Advanced Marathoning - 2nd Edition
by Peter Pfitzinger, Scott Douglas
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Book Reviews of Advanced Marathoning - 2nd Edition
Book Review: Solid Information
Summary: 5 Stars
As a 14 time marathoner I have read quite a few of these marathon books. This isn't my favorite but I think it is true to it's title. This is a good book to read if you've ran a marathon or two and have already read the basic marathoning books - most of which are pretty basic and contain a lot of "atta boy!" kind of spiel. *Advanced Marathoning* answered some of my questions that have been (mildly) gnawing at me for years.
My complaint is that the book, over-all, has an elitist tone to it. Okay . . . the authors are both highly accomplished marathoners and I felt that the target audience, or I guess who I felt they were trying to maybe exclusively address, were marathoners who are trying to run, at the very least, a sub 3:00 marathon. Or maybe even a 2:20 marathon or the like. (The pace predictor charts in this book, for example, go from a goal of a 2:10 marathon to a 4:00 marathon).
Well NEWS FLASH! Have you been to a marathon lately? (Other than the Olympic trials) The guys who are running sub 2:30 races already know all the stuff in the book!!! Most of us are striving to run a sub four hour marathon. Well - maybe not exactly - but we all have our different, individual goals.
But the information is solid and I think this book helped me understand a few things I was puzzled about; and I guess people like me can still use those pace charts - we just have to multiply them by a factor of two.
Book Review: Advanced Marathoning Gets Even Better
Summary: 5 Stars
In the fall of 2003, my marathon PR was just below the Boston qualifying standard for my age: 3:08. I wanted to run better, but needed help. One day in a bookstore, I came across Scott and Pete's book. I thumbed through it and decided it was worth a shot.
I read it cover to cover that night and tore out the schedules. I posted them to my wall next to my treadmill. I followed them religiously. In 2004. I took my marathon PR down to 2:42. I then ran back-to-back marathons using the multiple marathoning schedule. In 2005, I dipped under 2:40 and in 2006, I cracked the top 300 U.S. list with a 2:32 PR. Admittedly, a book won't do the running for you; it won't get you out in the rain or get you to run that final 1200-meter repeat, but it does tell you what you need to do.
Scott Douglas' cogent writing paired with Pete's brilliant coaching expertise make this a readable, practical book. The second edition is even better. I enjoyed the addition of the easy-to-grasp flexibility/strength training diagrams as well as the inclusion of drills.
If you want to improve your marathon time, this book is for you. Buy it, put it on your bookshelf and consult it. Trust me, you won't regret spending the money
Book Review: Excellent Training schedules for Advanced Runners
Summary: 5 Stars
Book prerequisites- Just as the title suggests, this is not a beginning marathoner's book. The low end training schedule starts at 55 miles/week. You shouldn't even consider starting a training schedule from this book unless you've been training at a 40-45 miles per week level. However, there is still useful information to be had even if you don't use the training programs.
When striving to improve your marathon performance, you will come to learn that speedwork (typically avoided by beginners) is something eventually essential to further improvement. I was in this very group of speedwork-averse runners. Having made it half way thru the 55 mile per week training schedule at this point in time, I've realized just how well balanced the training program is. It's hard work, but the distance runnning, speedwork, and recovery run balance of the program is excellent. I no longer fear speedwork as a result and actually look forward to it.
To conclude, this book contains the best intermediate to advanced training programs I've seen so far and I highly recommend them. If trying to BQ is in your rearview mirror, this book is a logical next step.
Book Review: favorite running read
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a favorite running read for me. I have several Galloway's and or course Noak's in my collection, but this book is very inspirational and is for more seasoned runners - not to say beginners could not enjoy this. Others go over basics and go into depth - but this book gets down to it for those interested in advanced running. If you have run for some time and have put in a few miles, and want to get motivated for more mileage, this might be exactly the book for you.
Look at the title - and you can see who it is for. If you are starting out there are better options, see above. I am so glad to have found this gem of a book after 20 years of running and had I discovered this earlier would have snapped it up. It is a no brainer - if you are serious about running, and want to read more, buy it.
I especially enjoyed the runner profiles as the book looks at several individuals and their training regime. It also touches on weight/strength training which is nice for those of us whom like to spend time in the gym, sensibly so as a runner.
Book Review: a good resource for the next step
Summary: 5 Stars
First time marathoners have usually the same goal; finishing the marathon. It is a hard challange to run the 26 miles. There are really good books to keep you motivated and push forward to finish the marathon succesfully. But what next? Will you just "run" the marathon in rest of your running life? It is not easy to shorten the finish time just with milage and distance training. There are different bio-mechanichal points you should improve for a better time result. This book is a good guide to learn what is happening inside your body while preparing and running the marathon. You can find detailed programs for different running levels. As mentioned in the book, there are three kind of people on a marathon; the "participants" who try just the finish the maraton without paying attention for the timing, the "runners" who try to finish the marathon running without walk breaks, and "racers" with finishing time goals. If you will upgrade yourself from being a participant to the next levels, this book is a good resource for you.