Reviews (117)

Buy It
I finished the Honolulu Marathon in good enough condition to walk another couple of miles to the hotel immediately afterwards all thanks to this book. The book touched my life in the way only the best of books can. Your search for a really good first time marathon how-to book is over. Buy it!!!

Very Good!
They got it down. It's a sixteen week course, providing you are up to speed with the preliminary 11 week training program.(That's the ablility to jog 30 minutes - 4 times a week) I am on my last long run this weekend of week#13 at 18 miles (the first long run was 5 in week 1)and then the last 3 weeks before the marathon is all tapering back. I am confident, and have not a doubt that I am, by this time, a marathoner, and will finish. That is the goal emphasized by the book, and that will be fine by me ...(this time..)!!

I just finished about 2 hours ago!
I'm sitting here typing this with salt on my face and a medal around my neck.I have this book to thank for finishing my first marathon, and I couldn't be happier.
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Subjects:  1. Athletic Training And Conditioning    2. Marathon running    3. Running    4. Running & Jogging    5. Sports    6. Sports & Recreation    7. Track & Field    8. Training    9. Fitness training    10. Sports & Recreation / Running & Jogging    11. Track & field sports, athletics   

Reviews (49)

Great book for beggining marathoners!
This book makes it easy for a runner who wants to jump to the marathon level.It gives you a step by step training guide along with nutrtional tips as well.

too short.
I am training for my first marathon and thought this book would be a good resource. It's got some good motivational stuff, but the book is just about basics; I didn't feel it had any "meat" so to speak. You can read it cover to cover in an hour or so, and I didn't come away with anymore information than I could find on marathon websites. Save your ten bucks and do the research on the net, buy a different book, or even better - join a marathon training group headed by a veteran marathoner.BTW, I did pick up Nancy Clark's marathon nutrition book - that is a great resource.

easy training guide!
I went from a 4:40 marathon to a 4:24 marathon (2nd marathon).Not bad!I'm using this training plan again and going for 4:15.I like this book because it cuts to the chase, it's easy to read and just gives the basics.There are training plans for longer times than 4 hours as well. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Athletic Training And Conditioning    2. Marathon running    3. Running    4. Running & Jogging    5. Sports    6. Sports & Recreation    7. Track & Field    8. Training    9. Fitness training    10. Sports & Recreation / Running & Jogging   

Subjects:  1. Marathon running    2. Running    3. Running & Jogging    4. Sports    5. Sports & Recreation    6. Track & Field    7. Training    8. Track & field sports, athletics   

Reviews (10)

Great Book!
I thought this book was great!If you are thinking about training or starting to train, you definitely need to read this book.They give great advice and give you the confidence to do things you never thought you could.

Informative and inspirational
I love this book!After completing many marathons, I received this book as a gift, and it made me want to go right out and do another.As a coach for endurance athletes, I give this book to each of them during their training for marathons/half marathons.Full of good information for the first timer and inspiration for the multi-race finisher.

Very inspiring
This is a great book for anyone thinking of training for a long distance event. I ordered this as an extra copy for another first time race participant. It is very easy reading and lots of laughs. It is the bible of our walking group. Last year 6 of us completed our first ever half marathon at Disney. This year we'll have over 10 with some doing their first marathon. It truely helps the average Joe believe he can complete a long distance event. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. General    2. Marathon running    3. Running & Jogging    4. Sports    5. Sports & Recreation    6. Training    7. Walking   

Reviews (19)

Good info for marathon newbie
Learned a lot of new things about the marathon and strategies for completing it.With my first marathon coming up in a few months, I ordered several books.I definitely would recommend this one to others getting ready for their first.

