond. "
— Sun, 9/1/2013" I'm not a runner, I don't enjoy pushing myself physically past a point of comfort. This book however, although slightly annoying at times "Still got it", has made me think about how I looks at goals I set for myself in life. "
— Valerie, 8/3/2013" I wish I had even a fraction of her drive and determination. What an adventurous life she has lived. "
— Janee, 6/7/2013" Enjoyable read and truly inspiring. As it's said, there are two types of great athletes: the ones who inspire themselves and the ones who inspire others. Chrissie Wellington definitely belongs to the latter. "
— Alex, 4/22/2013" Chrissie is amazing, and I loved reading her story. "
— Darla, 3/12/2013" inspiring me to do an ironman "
— Lorraine, 1/2/2013" Chrissie is an inspiration! This was very motivating to anyone that swims, bikes and runs. "
— Caroline, 11/19/2012" Fantastic motivational book. Well written and easy to read "
— Bev, 8/25/2012" A far superior book about endurance sport and female athletes is Joan Benoit Samuelson's Running Tide. "
— Kim, 8/23/2012" Very motivating. Perfect pre-race reading material. "
— Lberman, 8/10/2012" Fascinating story of a fascinating woman. Inspired me in many ways... "
— Kerstin, 6/20/2012" Loved this book. So inspiring and awesome to hear some of the "behind the scenes" stories of such a huge name in triathlon. "
— Mdraeger, 5/17/2012" This book was awesome; I was amazed at how quickly Chrissie came to be an elite triathlete. So cool that she did her summer training in Thailand and Switzerland during the winter. The stories about her race experience were very inspiring. "
— Danielle, 5/10/2012Chrissie Wellington is a four-time winner of the Ironman Triathlon World Championships, having won the women’s course world championship in 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2011. Prior to her athletic career, she worked for the United Kingdom government in the Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs as an advisor on international development policy.
Polly Lee, an Earphones Award–winning narrtor, is an actress from London who has appeared in the off-Broadway shows Lenin’s Embalmer’s, Close Ties, Slag Heap, The October Crisis, and others. She received her BA degree in theater studies from London University and an MFA from the New School in New York.