Three Books for an Intellectual Triathlon

In giving my 39th year an intellectual purpose along with the daunting task of training for an Ironman, I chose three difficult books to read. This is intertwined with the three events of the Ironman:

The Swim

Just like proper technique in the swim results in a graceful, fluid propulsion across the water, Brazilian Portuguese, when pronounced correctly flows musically and rhythmically from the speaker. For that reason, I chose Gabriela, Cravo e Canela (Gabriela, Clove and Cinnamon) by Jorge Amado.

Just like my technique is flawed in the swim, my Portuguese pronunciation could use some work. Nonetheless, I get through the swim and got through the novel. Completed June 11, 2008.

The Bike

In 1989, my uncle gave me a copy of Rayuela (Hopscotch) by Ju

lio Cortázar. The book is in Spanish and is considered one of the best Latin American novels. I have started this novel several times but have never put a dent in it. When I decided to finally read it, I couldn’t find my copy, so I had to buy a new one.

This novel is actually two books. The first is comprised of the first 56 chapters. They are read in order, and the remaining chapters are ignored. Then, one rereads the chapters (including the dispensable chapters) in the order which Cortázar recommends resulting in a very different book. This sounds to me like an out-and-back course where the “there” and “back” vary greatly. Also, the bike is the longest segment of a tri, so this will be my longest read at over 1,000 pages of sometimes challenging reading. Started June 19, 2008.

The Run

For the third leg, I chose Ulysses by James Joyce. Besides being considered the most important English-language novel of the 20th century, reading it last captures the essence of my quest for Ironman. It is challenging, long, and rewarding. Also, Joyce chose Ulysses as the archetype of the complete man: he is a husband, father, son, brother, etc. In my quest for Ironman, I also want to be a complete man in every realm – familial, athletic, intellectual, and professional to embrace my 40th birthday and the second half of my life. Start date TBD.