Great book, lots of realistic advice for novices and intermediate runners
Picked up this book after running my first half-marathon and getting ready for my first marathon. It was great because it puts your fears at ease and doesn't talk down to the slower runner (I'm a 4-hour marathon runner).Good training charts.
Then Ultimate Un-Motivating Guide
I bought this book to prepare for running my third marathon and found it to be extremely confusing, condescending and un-motivating. I have been running for years and have run many races somehow this book still managed to make me fill as if I was not worthy of running. There are great marathon training guides out there but this is not one of them. If you are looking for something that is clear and inspirational try checking out The Non-Runner's Marathon Trainer. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Marathon running    2. Running & Jogging    3. Sports    4. Sports & Recreation    5. Training    6. Fitness training    7. Track & field sports, athletics   

Reviews (17)

Must read if you want to improve
This is an excellent book for anyone who has already run a marathon and is looking to improve their time. I'm not the fastest runner out there but this book was instrumental in helping me qualify for my first Boston. I have since run 3 Bostons and am able to consistently run 3:20 or so whereas before this book I was struggling for a 3:40. I am about to run Marathon #8 and I continue to use this book as a reference. The schedules are excellent, easy to follow, and broken down by peak mileage and the number of weeks you wish to commit to training. Whether you are looking for a sub 4 or a sub 2:30, there is helpful advice and a training schedule in here for you. Now all you need to do is RUN!

A great guide for serious training
This book was recommended to me by a training partner, and it is well worth the investment.If you are a seasoned marathoner, its got some great information that will undoubtedly help.Whether you follow the schedule to the letter, or use it as a loose guide, you will benefit.I ran my best marathon in 3 years just by taking one simple piece of advice (start your first mile about 30 seconds off your target pace for warmup)

One Of The Best Books For Fast Marathoners!
This one ranks up there with Daniel's Running Formula as one of my top two running books of all time, I would actually reccomend buying both together as they complement each other very well.
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Subjects:  1. General    2. Marathon running    3. Running    4. Running & Jogging    5. Sports    6. Sports & Recreation    7. Track & Field    8. Training    9. Sports training & coaching    10. Track & field sports, athletics   

Reviews (6)

great rudimentary read
Marathon for Dummies is an excellent way to acquire a holistic understanding about what to expect/prepare for when running your first marathon. I highly recommend it for beginner marathoners.

Has some good info but also some dubious advice
I've run one marathon and am training for my 2nd so I'm not a veteran by any means.
Tere Stouffer Drenth knows her stuff
What is Reader from Eastern US talking about? Tere Stouffer Drenth is a 3:06 marathoner, a time she won't brag about but she's a 37-year-old woman, so it puts her in a really elite category. This book has been reviewed by numerous running experts and it does not contain ANY misinformation that could lead to an injury. The fact is Tere did exhaustive research for this book (and tried everything on herself first), so it covers the latest trends in marathon training not outdated information from 10, 20 or 30 years ago.Read more

Subjects:  1. Marathon running    2. Running    3. Running & Jogging    4. Sports    5. Sports & Recreation    6. Training    7. Jogging    8. Sports & Recreation / Running & Jogging    9. Track & field sports, athletics   

Reviews (1)

Exciting tribute to a great female runner
Detailed, personal look at Joan Benoit at her peak... she isinspirational, a heroine in the running world! The book is hard to put down. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography/Autobiography    3. General    4. Marathon running    5. Runners (Sports)    6. Running    7. Samuelson, Joan Benoit    8. Sports & Recreation    9. United States    10. Women athletes    11. Non-Classifiable   

Reviews (6)

Great Training Schedules
I've been looking for charts to help me with mileage and training for various races and this one has a ton to choose from.I'm training for my first marathon using his Novice marathon guide and it has been great.Finally, some concrete schedules to use for any distance!

An excellent compendium of training ideas
I am quite surprised by the negative reviews of this book.I have found it helpful for training for races ranging in length from 10 to 50 kilometers.Skim it, read it, study it, but at the least you'll never have to buy another series of training charts.

Not worth it, try again
I have purchased many of Hal's books and this is the only one I have ever been disappointed in. Not at all worth owning, the contents of this book is mainly training charts. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Diet / Health / Fitness    2. General    3. Health/Fitness    4. Marathon running    5. Physical fitness    6. Running    7. Running & Jogging    8. Sports & Recreation    9. Track & Field    10. Training    11. Fitness training    12. Track & field sports, athletics   

Reviews (4)

Some good advice but overall of limited usefulness
I bought this because used it cost 1 cent plus shipping!There is some useful advice about the race, but some of the training advice is not up to date.For example, he talks about the importance of drinking water, with no mention of the risks of hypnotremia.You will notice that the last review was over 3 years ago.A lot has been learned in that time...
Not only a running book but......
Found it a great guide for a runner in New York City - eateries, places, info - Very helpful, and the running advice is awesome.Many pages of training ideas/tips from famous runners.
Refreshing surprise
Pulled this book off the shelf expecting another book with scant info BUT I was spellbound at once!It had everything from schedules to advice from all the names I had seen run the damn thing.Read more

