Editorial Review

Fueled by a passion for running dogs, Gary Paulsen entered the Iditarod--the 1150-mile winter sled-dog race between Anchorage and Nome-- in dangerous ignorance and with a fierce determination.Read more

Reviews (123)

Funny, entertaining, a great read!
As a big Paulson fan this book was a great read. Gary provides an insight into the iditarod that only Gary can do. You will feel the cold, share his pain and truley feel you are running the race with him. Gary's love of his dogs and nature come through in this book. Anyone who wants an entertraining lesson on the iditarod, must read this book.

Laughing all the way
My husband read this book first. He constantly interrupted whatever I was doing to read it aloud because he was enjoying it so much. Finally, so that he would leave me alone, I agreed to read a chapter.All I can say is that a book has never made me laugh out loud like this one did.We both laughed until tears were running down our cheeks! I am so glad that my husband has never had any inclination to run the Iditarod like Paulsen did. I'm sure that if he had, the results would have been as hilarious as Paulsen's experiences.It's funny enough just to see my husband pack up to go duck hunting with our two Labs.As he drives off with the dogs disagreeing about who will get to sit up front, I am always reminded of the Three Stooges, but instead of Larry, Curly, and Moe, it's Stan, Daisy, and Buddy.

Laugh until you cry
This is a book for all ages.If my husband, who normally doesn't read anything but business material,can laugh until he cries you have to believe it is funny.I actually bought a second copy because my first had been around so much it was falling apart! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alaska    2. Biography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. General    5. Iditarod (Race)    6. Mushers    7. Paulsen, Gary    8. Running & Jogging    9. Sport Riding And Racing    10. Sports & Recreation    11. Winter Sports    12. Biography & Autobiography / General    13. Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race,   

Reviews (11)

All Runners Should Own This Book!
I bought a used copy on Amazon Marketplace and it was the best three bucks I ever spent!Entertaining, informative and inspiring, it profiles fifty of the greatest runners in short but amazingly detailed and well structured chapters...complete with racing states, biographical info, training plan and memorable quotes.There is something for every runner in the book...I came away with many interesting ideas and memorable words of encouragement.
Excellent Look at Best US Distance Runners: Bio/Workouts
This book surpassed my expecations because it not only masses the best all time U.S. distance runners of both sexes but Bloom does not just give you the workouts but includes compact and effective biographies on each runner that I found the most interesting of all. The fact that Frank Shorter was fair runner in his private HS years but later won the NCAA 10,000 meters is quite amazing and of course so are his marathon medals as well. Bill Rogers virtually borrow gear to get appropriately outfitted for a race (Pre sent hima pair of shoes he still has) and then runs his first 2:09 while stopping to tie his shoe (Bloom didn't mention that Rogers often stopped to drink water). Everyone remembers Jim Ryun but what about Billy Mills the great cinderella story gold medalist of the 64 Olymmpics and asthmatic Bob Schull who also wins in 64 in the 5000. Well both are covered extremely well and Schul wonders like Bloom where the top runners are of today (soccer suggests Bloom).Great personal nuggets of information plus a bit of where are they now in four pages on each athlete. The women are well represented with Doris Brown, the great miler and 800 runner Jan Merrill, Francie Laraeu, Pattie Catalano (2:27 marathon), Joan Bennoit and Mary Slaney. What's great about this book is that Bloom gives you a career look in the few pages he has on each athelete with their PR's and dates and locations along with their greatest acheivements, times, records and victories and touches of ther personal life (Schul's wife was his workout timer). For example both Slaney and Laraeu were well known milers and 1500 specialists but late in their careers both Francie Laraeu and Mary Decker Slaney ran excellent 10ks both qualifying for the Olympics late in their careers. Listed at the end of each chapter is a week out of one of their workouts during their peak period such as Frank Shorter doing intervals on the track with only 50 yards of rest just before the Olympics. Bill Rogers running almost 30 miles a day for over 200 miles a week. Mary Slaney and her impressive track workouts and Pre running 30 second 220s with a 40 second 220 (jog?) for two miles at an overall 9:20 pace. The book also includes recent stars like Bob Kennedy, Suzie Hamilton and Regina Jacobs (now shrouded in controversy).
a decent introduction
If you don't know much about the history of American distance running, this book will give you a good introduction.Each runner profiled gets only 3 pages, though.Of course the result is that the book is super-formulaic and gets boring after a while.
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Subjects:  1. Rating    2. Rating of    3. Runners (Sports)    4. Running    5. Running & Jogging    6. Sports    7. Sports & Recreation    8. Training    9. United States    10. Sports & Recreation / Running & Jogging   

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   

Subjects:  1. Running    2. Running & Jogging    3. Sports    4. Sports & Recreation    5. Cross-country running    6. Track & field sports, athletics   

Reviews (7)

Readable, informative
If you are a fan of adventure racing (AR), the author's reputation is quite familiar to you.Adamson is among the very best adventure racers in the world, with loads of big race experience.
Expert job
This book is a expert job by a man who knows his trade!Is a must to anyone interested in this subject.

