As tide brings change, women are moving to the forefront of fitness and especially in triathlon. Hailing the toughest challenge known as ‘IRONMAN’ in triathlon, Karen Siah, a renowned name in Malaysia’s running and fitness scene, completed her first Ironman at Langkawi, Malaysia in 2015.

It’s no easy feat as Karen completed the Ironman – swim 3.8km, cycle 180km against Langkawi’s infamous winds and searing tropical heat and run 42km to complete impressively in 13hrs 43mins. Recently, Karen published a book: ‘How I became an Ironman’, available in MPH bookstores around Malaysia.

TA: What’s your inspiration behind writing this book?

Karen: MPH approached me to write this to inspire ‘weekend warriors’ – people who are just starting out in triathlon, or people who are married to triathletes and have no clue what goes on in a triathlon. People often wonder why we are so crazy about combining these three sports – swim, bike, run, and why we sacrifice our time and effort.

I completed this book in less than 4 months, and it’s printed by MPH, who will continue to print it if there’s demand. Even though I am used to writing, I realised it’s not easy to write a book, and it’s not easy to maintain the same enthusiasm throughout the chapters. The foreword was written by my brother, Kevin Siah who has completed 8 Ironmans and who was the driving inspiration behind my first Ironman.

TA: What’s the story behind these pages?

Karen: It’s about my training journey, how I thought about pursuing the Ironman idea, why I wanted do it, and how I completed it.

It’s reflects how I trained, and not necessarily how others train as I’m generally someone who trains as and when I like. I didn’t have a strict regime and just generally like working out.

It might work as a rough guide to someone who wants to embark on the Ironman journey, on how much you need to train, if you prefer a training regime, or just be self-disciplined to work something out for yourself.

TA: When would you do another Ironman?

Karen: I hope to do one in 2017, as I took a break this year to prepare for my wedding. When I looked at my friends, I realised I missed cycling and I yearn to join them again.

TA: Which was your favourite part?

Karen: I wrote the last chapter first on the Race Day itself, and the memory was still fresh in my mind then. I was writing about everything about the race, my roller coaster of emotions, and when I re-watch the video of my finishing, I still tear up and get so emotional.

TA: Who should buy this book?

Karen: I feel that triathletes and endurance athletes should buy this book for their significant others and loved ones, to share the journey with them. I’ve put a few books at Apple Physio in PJ and the general public have been buying it to inspire their family members, who runs or likes cycling.

Even though you’re not a triathlete, this book will inspire you to achieve more than before, and perhaps you can pass on a dose of aspiration to those around you.

‘How I became an Ironman’, retails at RM29.90 in MPH bookstores around Malaysia. ISBN: 9789674153762