Against the Wind: An Ironwoman's Race for Her Family's Survival

Description

To one woman, running was more than a passion-it was a lesson in perseverance. Lee DiPietro discovered the exhilaration of endurance athletics when she ran her first half marathon in her late twenties. From that day forward, she took on every marathon that she could, and despite having to juggle her running with her responsibilities as mother and wife, she quickly established herself as one of the best runners in the United States. Over the next thirty years Lee won race after race, running in everything from local competitions to the three most challenging endurance races: the Boston Marathon, the New York City Marathon, and the Ironman triathlon. What she did not know, as she climbed the ranks of the running world, was the struggle her family would face and the role her running would play in helping her persevere in the face of great adversity. When Lee's husband was diagnosed with cancer and her son suffered a devastating accident, she found herself falling back on the lessons she had learned as a marathoner to help her endure the sudden family trials. In Against the Wind, DiPietro takes us through her harrowing yearlong fight for the lives of her husband and son. Despite the great difficulties she faced, throughout it all remained her love for running. Against the Wind is a story that will resonate with readers whose lives have been affected by cancer as well as those who are dedicated to endurance sports. It proves that running is a tool to save lives-far from just a sport and test of one's mettle. Skyhorse Publishing, as well as our Sports Publishing imprint, is proud to publish a broad range of books for readers interested in sports-books about baseball, pro football, college football, pro and college basketball, hockey, or soccer, we have a book about your sport or your team. In addition to books on popular team sports, we also publish books for a wide variety of athletes and sports enthusiasts, including books on running, cycling, horseback riding, swimming, tennis, martial arts, golf, camping, hiking, aviation, boating, and so much more. While not every title we publish becomes a New York Times bestseller or a national bestseller, we are committed to publishing books on subjects that are sometimes overlooked by other publishers and to authors whose work might not otherwise find a home.

Lee DiPietro is an endurance athlete, motivational speaker, and educator. Over the course of her thirty-year career, DiPietro has won 202 races and established herself as one of the preeminent endurance athletes of her day. DiPietro and her husband, Lee, split their time between Delray Beach, Florida, and Newport, Rhode Island.

"A riveting story of one brave woman's fight to become a world class athlete and compete in the Ironman, and how the lessons she learned competing helped her save her family. A must read." Susan Butler, author of East to the Dawn: The Life of Amelia Earhart "I have been privileged to coach and be around many great athletes, including Lee. What sets truly great athletes apart is character, and character transcends sports. Lee's character is the star of this book about dealing with and overcoming unthinkable personal tragedy, the likes of which could only be dreamt up by some warped Hollywood fiction writer. Yet it is all true and Lee and her family survived, and we are blessed with an amazing story of a personal odyssey, which will inspire us all." Tracy Sundlun, former Olympic track & field coach and co-founder of the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon series "I have known Lee for two decades as a runner and fellow competitor. Her character is true gold and her commitment to any project she dedicates herself to, whether qualifying for the Olympic Trials or writing a book for publication, is rock solid. I know Lee's story will be read with great interest in the running community and beyond." Gordon Bakoulis "A riveting story of one brave woman's fight to become a world class athlete and compete in the Ironman, and how the lessons she learned competing helped her save her family. A must read." Susan Butler, author of East to the Dawn: The Life of Amelia Earhart "I have been privileged to coach and be around many great athletes, including Lee. What sets truly great athletes apart is character, and character transcends sports. Lee's character is the star of this book about dealing with and overcoming unthinkable personal tragedy, the likes of which could only be dreamt up by some warped Hollywood fiction writer. Yet it is all true and Lee and her family survived, and we are blessed with an amazing story of a personal odyssey, which will inspire us all." Tracy Sundlun, former Olympic track & field coach and co-founder of the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon series "I have known Lee for two decades as a runner and fellow competitor. Her character is true gold and her commitment to any project she dedicates herself to, whether qualifying for the Olympic Trials or writing a book for publication, is rock solid. I know Lee's story will be read with great interest in the running community and beyond." Gordon Bakoulis