Subjects:  1. Exercise    2. Health & Fitness    3. Health/Fitness    4. Marathon running    5. New York City Marathon    6. Running & Jogging    7. Sports & Recreation    8. Training    9. Health & Fitness / General   

Reviews (2)

Useful Preparation Guide in Preparing for Running a Marathon
Richard Benyo is an experienced marathon runner and ultra marathon runner.His writing style is easy to follow and very helpful.He talks of the pitfalls of bad exercise habits and talks about nearly every imaginable aspect related to running a marathon.I say "nearly" only because I have yet to have a question that his book hasn't answered.
Excellent help for my first marathon
I was never a runner but I wanted to run a marathon so a friend recommended this book.It is an excellent "how-to" manual and I followed it word-for-word.Benyo gives advice from day one through the actual races (mile by mile) and post race recovery.I hope this book makes it back into print because it is an excellent guide to running a first marathon. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Marathon running    2. Running    3. Running & Jogging    4. Sports    5. Sports & Recreation    6. Track & Field    7. Training    8. Sports & Recreation / General   

Reviews (13)

Contemplating running a marathon as a lifetime achievement?
I bought this book for me and my sister-in-law in 2003 when she and I decided to run the Boston Marathon for the first time. Yes, we were bandits as were around 5000 others who wanted to experience running a marathon in the premier marathon of them all. Because most bandits are not hardcore runners, it's a lifetime achievement that brings a level of pride and emotion that most people rarely experience in their lifetime.
Warning: False Advertising, Insulting -- You'll Feel Cheated
The author ran the race as a "bandit", a fact that you don't discover until you buy the book (it is not stated anywhere on the book cover, reviews, etc.)In fact, Amazon states: "About the Author ...MICHAEL CONNELLY competed in the 1996 Boston marathon."This is simply a false statement.Legitimately qualifying for Boston is an integral part of competing, and the author did not do that.He did not "compete" in the Boston marathon any more than I "competed" in the U.S. Open by playing golf as a tourist at Pebble Beach (a frequent U.S. Open site).This taints the entire book and made me (as someone who has legitimately qualified for Boston) feel cheated (I am going to request a refund from Amazon on the basis of false advertising).
Runners Rejoice!
Never has a book captured the essence of not only running Boston, but mararthoning as 26 Miles to Boston has.The author's account of his run humanizes the event - and puts a face on the Boston Marathon like never before.In my mind any concerns with the runner's running status (non-qualified) are put to rest by the fact that the three greatest runners ever to run the Boston Marathon support the book with personal endorsements in the form of forewords.Also the Boston Athletic Association lends their own quote to the cover of the book further endorsing the author's account of the Boston Marathon.In my mind the Boston Marathon is the greatest race in the world. People come from all over the world to run in this event - some are qualified some are not.What makes it special is the fact that all are provided the opportunity to compete in the "Open" event.The Boston Marathon is not just for "elite" runners, but runners of all levels, nationalities and backgrounds.I love the way 26 Miles to Boston captured the special qualities of the race and intertwined the author's account and the champions' accounts of the race.I would recommend this book to all runners, marathoners and fans of the Boston Marathon, the elite and non-elite alike. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Boston    2. Boston Marathon    3. Marathon running    4. Massachusetts    5. Running & Jogging    6. Sports    7. Sports & Recreation    8. Track & Field    9. Cross-country running    10. Sporting events & tours    11. Sports & Recreation / Running & Jogging   

Reviews (8)

Inspiring
To me this book was not so much about losing weight, grieving and running as about setting goals and doing your best to reach them even when it's hard.It's also about making time for yourself, prioritizing, having a postive self image, and just doing the best that you can.I enjoyed the book all except after she lost 50 pounds, it stopped telling the story and started talking for a long time about random stories of how she felt when people looked at her, etc.It seemed out of place and too long but that may be because I don't have those kind of feelings.I'm sure a lot of other people would relate to the stories.Over all it's very good and inspiring and I would recommend it to any woman even if they weren't struggling with weight.

