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Thursday, 22 December 2011 02:00

By Kevin Firth (for xtri.com)

Book Review - Being a triathlete, the sport is always on our minds and for some of us, it is everywhere we look. Whether it's worrying about the next workout, what races to schedule for next season, or getting the right gear; there is always something on our minds. Did you ever stop to think of the lighter side of the sport? Take some of the most anal and intense people on the planet and throw them into one race, and something funny is bound to happen. Leib Dodell entered the sport by accident back in the late 80's armed with only a sense of humor, and he immersed himself into the triathlon world. Throughout all the training and racing, one thing has remained consistent with Leib, and that is his sense of humor. This humor was carried from the races onto the pages of Inside Triathlon, where Leib wrote a column, "The Lighter Side of Triathlon" for over ten years. With the ten years of stories, Leib has created the book, "Sex, Lies, and Triathlon" which is definitely one of the most refreshing and fun books I have read on the sport of triathlon. The book is filled with hilarious short stories, that make for an easy fun read. While the booked has its share of funny events/incidents that Leib has witness throughout his triathlon career, it is also filled with Leib's unique and humorous viewpoint on the sport, which I found to be very refreshing. This is definitely...

the perfect gift for the triathlete on your list this season. Leib was not only nice enough to send us a copy of his book, but he also took sometime to sit down with Xtri and give us more insight into the book and who he is.

1. How did you initially get involved in triathlons?

It happened almost by accident. I really had no swimming, cycling or running background . . . I was more of a basketball guy. But about twenty years ago, I got injured playing hoops, and the only way I could stay in shape was by getting in the pool. After a couple weeks, I could actually swim a lap without stopping, so I figured why not try a tri? I actually did my first race, in Colonial Beach Virginia, in a pair of red canvas Chuck Taylor hightops (you old-timers will know what those are!). I'll never forget it. I figured out pretty quickly that since I wasn't going to be fast, I better try to be funny!

2. How did you begin writing for Inside Triathlon?

Again, by accident. (Are you seeing a theme here?) It was the early 90's and I was living in Boston. I joined a local triathlon team and wrote a couple columns for our little newsletter. People thought they were funny, and someone suggested I send them in to IT. I thought they were crazy, but I put a couple in an envelope and sent them in, figuring that would be the end of it. To my surprise, I got a call from a super nice guy named Chris Newbound, who at that time was the editor, asking me what my fee was? Are you kidding me, my FEE? Just publish the damn things and I'll be ecstatic. And I had a column for the next 10 years.

3. What was the first event that sparked your interest to chronicle the lighter side of triathlon?

That would be the aforementioned Colonial Beach triathlon. I recount this momentous occasion in detail in Chapter 1 of the book. I had absolutely no idea what I was doing, and it got to the point where no one would make eye contact with me because they were sure I would ask them some idiotic question! Now, I've become the guy who won't make eye contact with any of the newbies as I'm frantically going through my pre-race ritual! I remember that for some reason I had the idea in my head that there would be a place to change clothes after the swim . . . so I got out of the water and started running around looking for the dressing room!

4. After 12 years of writing for Inside Triathlon, what inspired you to sit down and write this book?

This is something I have been wanting to do for years -- but as everyone knows, triathletes are supreme procrastinators! While I was writing the column, I got emails from people literally all around the word (I got one from someone in Zimbabwe!), and many of them suggested that I compile the columns into a book. It has been super fun to put it together . . . I had totally forgetten about some of the columns I'd written years ago. And, it is has really helped me get back into racing shape. I must admit I had gotten away from it in recent years, but I figured if I'm going to publish a triathlon book I'd better not be a pudgy middle-aged Jewish guy -- can't do anything about the last two, but I got rid of the pudginess!

5. In your own words, what would be a one line review of the book?

This guy is crazy . . . wait a minute, I think we're ALL crazy!

6. What is you favorite/funniest story from you life in triathlon?

Oh man . . . there are so many. But here is one of my favorites, and it's not in the book, so this is a bonus for Xtri.com readers. A couple years ago (OK fine, it was 2004), I went down to Brazil with some friends to do Ironman Brazil. We were at the pre-race dinner, which was at a big Mexican restaurant. (Come to think of it, it was a probably a Brazilian restaurant, but you get the idea.). All of the waiters were super friendly, and they were all wearing black pants and white shirts. At some point during the meal, my friend Scott decided he needed a diet Coke. There was a Brazilian-looking guy in black pants and a white shirt standing nearby, so my friend waved him over, and asked him for a diet Coke. The guy looked confused, there was an awkward moment, and then he walked away. We looked around our table, and everyone was laughing so hard they had tears running down their cheeks. It turns out the guy was Christian Bustos, the famous Chilean triathlete! The entire rest of the trip, everywhere we went, people would point at Scott and say "That's the guy that ordered a diet Coke from Christian Bustos." To this day, that makes me laugh out loud! Christian, if you're reading this . . . We apologize!

7. What's up next for you? Any sequels in the works? Any races for 2012?

I've got to do a sequel, because I've got to publish that Christian Bustos story! Actually, I am spending this winter living in Beaver Creek, Colorado, so I think my next book might be "Sex, Lies and Snowboarding" or something like that. And yes, you will definitely see me at the races in 2012 . . . .

For more information on the book check out http://www.friesenpress.com/bookstore/title/119734000002341874.