Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Ethnic Cultures - Native Americans    6. Marathon running    7. Runners (Sports)    8. Running & Jogging    9. Sports - General    10. Track & Field    11. United States    12. Biography: sport    13. Track & field sports, athletics   

Reviews (6)

Great Running Book
This is my favorite running book by far.Alberto Salazar is obviously trying to convey the best information he can to the reader and he does a great job.The book is weak in the area of training schedules but strong on virtually everything else.Most of the book has been useful to me on a daily basis.The only real complaint I have is that the author, like many of the older elite runners , does not personally do as much stretching as he recommends for the reader, does not use a heart rate monitor, etc.But he, as a coach, recommends it to other runners while not having a whole lot of personal experience and it shows.I use both so sometimes I read between the lines.He also does not understand cycling and its effect on the runner.A not uncommon malady among runners.

Great Resource
I'm a novice runner wanting to take it to the next level and needed some advise and inspiration.I found that I was doing several things wrong and I have made major improvements in my running since buying the book.I now have a plan of action for continued improvement, and this book can take me there and beyond. Great resource book for all road runners:beginners & elite
Since Alberto Salazar was a former world-class runner Read more

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

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

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Nonfiction    2. Children: Grades 1-2    3. History    4. History - Ancient    5. Juvenile Folk Tales / Mythology / Fables    6. Juvenile Nonfiction    7. Juvenile literature    8. Marathon running    9. Marathon, Battle of, Greece, 490 B.C    10. Marathon, Battle of, Greece, 490 B.C.    11. Sports & Recreation - Soccer    12. Sports & Recreation - Track & Field   

Subjects:  1. Boston    2. Boston Marathon    3. Essays    4. Marathon running    5. Massachusetts    6. Running & Jogging    7. Sports    8. Sports & Recreation    9. Track & Field   

Reviews (15)

Platitudes and Biology
I love running and I love books about running. I have degrees in the sciences and am a self-confessed nerd, having read about fifty books on training how to run. Of all of these, I found *Better Training for Distance Runners* to be the most frustrating.
Incomprehensible
Gibberish disguised as science. Get Noakes' Lore of Running if you want sensible speculation based on science.

Excellent despite its flaws
This book is tailored toward a small group of people, namely very serious competitive runners who plan to manage a successful running career. It is not for the weekend warrior who runs to lose weight, someone trying to run their first marathon, or attention deficit high school students who get discouraged because of the vast scientific knowledge contained in this book. It is a thoroughly researched, brilliantly done, scientifically based work that is probably the most complete book on competitive running ever compiled. I especially loved the fact of the 800m race being included in the strategy section, as a serious 800/1600m athlete is often left without advice on how to run the half, one of the most challenging yet neglected distance events. If you are serious, OR if you are mainly a 800m and 1600m runner as I am, then buy this book, otherwise purchase the Daniels Running Formula, the other `best' running book ever written. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Marathon running    2. Running    3. Running & Jogging    4. Running races    5. Sports    6. Sports & Recreation    7. Track & Field    8. Training    9. Cross-country running    10. Fitness training   

Reviews (5)

Great Log With Great Charts and Info
My husband and I have been using this log for nine years.Two new logs are our annual new year's present to each other.One year he tried a different one, another year I tried a different one, but we both find this log to have the best format, charts, extra info, etc.If you don't keep a log, try it.You'll be amazed at how helpful and interesting it is to have a diary of your runs.

Best training diary on the market
I'm now placing my order for my sixth consecutive yearly training diary. It's easy to use, attractively designed and there's plenty of room for recording your daily runs. I use all the charts in the back: the week-by-week mileage chart, the training mileage graph, record of races, pr chart. The pacing charts and race time comparison and predictor charts are indispensable (yes, you can find this info on the web, but it's great to have right here in the book for when you are traveling). Finally!
Finally, a logbook that has charts for the slower runners of this world! Somebody finally realizes that not everybody runs a 9:00 minute mile!Thank you! ... Read more

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

Editorial Review

Exercise trends come and go, and one of the ones that went in the late 1990s was the idea of exercising slowly to burn more fat. The theory was well rooted in exercise science--you burn a higher percentage of fat while exercising slowly and a higher percentage of carbohydrate as you speed up--but not very practical for most people. If you're only going to exercise for a half-hour a day, you burn a lot more calories by going fast than slow, regardless of how many of those calories come from fat.Read more

Reviews (22)

