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   

Reviews (4)

Great for Beginners!
This is a superb book for beginners. Anyone who questions its "slow and easy" approach has never watched friends take on fitness programs with great enthusiasm, only to get hurt or lose interest a couple of months later. This book's number one goal is to keep that from happening by setting goals that Salazar describes as "so easy that you'll always be wanting more." It gains credibility coming from Salazar, who was renowned for his grueling training schedules. My guess is that a lot higher fraction of people who listen to him will be running a year from now than of those who risk an accelerated program not suitable for untrained beginners. The book is also loaded with answers to questions that beginners ask all the time, including many that will apply to beginning racers. If you've been running for a year or two, you may already know most of the answers, but in those first few months it's all new, and this book covers the ground nicely, in a pleasant, easy-to-read style. It's also loaded with entertaining a necdotes. Did you know that Salazar once ran several miles of a marathon with a side stitch so bad it hurt for weeks afterward? No wonder he had what it took to win! Also fun is the fact that Salazar shares the stage with his co-author, giving the book a mix of world-class and "average runner" perspectives. It's an unusual approach that works nicely, because the co-author can write from experience about issues that front-running Salazar never had to face. Bottom line: if you've been sedentary for a few years and are wanting to do something about it, this is your book. If you've been running for a few years (as I have), it's a great gift for that friend who's thinking about starting an exercise program.

Inspiring for my plans for self-improvement...
I have always heard (and observed) that runners have better endurance and overall fitness.I had tried jogging, mostly after dark, to try and get "up to speed" with other people in my biking club, but gave up after feeling faint.After reading this book, running doesn't seem as intimidating; I am gradually improving my cardiovascular fitness, so I can excel at the sports I love.The discussion about breathing, form, and stretching were especially helpful.The book was inspiring to me.

Read this review and save yourself $...
It's sad that one of the greatest distance runners of his generation has lent his name to a book that purports to require a couple of hundred pages to transform people into 12-15 mile per week fitness joggers.Read more

Subjects:  1. Reference    2. Running & Jogging    3. Sports    4. Sports & Recreation    5. Jogging    6. Track & field sports, athletics   

Reviews (2)

A Truly Amazing Book
Upon first reading this work of art by Bruce Tuckman, i was vacationing at a friend's lake house.The book was recomended to me to read so i began reading.The book did not leave my hands after that until I was done withit.It contains the same descriptiveness as the book, Once A Runner, byJohn L. Parker.This book ranks up at the top with the rest of them.

An inspiration to any runner trying to qualify for Boston!
I read (and reread) this book before my first Boston Marathon. The action was so real I couldn't tell if this was fact...or fiction! Did Brad Townes win??? or did Bill Rogers win??As I ran the route from Hopkinton toBoston, the scenes were vividly replayed in my mind. It was like I had beenhere before! This book is MUST reading for anyone attempting to qualify forBoston..."Long Road to Boston" convinced me that if Brad Townescould overcome his demons and handicaps, then surely I could train hardenough to join the runners at Boston...and I DID!! This book accompanied meto Boston! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Fiction    2. Fiction - General    3. General    4. Running & Jogging    5. Sports & Recreation   

Editorial Review

As good a primer as Read more

Reviews (5)

Good overall, especially for Flo-Jo fans
This is a great buy if you are a Flo Jo fan.
An excellent book for novice and intermediate
I feel that this book is full of useful information. Once I picked up the book i didn't set it down. It easy easy to understand and it reminds us intermediate runners about form, nutrition, and staying excited running. This book also has spots for new vocabulary, tips, warnings, and Flo-Jo's encouragement for new runners. This is an excellent book especially for the novice runner.

An excellent choice for a true beginner
At the age of 47 I decided to start running.I will add that I have neverbeen very atheletic.This book covered all the bases for a true beginner. I learn more from each book I read, but this was a great place to start.Ihave slowly progressed from walking 3 miles three times a week to running 21/2 miles three times a week. I love running and I am injury free! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Exercise    2. General    3. Running    4. Running & Jogging    5. Sports    6. Sports & Recreation    7. Cross-country running    8. Sports & Recreation / Running & Jogging   

Reviews (2)

The "Ultimate" Starting Point.
Just as you wouldn't start running a road race without the correct shoes, shorts, shirts and gear; you wouldn't want to start running on the trail without first reading this book from the people who have the most experience and have run the greatest variety of courses.This is a great book for the novice to intermediate trail runner who wants to understand how to acquire an intimate and healthy relationship with running off-road.It covers nutrition, techniques, terrain, gear, climate, and much more.If also covers those nasty little surprises like snakes, mountain lions, bears, boars and insects.This guide gives you important abstracts and introductions to heighten your trail running experience; required reading for any beginner.