Running With Angels:The Inspiring Jouney of a Women Who Turned Personal Tragedy into Triumph Over Obesity.
This was a wonderful book.I could'nt put it down.

very nice book
I read the book that Pamela Hansen has written, Running with Angels,and I thought that it was a very beautiful book. We are in a book club at our church and we read it for that. I felt it pull my heartstrings because I am a very obese person myself. I have started walking with my children. They are still young, so they can go a long way. I do struggle everyday, just like Pam did. It was a lovely book, I suggest it a must to read to anyone. 5 stars! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Affirmations    2. Biography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. General    5. Marathon running    6. Overweight women    7. Self-Help    8. United States    9. Women runners   

Reviews (3)

An excellent guide for beginners and experienced runners
I have read this book over and over during marathon training and post training recovery.It has given me a lot of insight from many experienced trainers.This is the best book I have found for beginning runners (I amnow on to my 5th marathon) both short and long distance.There is not onechapter that did not provide helpful information.

A very efficient training guide
I bought this book to prepare my first marathon. (Indianapolis, 1997). I had a real pleasure reading it. The author covers all the aspect of marathon: History, training, personal advices, and many examples. He givesyou very efficient guide lines in order not to get injured and to reallyenjoy running. I red it few times, trying to study it. I still read part ofit to check informations. What I like a lot compared to the other books Ired is the clarity of the text. It's organised to be as simple as possibleand to really fit your needs. The author has also a good sense of humor.It's a great book, efficient, serious, easy to read, and fun!

Guides without Guidelines
The Marathon Guide of Hal Higdon misses what many books miss when trying to reach as many potential readers as possible: Focus. The book promises to suit everyone's needs, first time marathoners as well as experienced marathoners. Even though the book starts with chapters written especially for three different levels of marathon performance, the book looses this concentration in the following twelve chapters. The author mixes content for experienced runners with content for beginners. A confusing and weakly structured work is the consequence. Undoubtedly, the author is an experienced runner and coach. But this disposition leads more to a description on "how I did it" than to suggestions how runners should behave to train for and run a Marathon. You could expect more from a "ultimate training and racing guide". ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Marathon running    2. Running    3. Running & Jogging    4. Sports    5. Sports & Recreation    6. Track & Field    7. Training   

Editorial Review

So you've run the New York, Boston, Chicago, and San Francisco marathons. Now what? Or maybe you're a first-time marathoner with certain prerequisites, such as beautiful scenery, mild temperatures, uplifting crowds, and a fast course. Read more

Reviews (9)

Great for 1998
This was a very useful book when I bought it in 1999 to pick a marathon for 2000.Now, given how many marathons have changed their routes, increased their support, cancelled, etc., it's become outdated.I don't think there's a new edition out yet--I wish there was.

excellent guide, just a little out of date
"The Ultimate Guide to Marathons" is an excellent marathon resource for runners.This second edition was published in 1998 with information current up through 2000.A runner using this book as a guide needs to know that in five years a lot can change for a given marathon.A good example of this is the poorly managed Lakeshore Marathon in Chicago which recently had an issue of the course being measured incorrectly and being a mile too long.Information like this would be critical in any new edition of "The Ultimate Guide to Marathons".However, if you are able to accept this potential shortcoming of slightly out of date information and use this book as exactly what the title says, a "guide", then any runner can find a lot of value in this book.
Good Reference - Needs Updating
I found the book to be a good reference, but I wish I had a later revision. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Marathon running    2. Running & Jogging    3. Sports    4. Sports & Recreation    5. Track & Field   

Reviews (1)

A great, interesting read, that is poignant too...
I was initially given this book as a gift, knew nothing about it, but loved it.It's a great, well put together coffee table book, about an inspiring Canadian role model.As a Canadian export living in the States, it made me nostalgic for Terry Fox Runs from the past :).Highly recommended. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Canada    6. Cancer    7. Diseases - Cancer    8. Marathon running    9. Medical - General    10. Patients    11. Runners (Sports)    12. Running & Jogging    13. Biography & Autobiography / Sports    14. Biography: general   

Reviews (3)

where's the beef
I've been running for 35 years and coaching for many so I expected to pick up a book that would give some insight into a young runner's mind or some biomechanical needs of a young runner. The book is a cursory view of coaching and training. It's fine if you are just starting out with no background. But where's the meat and potatoes?