Running Can Be Fun for Anyone!
A friend of mine got me Stu's book because he had seen him speak at an event.He passed it along to me with a grunt and said something like, "you like running, right?"
Change your Focus and you will Dramatically Change your Life - Your Health, your Appearance and your Mind

good for some
I've tried, Lord knows, but this is just not for me, (and I've since done quite well, witha 'faster' protocol). The real problem, isn't anything practical,(the style may suit many people); it's Stu's physiology, which is simply made up by Stu. You don't switch to fat-burning the way he describes, (by going slow, and permantly 'becoming' a 'fat-burner'),but rather onlyafter all glycogen has been used; a process that must occureach and every workout,and takes -hours- of running,(yes, each time). In fact, the highest percentage of fat is used as a fuel while -sleeping-. From then on it's alla ramping up of sugar-power. As far as one's best use of time, be aware that the -percentage- of fat burning, and the -amount- of fat burning are two very different things: If you burn more calories-per-minute in a higher intensity exercise, the lower percentage of fat used will still be a greater absolute amount of fat. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Consumer Health    2. Diet / Health / Fitness    3. Diets - Better Health    4. Exercise    5. Health & Fitness    6. Health/Fitness    7. Marathon running    8. Nutrition    9. Physical Fitness    10. Running    11. Self-actualization (Psychology    12. Self-actualization (Psychology)    13. Self-realization    14. Fitness & diet    15. Health & Fitness / Nutrition   

Subjects:  1. Health & Fitness    2. Health/Fitness    3. Marathon running    4. Running & Jogging    5. Running for women    6. Sports & Recreation    7. Training    8. Women's Health - General    9. Health & Fitness / Women's Health   

Reviews (1)

Good, easy read, can't be the only one though
This book was good in the sense it was easy to read, and offered good advice. The perspective of the elite athlete (The author) was interesting and enlightening.The training plans are detailed and the book is quick and easy to read. I wouldn't recommend this be the only book you read to prepare for a marathon, but it is a good compliment to other books while your training, to help keep you focused. ... Read more

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

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

Reviews (3)

Don't bother
I haven't found this book very useful as a training aid. There is certainly some useful information here, but the presentation leaves a lot to be desired. Sandrock seems to be more fond of name-dropping than discussing the pros and cons of various training strategies. For instance, should long runs be done at a slow pace (� la Joe "LSD" Henderson), or at a medium/hard pace (Lydiard)? This, and other interesting topics are barely discussed.
ready to get serious?
I agree, this book is for serious runners, or runners who are ready to get serious. You are not going to improve that PR by doing the same old thing. I am going to integrate these workout's in to my plan. Sandrock states in his book to build a base first,and be true to your self. None of us is Shorter, or Salazar, adapt it for you.

For serious runners
Mike Sandrock follows up his previous chronicles of stud runners with this well done book. Competitive runners will enjoy the chance to see what others profess to doing for their hard sessions. I thought the book gave me good ideas for new workouts to incorporate in my training (although at a slower pace of course.) ... Read more

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

Reviews (3)

Change Your Shoes!
My sister ran her first marathon a few years ago and has been trying ever since to get me out of the house and into the gym.Nothing really worked until she handed me this book.I was expecting a beginner's step-by-step guide to training for a marathon.The book does provide very detailed information about how to start training, how to outfit yourself from head to toe, and even includes a week-by-week training guide.What I didn't expect was the personal stories that accompanied the training information. Not only do the authors share their own reasons for running their first marathon, they talk to several other women who relate their personal stories and explain why they felt compelled to take on such anenormous challenge.
Great Guide
My wife recently decided she wanted to tackle a marathon although she had never run a race of over 10K before in her life. I did some research on the internet and purchased a couple of books for her that focused on women and marathon preparation.My wife liked this book most because it was written from the perspective of two "non-athletes" who, much like her, wanted to take on this challenge but weren't sure where to start.
WOW!
Incredible!I attended a book signing for Everywomen's Guide on Jekyll Island in July.The authors are just as beautiful as the stories themselves.Talk about inspiring!I was at the book signing for three hours just listening to stories from the book.I wasn't able to purchase a book myself (they had all sold out by the time I got there!!!), so Ms. Vilines read a few excerpts for me and my family.Motivating and inspirational!5 stars from me. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Exercise    2. Exercise For Women    3. Marathon running    4. Running    5. Running & Jogging    6. Sports    7. Sports & Recreation    8. Training    9. Women runners    10. Non-Classifiable   

Reviews (3)

The Silence of Great Distance
This book has two levels to it, the first being a historical review of the sport of women's distance running.The real gold here is however what insight is revealed in following the career of Stephanie Herbst during her career at the University of Wisconsin.The dedication and motivation of Ms Herbst and others like her and the dangers of both external and internally generated pressure to perform are an eye opener.The last few chapters especially are extremely powerful.

An indispensible history
Professor Murphy has created the rarest of works, an unlikely combination of literary nonfiction and sports history. I know of no other work on women's sport, particularly running, that offers such depth and breadth. A must for anyone interested in running, the history of women in athletics, and the Title IX era.

