Kindle Pick of the Week: Swim, Bike, Bonk: Confessions of a Reluctant Triathlete

Just as George Plimpton had his proverbial cup of coffee in the NFL as the un-recruited and certainly unwanted fourth-string quarterback for the Detroit Lions, so, too, did Will McGough immerse himself in a sport he had no business trying. Like Plimpton, whose football folly turned into the bestselling Paper Lion, travel and outdoor writer McGough writes of his participation in, around, and over the course of one of the world's premier triathlons, the annual 140.6-mile Ironman in Tempe, Arizona.

McGough chronicles the Ironman’s history, his unorthodox training, the pageantry of the race weekend, and his attempt to finish the epic event. The narrative follows not just his race but also explores the cult and habits of the triathlete community, beginning with the first Ironman competition in Hawaii in 1978. This is a light-hearted, self-deprecating, and at times hilarious look at one man's attempt to conquer the ultimate endurance sport, with a conclusion that will surprise and delight both dedicated triathletes as well as strangers to the sport.

Ever Changing Week 17 Odds

Be careful of changing week 17 odds.

Week 17

Browns at Bengals (+2.5)

Falcons at Buccaneers (pk) opened Bucs -2

Redskins at Cowboys (-10.5) opened Cowboys -7.5

Bears at Vikings (-7)

Saints at Panthers (+12.5) opened Saints -11

Eagles at Giants (+4.5)

Jets at Bills (-1.5) opened Bills -4.5

Dolphins at Patriots (-16.5) opened Pats -14

Packers at Lions (+9.5)

Chargers at Chiefs (-7.5)

Titans at Texans (+5.5) opened Texans -1

Colts at Jaguars (+3.5) opened Jags -1

Cardinals at Rams (-7)

Steelers at Ravens (-1) opened Ravens -3

Raiders at Broncos (-4)

49ers at Seahawks (+3) opened Seahawks pk

A Little on NBA Load Management

More on Load Management in the NBA.

Kindle Pick of the Week: Tiger Woods Back and Tommy John's Elbow

Injuries play a big role in sports.

Dr. Jonathan Gelber has compiled a list of impactful injuries and tragedies in Tiger Woods's Back and Tommy John’s Elbow: Injuries and Tragedies That Transformed Careers, Sports, and Society and the ripple effect they have had on players across several different sports and on society in general.

Among the athletes featured in this book are:

• Tommy John and how the surgery that bears his name may have led to a youth injury epidemic
• Dale Earnhardt and how his devastating crash led to new rules and safety concerns for NASCAR and changes in privacy laws
• Lyle Alzado and how the conversation on steroids was driven underground
• Len Bias and how his death shaped today's drug laws
• And many more!

If you are a sports fan, a player, coach, gambler, you'll want to read this!

Kindle Pick of the Week: Tiger Woods's Back and Tommy John's Elbow

Sometimes injuries in sports tell the story.

How has today’s society changed because of Sandy Koufax, Tom Brady, or Tiger Woods? How have courtrooms and the law changed because of the tragic loss of a No. 1 NBA Draft Pick and a NASCAR driver? And what effect did Magic Johnson’s announcement regarding his HIV diagnosis have on the NBA and testing across the nation?

Dr. Jonathan Gelber has compiled a list of impactful injuries and tragedies in Tiger Woods's Back and Tommy John’s Elbow: Injuries and Tragedies That Transformed Careers, Sports, and Society and the ripple effect they have had on players across several different sports and on society in general.

Among the athletes featured in this book are:

• Tommy John and how the surgery that bears his name may have led to a youth injury epidemic
• Dale Earnhardt and how his devastating crash led to new rules and safety concerns for NASCAR and changes in privacy laws
• Lyle Alzado and how the conversation on steroids was driven underground
• Len Bias and how his death shaped today's drug laws
• And many more!

Great stories and great insight.