Very helpful and informative, a good reference manual.
I am a Cross Country Coach for Lakeshore Middle School in Stevensville, MIand am building a program.I found the "Training for Young DistanceRunners" book to be very helpful.I have found the section onPsychology right on target.I have a son that runs High School CrossCountry who runs year around and after a successful summer road racingseason started the Cross Country Season doing very poorly.Using thePsychology section helped me get him back on track.The Nutrition sectionhas also been helpful for some of my runners.I give the book a two thumbsup. good guide
I liked how this booked emphasized how important mental training should be integrated into a good, solid training prog. The scientific aspect is easy to understand though not nearly as thorough or complex as Martin and Coe's book. The training is very conservative, but the strength training advice was very helpful. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Marathon running    2. Running & Jogging    3. Running for children    4. Sports    5. Sports & Recreation    6. Track & Field    7. Training    8. Fitness training    9. Track & field sports, athletics   

Reviews (1)

Pretty good book but not quite a Jeff Galloway
I think this is a very nice book but perhaps not as "entertainingly" written as the Jeff Galloway running books ("Marathon-You Can Do It" and "Half-Marathon-You Can Do It") that I've also read. The author even quotes Galloway in a couple of places.
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Subjects:  1. Marathon running    2. Running    3. Running & Jogging    4. Sports    5. Sports & Recreation    6. Sports Medicine    7. Track & Field    8. Training    9. Sports & Recreation / Running & Jogging   

Reviews (23)

Too simplistic..
Don't waste your time on this book, even for 1st timers this stuff is old and out of date.Get Jeff Galloway's Marathon instead.

Good for beginners
This is a good option if you are plannig to run your firs marathon.I follow it on my trainnig for New York marathon wich I spent 4 hours 6 minutes.

Fabulous book for marathoners!
This was the only book i had for my first marathon. i read it at least 20 times. i found her down to earth attitude refreashing. hey, anyone who encourages you to eat pizza is fabulous. the most helpful part for me was the lengthy sections on h ow to prepare for the marathon, a week before, a day before, day of, etc. not only was it my frist marathon, it was my first race (not smart).I felt very prepared and have recommended this book to many many people. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Marathon running    2. Running    3. Running & Jogging    4. Sports    5. Sports & Recreation    6. Track & Field    7. Training    8. Sports & Recreation / Running & Jogging    9. Track & field sports, athletics   

Editorial Review

There's probably no more democratic image in sports than the sight of thousands of athletes and dreamers lined up in places like New York or Boston or Los Angeles or wherever they're about to test themselves against, in the end, themselves over 26 miles of running hell. The only thing the marathon discriminates against is the unprepared: age, sex, nationality, race, even physical disability all peel away when the mix of athletes, from the elite Olympian to the neighbor next door, responds to the report of the starter's pistol. This smart, agreeable compilation of oral histories recalls the first encounters of 37 marathoners, and the stories they tell are marvelous, inspiring, despairing, filled with hope, and wracked with aches and pain. The great Bill Rogers remembers not finishing his first attack of the Boston, and the equally great Greta Weitz recounts what it was like to smash the record in New York her first time out. But it is the voice of the common runner--some nationally famous, like writer Erich Segal, others only known to their loved ones--that consistently gives Read more

Reviews (18)

Awesome Read
My running buddy told me about this book.We are both running our first marathons this year.This book made me laugh and cry and yet continued that "fear of the unknown" for my first marathon.The short narratives made it an easy read and a quick one, too.

Interesting reading, but gets monotonous
Interesting book for the first time reader.Not something that you will pick up and read over and over.As you get through several stories they actually get a little monotonous but it is still an interesting read.If you don't have to spend the money and can get it at the library, I would recommend that first. Almost makes me want to try it!
I can only read one story every few days or else I start entertaining thoughts of running a marathon! Read one story at night before bed and you're sure to get up and run in the morning. It reminds you of all the good things about running- clearing your head, planning your day, getting away. It temps you with the pride and success you feel when you've accomplished something great- a marathon a hill or a problem in life. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography/Autobiography    3. Marathon running    4. Running & Jogging    5. Sports & Recreation    6. Sports - General    7. Biography & Autobiography / General