Murphy Doesn't Miss a Thing
Frank Murphy does not miss a thing in this book on women long distance runners.I myself am one and not only did he accurately portray the stresses a female runner puts on herself and has forced on her by others and the sport itself but he also provided factual and intriguing statistics about such legends as Mary Decker, Doris Brown, and Suzy Favor Hamilton.I could not put this book down.This true story desperately needed to be told, and no one could have done it better or more completely. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Marathon running    2. Running & Jogging    3. Sports    4. Sports & Recreation    5. Women runners   

Subjects:  1. Children: Grades 4-6    2. Juvenile literature    3. Marathon running    4. Running   

Reviews (1)

A good book for a Bill Rodgers fan
This book is a combination of biography and running advice that was enjoyable for a Bill Rodgers fan like myself to read. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1947-    2. Biography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. General    5. Marathon running    6. Rodgers, Bill,    7. Runners (Sports)    8. Running    9. Sports    10. Track athletics    11. United States    12. Rodgers, Bill   

Reviews (3)

Great book for first-timers
I used this book in preparation for the 2001 Detroit Marathon. The book guides you through the steps required in order to finish your first marathon. I felt confident throughout my training that I was preparing safely based on the material covered. I kept referring to the book at various points throughout the training period. The recommended training program works. I finished in 3:57 (chip) and am now looking for a program to improve my time.

a good book for someone new to running
If you are new to running and your goal is finishing a marathon, this book is your choice. Like the name says, it gives you the essential information you need to know to train for a marathon and to finish one. It doesn'tcover anything more than you need to know, so if you are not interested inreading that many books and just want to finish the marathon, this is thebook for you.

The title says it all.
Gives all the secrets needed to run your first marathon. Includes anecdotal evidence to support the information given. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Marathon running    2. Running & Jogging    3. Sports    4. Sports & Recreation    5. Training    6. Cross-country running    7. Sports & Recreation / Running & Jogging   

Reviews (4)

Easy to read, ample information for a beginner
I have been following 2 of the 6 training programmes in this book.The Level 1 programme is ideal for novices who are looking to get into running.Following the Level 2 programme I ran a 5k race within 6 weeks of starting training and was surprised at how well I did.After a one year hiatus from running due to an unrelated injury, I am looking forward to entering my 2nd 5k race in a few weeks. If you follow the training programmes in this book you will get excellent results.
You may run longer than it takes to read this book
I agree with the previous reviewers. This is a good book for us newbies. I learned about shoes, diet, and, most important, got a nice overview of a program to help me begin running and perhaps work towards loftier goals.I think it only took me an hour or so to get through this yet the example running plans to me are what I'll remember the most.
Good Book
I liked the training plans on this book. Personally, tables are easier to skim through than text or anecdotes. Plus it's a thin book and easy to carry around. Daniel's Book had a lot of stuff that overwhelmed me. This is truly a good beginner's guide because unlike other beginner books that just go on and on about how to choose the right shoe or what to wear or how life changing running can be...it gives you training tables. Something I'd like to know after I finally have the shoes. Unlike more advanced books...it doesn't talk about Lactate Tresholds, or give me instructions like run at 10K pace, VO2 Max. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Handbooks, manuals, etc    2. Marathon running    3. Running    4. Running & Jogging    5. Sports    6. Sports & Recreation    7. Track & Field    8. Training    9. Sports & Recreation / Running & Jogging    10. Track & field sports, athletics   

Reviews (2)

Great Book for Runners
If you are a runner (especially a marathoner) you have to get this book.It goes through every marathon in Olympic history, giving each race history, events, course, statistics, etc.It is very thorough, while pacing itself to get in all the Olympic marathons into a single volume.And, it was written in an interesting and readable manner. Fantastic, encyclopedic, and detailed historical review.
The authors, Martin and Gynn, have put together an unbelieveably detailed review of every Olympic Marathon in the modern era.The detail provided brings the excitement of each successive Marathon alive.The Olympic Marathon is, perhaps, the most grueling Olympic event, and the comprehensive coverage of each race makes the reader feel as if it's taking place before their very eyes.Read this book and you'll get a sense of the drama of the event, the personal history of the runners, and the historical setting of each race.The authors have even reconstructed old Olympic documents to trace the paths each Olympic Marathon took.The information in this book is truly encyclopedic, and the authors have given us with a wonderful sense of what this race is about.This book is a gem. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. General    2. History    3. Marathon running    4. Olympic Games    5. Olympics    6. Running    7. Running & Jogging    8. Sports    9. Sports & Recreation    10. Track & Field    11. Track & field sports, athletics   

Reviews (5)

Sound advise
I have read and used Hendersons marathon training program with some success ( 3.06 in 1992 ). The first long run is not 14 miles but instead it is assumed that you have run a half marathon and have trained and adapted to running 12 miles prior to starting this program. The program is simple, yet it works. The book itself is vintage Henderson, a great read.

This is not a training book
This book will not give you ideas on how to train for a marathon. Unless you are ready to run 12-14 miles this Saturday for your first long run it is not for you. The training guide show a 12-14 mile Saturday run the first week. Great advice for the beginners Joe. I have successfully run three marathons following this book
...and I am working on my fourth.I find the journal format to be very helpful, as well as the weekly workout assignments, articles, tips and recommendations.The three different training plans make this workable for different levels ofrunners.Although this book might not be ideal for an absolute beginner, it is a good one for the average runner who wants a simple, realistic way to prepare for a marathon without having to turn his or her life over to training. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. General    2. Marathon running    3. Running    4. Running & Jogging    5. Sports    6. Sports & Recreation    7. Track & Field    8. Training    9. Cross-country running