A great book
Very comprehensive book, very thoroughly covers all aspects of trail running, racing, gear, nutrition, training, etc.Most appropriate for someone with little/no experience, but a good read even if you have been around a bit !Read more

Subjects:  1. Running & Jogging    2. Sports    3. Sports & Recreation    4. Track & Field    5. Active outdoor pursuits    6. Sports & Recreation / Running & Jogging    7. Track & field sports, athletics   

Editorial Review

Forty-some years after the barrier was broken it's difficult to imagine how daunting a challenge the four-minute mile once was, but for a generation of world-class runners it represented the impossible dream. Roger Bannister, the British middle-distance runner who finally achieved the epic quest in 1954, wrote this stunning memoir of his life as a runner a year later; intelligent, analytical, dramatic, and graceful, it remains a sporting classic. Though two introductions have been added in years since, it's a shame that Bannister, a remarkable man who graduated from Oxford to a distinguished medical career, has never penned a more complete memoir. Still, his achievement as a young man remains one of the pivotal moments in 20th-century sports, and his account of that achievement is as good a glimpse into a runner's race toward greatness as has ever been written. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Four-Minute mile...slow?
A great story about a great runner! You keep reading only wishing that he had put more about his career. It reads really slow and much of the book could be skipped over. I recommend the book if you are looking for a background of Bannister starting from birth. I was looking for something about his running.

True Perspective on Life & Running
Roger Bannister sets about telling the story of his historic record 4 minute mile but in the process he reveals that there is more to life than just running.This book is quite unlike most running books I have read in that Bannister strives to keep things in perspective amid spectacular and historic events.It could just be his British demeanor, but I found narrative rather enjoying.

Fascinating
This is a very interesting bk but maybe he should talk more about the running (after all it is the 4 min mile) and introduce his characters before he starts to talk about them. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bannister, Roger    2. Biography    3. General    4. Great Britain    5. Runners (Sports)    6. Running & Jogging    7. Sports    8. Sports & Recreation    9. Sports - General    10. Sports & Recreation / Running & Jogging   

Reviews (9)

great book for any runner
If you are a runner for nontrivial amount of time, you are very likely to experience some sort of injury already. I did. And I hope I could have bought and read this book before I started running.
My favorite "Injury" book todate!
Not only did this book manage to supply the info I needed in enough detail to be meaningful, particularly with the case studies, it was actually an entertaining page-turner.The author had such a human voice and managed to entirely avoid the tone of smarmy condescension that seems to be rampant in books of this sort.I was particularly won over by his willingness to even poke fun at himself as a case study.I certainly came away with a new respect for thefield of podiatry in sports medicine.

Very helpful
I find that this book has been very helpful in my running and triathlon training. The first few chapters are very good, replete with some basic theory about running and remaining injury free.Read more

Subjects:  1. Foot    2. Leg    3. Running    4. Running & Jogging    5. Running injuries    6. Sports    7. Sports & Recreation    8. Training    9. Wounds and injuries    10. Exercise & workout books    11. Popular medicine    12. Sports & Recreation / Running & Jogging    13. Track & field sports, athletics   

Editorial Review

Hal Higdon, author of more than 30 books on running and senior writer for Read more

Reviews (3)

Trying To Cover Everything
Written by "Runner's World" magazine's senior writer, this book takes the form of question and answer over a wide range of topics. Simply put, it's a FAQ manual for runners. My favorite author
Hal Higdon is my grandfather, and I'd love this book even if it wasn'twritten by him. :-)

Stellar Running Device
Although I considered myself to be a seasoned runner, I knew there was much that I had yet to discover before taking on my first marathon.This book helped incredibly - with everything from nutrition to preventingpotentially painful or debilitating injuries. Though training to run amarathon is most certainly an arduous and daunting task, Higdon's bookhelps to put running into perspective and removes it from the realm of"only the talented can do it."He gives running back to thosewho don't know everything about the sport and are willing to learn.Read more

Subjects:  1. Miscellanea    2. Running    3. Running & Jogging    4. Sports    5. Sports & Recreation    6. Track & Field    7. Training    8. Exercise & workout books    9. Fitness training    10. Sports & Recreation / Running & Jogging    11. Track & field sports, athletics   

Reviews (5)

One of the best
After trying several books on training, I always come back to this one.Not at all dated but I just wish Al could bring it back into print.This book took me to a 3:18 first marathon and a 29 minute PR a year later.The author is now one of the top prep coaches in Houston.

