The Non-Runner's Marathon Trainer
by David Whitsett, Forrest Dolgener, Tanjala Kole
|
List Price: Our Price: $9.56 You Save: $7.39 (44%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $1.50 (click here) Category: Book See more book details and other editions |
|---|
Book Reviews of The Non-Runner's Marathon Trainer
Book Review: Excellent Guide For A First Marathon
Summary: 5 Stars
As a runner in high school, I suffered a knee injury, and as a result I always believed that I would never achieve my dream of completing a marathon. In August of 2000 I decided that a marathon was a must for my personal fulfillment. I ran across Whitsett and Dolgener's book, purchased it, and immediately grew excited as I read through its first pages. I began my training and followed the book's every instruction during those crucial early weeks.The Non-Runner's Marathon Trainer not only prepared me for my first marathon, but changed my entire lifestyle. I ate healthier meals and snacks during my training, utilized my sleep time in such a way that I felt refreshed when I woke up in the mornings, and slimmed down without even meaning to better my appearance! I especially appreciated the advice not to wear a watch while running...this made running less stressful. Plus, I had very little free time, but this training program only requires four workouts each week, and gives helpful pointers on how to arrange these runs around busy schedules.
I finished the Kiawah Island Marathon in December 2000 in a decent amount of time, and the following week sent the authors a letter of positive feedback, thanking them for writing this book.
If you are not a routine runner but hope to finish a marathon, this book is an excellent source! I highly recommend it.
Book Review: 2009 Philadelphia Marathon PR!
Summary: 5 Stars
I must say this book worked for me. I didn't just read this book, it was a tool that I used to complete the 2009 Philadelphia Marathon and it worked. I achieved my goal and it was phenomenal. This is a beginner's book that is designed to get you across the finish line. If you follow the program you will finish. I would highly recommend that you start by reading the Introduction and do what the book tells you.
It does assume some level of fitness, but not much. There is a 10 week preliminary training program in the Introduction of the book that will get you to the point of running for 30 minutes. Once you can run for 30 minutes you are ready to begin the 16 week training program.
The combination of the physical and mental strategies to get through the 26.2 miles of a marathon are invaluable. The runner testimonials throughout the book are inspirational and there is a runner for everyone. I kept this book with me for three months and relied on the information to explain aches and pains, mental meltdowns and what to expect when I hit "the wall".
Running the marathon was a lot like this book. I found the first half to be all physical and the second half to be all mental. If you use the strategies and follow the training in this book you will finish your first marathon.
Book Review: It works!
Summary: 5 Stars
I did a half marathon in January 2010. Afterwards I began thinking 'how hard can a full marathon be?'. I did a lot of online reading and sifted through many books before ordering this one. Let me tell you this should be the bible for first time marathoners. I injured my knee and was told by my doctor if I ran more than 3 times a week I would continue to re-injure myself. I dropped the middle distance run for the week (their plan has you run 4 days a week) and I still was prepared for my race in November 2010.
Throughout the book the authors remind, beg and plead for you to have finishing as your goal. As a first timer that was my goal and I am glad it was! Each chapter prepares you in some way for the big day. It builds on itself giving you a very firm foundation to fall back on - especially on race day when you begin to get discouraged. They talk you through the highs and lows of training and racing. Of how to take it all in. And throughout the book there is no mention of ideal pace times or speed. There is no pressure to run a certian pace or to finish by a certian time. The goal is to finish and they are exactly right.
I love this book so much my brother is getting a copy for Christmas. If you think you want to try a Marathon buy this book. It will prepare you for what lies ahead.
Book Review: This book changed my life!!
Summary: 5 Stars
I bought this book about a month ago, pretty much on a whim. I thought, "What the heck! I'm 26, I'm not getting younger, might as well try to do something huge while I still have health and youth." So I figured, why not a marathon? I am still in the first parts of the training, but already I have seen INCREDIBLE results! I never really ran at all before. But I went out and bought $100 shoes, some socks and workout clothes, and started in on the pretraining schedule. (NOTE: This training takes 16 weeks, IF you're already able to run 30 minutes non-stop. I couldn't. So I started out with the pretraining schedule in the Introduction). The first week was rough, but that weekend, I read ahead, and learned about a breathing technique. The NEXT DAY, I doubled the amount of time that I could run. I increased that by half again, a week later. Last night, I doubled what I ran two days ago. This book is amazing. Combined with the determination to run through the hard spots (and boy, have there been some of those. Already.), you will learn practical techniques that will change the way you look at running. I have never felt such an amazing sense of accomplishment as I did last night. I WILL be running a marathon. I can do it. And I never would have realized that, if I hadn't spent the $12 on this book.Book Review: From the couch...
Summary: 5 Stars
One of my much younger and more lean co-workers told me that she was going to run a half marathon in 3 months. She was excited about it but said she didn't really know how she was going to get up to 13.1 miles. I caught on to her energy but knew that I needed a plan. When I found "The Non-Runner's Marathon Trainer" and looked into the program, I decided that I wanted to be a runner and I could do it, maybe not 26.2 miles at a time, but I did want to run. I had no intention of running a marathon when I ordered this book but everything else about the program seemed to be a perfect fit for me, and it has been. As a matter of fact, after reading the introduction, I decided that I really did want to run a marathon but I didn't have enough faith in myself to actually try. Now I do. The stories of the non-runners in the book made me realize that everyone has obstacles. Either overcome them and be a runner or use them as an excuse not to run. My first marathon will be Leading Ladies Marathon on August 21, 2011. Get this book now and maybe I will see you there.
Read Racing Weight: How to Get Lean for Peak Performance by Matt Fitzgerald along with this book.