An Adventuring Racing Classic
Whether you're a veteran or a rookie just starting out in adventure racing, this is one book you should never miss in your collection. This is a classic reference written in clear and understandable language by adventure racing's Michael Jordan.Each page contains a veritable treasure of information, from training, to equipment selection, to navigation and sleep management, culled from years of racing across the world in diverse terrains and climates.If there was only one book you can buy to learn about the history and discipline of adventure racing ---this is it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Adventure racing    2. General    3. Running & Jogging    4. Sport Riding And Racing    5. Sports    6. Sports & Recreation    7. Sports And Games    8. Active outdoor pursuits    9. Sports & Recreation / General   

Reviews (1)

Keep on reading
I was always mystified why my body would refuse to work properly after running 20 miles. At first I thought that I was not made for Marathon running. Then I read 'Keep on Running' and it all became clear. Withoutthis book, I would have given up Marathon running. But now I know how tomanipulate my metabolism correctly in order to be a well conditionedendurance runner, I no longer fear anything over 20 miles. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Athletic Training And Conditioning    2. Exercise    3. Physiological aspects    4. Running    5. Running & Jogging    6. Sports    7. Sports & Recreation    8. Track & Field    9. Training    10. Biomechanics, human kinetics    11. Health & Fitness / Exercise    12. Sports injuries & medicine   

Reviews (20)

Great for beginners
I just started running and this book has been a big help.I'm in my 5th week and you don't realize how much you running (20 minutes out of 30).
You're Better off Going to the Newsstand
This isn't a bad book, but it's essentially for the novice runner, with a heavy slant toward the female runner.Not a bad resource tool, but you could probably look up the same or more current/detailed information faster and easier online.
This book is basically a hodgepodge of collected articles.
Despite what the title and subtitle suggests, this doesn't
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Subjects:  1. Running    2. Running & Jogging    3. Sports    4. Sports & Recreation    5. Training    6. Sports & Recreation / Running & Jogging   

Reviews (4)

Fantastic!!!
This is one of the best books I have read on positive (what the author calls "tough") thinking, especially when feeling overwhelmed, stressed out, etc.It has piqued my interest and I will be doing more research into sports mindset training to find out what I can learn and apply for myself.I found this book as helpful or even moreso than THE POWER OF FULL ENGAGEMENT, which he cowrote much later.It has many of the same themes, but more focus on how to be confident, tough, and relazed and having fun.
Groundbreaking!!!
Using competitive sports (particularly tennis) as a model, "Toughness Training for Life" defines toughness as 4 principles:flexibility, responsiveness, strength and resiliency which apply to everyday life and to a person's physical, mental, emotional and overall well-being. The overall effect one is looking for is creating balanced waves of expending and recovering energy and the avoidance of under- and over-training. There are some real world examples of out-of-balance lives(for example, overtraining physically, undertraining emotionally) and specific steps to correct the problems. A lot of theory, few specific tools
I picked this book up after reading an article about Loehr's program in Outside Magazine. Unfortunately, the article had more specific, day-to-day advice than this book does. Loehr's ideas are very interesting and ring true, but he spends a great deal of time justifying his theory and reviewing brain biochemistry and physiology experiments. Then he throws in some case studies and some vague recommendations - eat multiple small meals a day, target your heart rate during exercise, reframe your inner dialogue, etc. Based on the magazine article, I was expecting a program to help you identify your weaknesses when it comes to implementing these changes and structure a program around that. I was expecting a realistic look at why people fail to become tough and how to work around it. The book starts to do that, but never really follows through with specifics. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. General    2. Psychology    3. Running & Jogging    4. Self-Help    5. Sports & Recreation    6. Family & Health   

Subjects:  1. Athletes    2. Diet/Nutrition    3. Nutrition    4. Nutrition And Diet    5. Runners (Sports)    6. Running    7. Running & Jogging    8. Sports & Recreation    9. Diets & dieting    10. Track & field sports, athletics   

Reviews (3)

Perfect Resource for Women Runners
I liked this book because of it's context and because it was easy to implement.It is targeted for female runners but I have reccommended the book to a varietay of athletes from young, older, male,female, swimmers,runners, bikers.This has been the best infromation I have recieved on nutrition for athletes.