Tough Workouts That can make you faster
This is a book with a series of planned distance runner workouts One of the Best I've Ever Read
I have used this book to enhance my training for 5k to the Marathon. It is easy to use and makes a lot of sense. I have also had the pleasure of getting additional help from Al in person. He is my idea of what a coachshould be. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Running    2. Running & Jogging    3. Sports    4. Sports & Recreation    5. Track & Field    6. Sports & Outdoor Recreation   

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

Reviews (6)

An incredibly useful logbook
I liked the old Penguin Brigade Training Log a lot, but this new 2nd Edition is even better. It has space to record your basic training details -- where you ran and how far -- but also space to record the weather, your diet, heart-rate, cross-training, sleep hours, weight, and mood. It tracks your goals on a daily, weekly, and yearly basis. I like the new I-Rate system of rating your personal effort separate from the objective measures of mileage. A Disappointment at Best
I ordered this in a package deal along with "The Courage to Start". I am enjoying the book but the Training Log could be much more practically oriented without sacrificing the motivational advice for new adult athletes. The entry slots are small, though I do give the author credit for organizing them on a week by week format. The log's organization is limited by the two questions: what did you do? and how did it feel? Questions or entry slots which gave more guidance or were more specific would be a great addition. (What are your running goals? how many days/weeks/months till you plan to achieve that goal? Weather conditions? Pace? Areas for improvement? etc.) waddle he think up next?
This is the ONLY running log I have ever kept consistently, and I have discarded many others, too many to count. Bingham's font is large enough for older eyes to easily read; he allows you to chart your miles both weekly and yearly; and the pictures show real-life, real-looking people, not some bronzed babe in tight running regalia who probably never runsany farther than the distance to her hairbrush and makeup.Bingham knows the true penguin runner, and he hath delivered unto us a usable journal, amen! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. General    2. Running & Jogging    3. Sports    4. Sports & Recreation    5. Sports & Recreation / General   

Reviews (2)

A fine and inspiring book
I'm moved to add my positive review after noticing the negative one by S Hadley.
Seems like a rough-draft with missing pages/chapters
The message of this book is simple: if you want to run better, simply run like Haile Gebr. Of course, there's no hint as to how to run like Gebr, but there are pretty pictures and oodles of "ideas" which totally lack any sort of flesh. The book is sporadic, repetitive and offers no useful examples. The concept of a new, almost holistic approach to running is interesting, but almost completely unexplored after the introduction.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Alexander technique    2. Physiological aspects    3. Running    4. Running & Jogging    5. Sports    6. Sports & Recreation    7. Fitness training    8. NATURE - NATURE    9. Sports & Recreation / Running & Jogging    10. Track & field sports, athletics   

Reviews (6)

Have to disagree on the 5 star ratings
As a runner of 15+ marathons, a couple ultras and being an avid trail runner, I really wanted to love this book.Annerino is a compelling character, with great courage and anyone who has regularly run long distance on trail can see, a man who must have incredible commitment.The book however comes up short of where it could have.After the first couple of run descriptions, the rest merely become a repeat of lack of water, tough conditions, danger, exhaustion and route finding problems.Annerino frequently references that his motivation in running these routes is to gain information on how preceding Indian generations would have used them for trade, however with the exception of a small amount of info, that aspect is largely not covered in the book.It is a shame, as dedicating more print space to that objective would greatly enlivened the book.Overall, a good read and still recommended, but I can't go 5 stars.

A runner's touchstone
I first read "Running Wild" several years ago while recovering from a running injury and it not only gave me the confidence to come back from the injury but also became my running companion. I have since re-read it many times especially before an important race or when the reasons for training get blurry. For a runner it is a spiritual connection to the joy and mystery that running can be as well as historic proof of the origins of American running. John Annerino is an incredible man whose courage and love of the wilderness together with his deep spiritual committment to the land, it's history and it's people make "Running Wild" a masterpiece.