Accessable to all readers, especialy valueable for female athletes
This is not just a great book on Training and Nutrition but also a great source of lessons learned by a athlete for athletes, especially female athletes. From a technical perspective, the books guidance is up to date and in sync with the latest insights and research into sport's nutrition and training. The book is very readable and should be just as enjoyable and accessible to adult as well as teen athletes.
For someone who wants to do more than read another book
I wanted to do more than just read another book. This book takes sample nutrition, racing, and workout plans from Suzie herself. As a recreational runner I was nervous whether or not this book was really something that I needed to read as it is geared toward racing preparation. But, my friend who recommended this book insisted that I read it. I don't want to outline the book for you, but if you are looking for some direction to a combination of nutrition, rest, and performance, this is the book for you. This book also focuses on performance rather than just moving along, and I think that is a key element that has enabled me to re-evaluate my lifestyle. I would strongly recommend this book to a runner (or any other athlete, regardless of their sport) whether beginner or intermediate (I cannot say advanced b/c I'm only intermediate). It has helped me so much. Well worth the money and time. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Athletes    2. Cookery    3. Nutrition    4. Runners (Sports)    5. Running & Jogging    6. Sports    7. Sports & Recreation    8. Training    9. Sports & Recreation / Running & Jogging   

Reviews (21)

A must for any serious runner.
This book is excellent and an absolute necessity for anyone seriously interested in competitive running. Noakes covers all of the basics concerning the physiological and psychological aspects of running and presents them in a clear manner. The discussions about stretching, overtraining, and injury are equally useful as a reference.
A Cautious Iconoclast
This book is one of the best resources for a runner of a coach that I've come across.Noakes details a diverse sampling of current theories in exercise science, and explains them in a readable and comprehensible fashion.Alongside Daniels' Running Formula, this book is at the head of the pack with regard to allowing the non-scientist to understand research-based explanations concerning running performance.
This is the final word on all things running
It would be hard to overstate the reach of this landmark tome on running. Noakes has put together, quite simply, THE authoritative resource on all things running. With a stunning level of historical and scientific research, Noakes reviews the entire global history of running, drawing well-reasoned conclusions about sports medicine, psychology, all aspects of training, injury prevention and acheiving the highest level of performance possible. Then he backs these theories up with irrefutable testimonials from the world's best runners of all time.
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Subjects:  1. Physiological aspects    2. Running    3. Running & Jogging    4. Sports    5. Sports & Recreation    6. Track & Field    7. Training    8. Jogging    9. Track & field sports, athletics   

Reviews (4)

From the pages of a legend
Paul Tergat's life was pretty cool. It was a good book and if you like stories about winners, this one is for you.He had an awesome running career.

Nice bio
I thought this book was a nice bio of Tergat with lots of nice photos. I wish there was a series with all my favorite runners! The writing is not the greatest, but it's readable and interesting. Plenty of quotes from Tergat.

An inspiration for the "human race!"
This is part bio; part running manual and more. On November 6th, 2005 Paul Tergat won the New York Marathon over the reigning champion from South Africa, Hendrick Ramaal and it could hardly have been closer. Some friends of mine were saying, the second guy lost the race still; I thought, hmmmn, what does one say to that? But I am reading this book, chapter 5 speaks of Tergats "eternal" battles with another reknown runner, Haile Gebrsellassie, stating that Paul lost by only a nine hundredth of a second against the Ethiopian at Sydney 2000 and it certainly put that discussion in perspective.
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Subjects:  1. Running & Jogging    2. Sports    3. Sports & Recreation    4. Track & field sports, athletics   

Reviews (2)

From a Mounain Biker
As a mountain biker interested in the spiritual connections associated with my favorite activity, I was intrigued from the outset upon learning that there was a new book out that explored the meditative and spiritual aspects of running."Running The Spiritual Path" by Roger D. Joslin is highly recommended to anyone who has ever happened along on his or her own path and felt any kind of spiritual pull and might wish to develop it further.This book can help you to go beyond traditional ways of communication with your creator.By using your breath and other methods explored by the author you may very well develop and heighten your own spiritual senses, a most rewarding goal.Personally, I believe that this breakthrough book is tangible evidence of the ongoing process of a kind of spiritual evolution finally being recognized in the world today.Pick up this book and run with it!You'll end up much farther along than the trailhead from where you usually start your own run.

A rich and thought-provoking book
If you are a runner, you may have experienced the mental benefits that running provides.You may have also felt a spiritual presence while running, perhaps saying a prayer or working through personal problems while on the trail.In this extraordinary book, Joslin explores this mind/body connection and gives many different ways to experience the spiritual side of the sport. He shares meditative techniques developed over many years and very rich personal experiences with excerpts from his running journal.The book is well thought-out and written with a great deal of humility and care.This is one that I will read again and again.It changed the way I approach running.I also think about this book throughout the day, even when I am not running.A great book! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Running & Jogging    2. Spirituality - General    3. Sports    4. Sports & Recreation   

Reviews (13)

ok
at the end of the book i actually disliked Webb. it was a story about someonewho was not patient enough and thougt of himself as above everyone, i actually think him running such great times as a highschooler hurt him,he did not give the coach at michigan a fair chance and found ways to make everything a drama. the part i did enjoy though was reading about the other people from michigan and the fact that chris lear is such a great writer and really connects with the reader.