An incredible book.
Read this incredible book. -Karimor International Mountain Marathon ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Annerino, John    2. Arizona    3. Biography    4. Psychological aspects    5. Runners (Sports)    6. Running    7. Running & Jogging    8. Sports    9. Sports & Recreation    10. Track & Field    11. Wounds and injuries    12. Active outdoor pursuits    13. Jogging   

Reviews (1)

A Single Comprehensive Reference!
I bought this book on the recommendation of another reviewer on Amazon. I am very happy that I did. I have other books on the subject, but none of them are as comprehensive and thorough as this one. It is the type of book that you can scan for pertinent topics, or read straight through! Many, many tips for all levels of runners (very good beginner tips), all ages of runner, including stretching tips, yoga postures for warming up and staying limber, how to prepare for various races, and so many other subjects. The writing is clear and concise. Topics covered include: Training, Racing, distance running with various levels and information on how to prepare for each race (mile, 5K, 10K, marathon, etc.), The Psychology of Running, Nutrition, Safety, Sports Medicine, Aging and Exercise, Walking, and Equipment. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Physical fitness    2. Running    3. Running & Jogging    4. Sports    5. Sports & Recreation    6. Fitness training    7. Sports & Recreation / Running & Jogging    8. Track & field sports, athletics   

Reviews (6)

Worth the Read, for Beginners Too
Although Joan won an Olympic medal and I've only run two 5k races, I found this book to be very useful and informative. Some of the training drills are new to me, most actually, and I plan on using them. She also has a training schedule for everything from your first 10k to your first marathon. The book even touches on 5k races and the mile. I don't know that I'll ever want to train for a marathon, but the book was interesting and inspiring, with Joan's personal experiences mixed in with experts's advice on everything from stretching to buying the right bra.
inspiring & practical
I enjoyed the inspirational aspect of Joan's successes and overcoming injury to achieve those successes.This book also motivated me to train harder and use Joan's advice and training programs.She shows us how to balance training with life and be successful in all of it!I highly recommend it to inspire you and take your training to higher levels.

A variety of resources
I've found this book to be an excellent basic resource for female runners. I often give it as a gift to runners that I coach, since Samuelson's advice is wonderfully balanced about running and life. While others find it a problem that training advice is mixed with autobiographical info, I found it neither too dry nor too anecdotal. There aren't many good books about women's running--this is one of the best! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Exercise For Women    2. Physical fitness for women    3. Running    4. Running & Jogging    5. Running for women    6. Sports    7. Sports & Recreation    8. Track & Field    9. Track & field sports, athletics   

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 (2)

great collection
I thought this book had a great collection of running stories that just inspired me to just run and help me in my races to keep going. I enjoyed reading this book eminsly and it has something for all ages and all types of runners. I recommend that any runner get this book, especially if you're looking for inspiration

Encompasses all the emotions of running: excellent
This book should be in the hands of every runner. The short stories are amazing. The different portrayals of running can appeal to anyone, from beginner to advanced. Some of the stories will bring you to your race daysand get your adrenaline running as if you are runninf the race. I can onlyread them one at a time because I get to pumped up and have to relax.Read more

Subjects:  1. General    2. Rhetoric    3. Running & Jogging    4. Short Stories (Anthologies)    5. Sports    6. Sports & Recreation    7. Fiction / Literary   

Reviews (7)

A nice journal
I have been using a running journal for several years and this is a very nice one.Is it the ultimate one?That is certainly a matter of taste.If this were the ultimate one, it would be structured to accommodate more than one workout in a day, it would be hardcover, and it would be waterproof.And Amazon would be giving them away free.
Not what it says
While this training log is a pretty decent one, the "product description" for this item is incorrect. It specifically says that it includes "full color photographs," and it does not. The only "full color photograph" in the log is the cover.I was disappointed upon receiving it.

Flexible, Inspiring, Roomy, and Informative...THE BEST!
The Ultimate Runner's Journal is easily the best log book on the market.I've tried several other logs, and none come close to providing the amount of space available to write about my runs every day.That's why I'm veryconfused by the previous review--the writer states he wants a lot of roomto write.That's exactly what The Ultimate Runner's Journal provides, sohis criticism is puzzling to say the least.If you don't like pictures(and I don't know too many people who don't like pictures...), then it isvery easy to skip them since they are on their own pages.Maybe what hereally needs is a lined college notebook!Read more

Subjects:  1. Running & Jogging    2. Exercise & workout books    3. Sports & Recreation / Running & Jogging    4. Track & field sports, athletics    5. Sports    6. Running    7. Sports & Recreation