So Much Potential, So Little Patience
In a space of several months in 2001, Alan Webb ran the fastest indoor mile by a U.S. high school athlete and then set a national high school record for the magical distance, breaking a mark that reigned supreme for 36 years by the legendary Jim Ryun.
Reaching the PRO's
Alan Webb in this story strikes me as more a baby than a runner who has ran under 4 minutes in the mile. He whines about being hurt and not getting trained right. Warhurst is one of the greatest american distance coaches, if you can't run under him don't run at all. Nate seemed more likeable and more of a team player than Webb did in this book. Being for Illionis I love how Webb lost to Don Sage in 1500 meter final. Towards the end of the book, you knew he was going to quit michigan, now granted Webb has become very big in the sport but for a while he struggled after leaving Michigan and going back to his old coach. Good Book, if you like Webb, you might change your view of him, Nate is awesome, so is Tim Broe ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Sports - General    5. Track & Field    6. Biography: sport    7. Track & field sports, athletics   

Subjects:  1. Calendar    2. Calendars & Diaries    3. Calendars - Sports & Recreation    4. Non-Classifiable    5. Running    6. Running & Jogging    7. Sports & Recreation / Running & Jogging   

Subjects:  1. Exercise    2. Physical fitness    3. Running    4. Running & Jogging    5. Sports    6. Sports & Recreation    7. Training    8. Fitness training   

Reviews (4)

Burfoot Delivers Again
Burfoot's "The Runner's Guide to the Meaning of Life" is so simple yet so thorough. It's such a quick read, but the depth and variety of each short, powerful chapter is incredible. I literally could not put it down. A runners must have
The perfect book to lift the spirits and give you the motivation to get out and give it your best. It's a small and easy to read companion that is ideal for taking along to races and whipping out when the nerves start to set in. Every runner should have this in their kit bag or beside the bed.

Wonderful Mental Run for the Heart and Spirit!
What a wonderful book by Amby Burfoot to fuel the spirit and heart of the runner in each one of us. The book is inspirational, caring and sharing ofrunning and life that we run. It has quotes, stories, heros, thoughts aboutgoals, courage, finishing, victory and yes stopping to smell the rosesalong the way or maybe even a majestic view on the race course. Amby sharedthoughts and philosophies that made me laugh, put the book down to do myown reflection and even brought me to tears. The story of Amby's 30thannversary Boston Marathon race was so touching when his brother joined himon the run. I plan on giving this book to all of my running friends. Thisbook is just what you need to fuel or maybe even refuel your own runningspirit. Whether you are a beginner or elite runner there is something inthis book that will touch your mind and heart. It is a book for the runnerin each of us. Amby teaches us the winning attitude so well in the book.Thanks for sharing your experience with us. Thanks for all you do for therunning world. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Burfoot, Amby    2. Conduct of life    3. Inspirational - General    4. Philosophy    5. Runners (Sports)    6. Running    7. Running & Jogging    8. Sports    9. Sports & Recreation    10. Advice on careers & achieving success    11. Mind, body, spirit: disciplines & techniques    12. Track & field sports, athletics   

Reviews (47)

Inspiring
If you run, competitively or not, you'll enjoy this book.It shows the level of effort and the perseverance required to attain a goal.I recommend it.

For Runners
This book is very interesting to read if you like to run, and running is what I like to do.I liked to learn the facts about how running once was in the earlier days to how it is now.I also liked to learn the stories behind the runners who broke the four minute mile mark.You are able to learn that they are just normal people who are able to do something great with their lives.They are able to continue to push themselves to the next level just to be the first person to break four minutes.That is a great thing to achieve because very few people can do it.It was a great book to read you want to read something and learn about running history at the same time.

Excellent -like Seabiscuit but about running
This book reminds me a lot of Seabiscuit. Both books read more like novels than non fiction. Both are about events that held the nation (and world's) attention. Both give an interesting look not just at a couple key individuals but a sport as a whole.
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Subjects:  1. General    2. History    3. Running & Jogging    4. Sports    5. Sports & Recreation    6. Track & Field    7. Track And Field Athletics    8. Sports & Recreation / History   

Reviews (9)

Solid Journal
I've used this journal for 10+ years now.I like it's layout and functionality.

Just began and loving it!
I have just started to use this training diary, my 4th week, and it is wonderful.
Spiral Bound
One of the main reasons I like this diary so much is that it is spiral bound. You can't tell from the Amazon photo. So I keep it open to the week I'm running in to make entries quick.
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Subjects:  1. Diet / Health / Fitness    2. Running & Jogging    3. Sports    4. Sports & Recreation    5. Sports & Recreation / Running & Jogging    6. Track & field sports, athletics