The Non-Runner's Marathon Trainer
by David Whitsett, Forrest Dolgener, Tanjala Kole
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Book Reviews of The Non-Runner's Marathon Trainer
Book Review: Making the impossible, possible.
Summary: 5 Stars
When I was in high school, I hated distance running. I was on the track team, but I joined every club in school so that I could go to club meetings and skip the distance run in the beginning of track practice. I thought distance runners were insane, and would never imagine that I would have accomplished what I just did.
I haven't run in a race- yet- but I just finished running the distance of a half marathon. Before reading this book, I never would have thought that possible. Now? I'm confident that I WILL run a marathon. This book helps you to adjust your thinking to get through the toughest emotional battles while keeping you on a very well-paced schedule. It almost seems TOO easy, sometimes- when you get up into the later weeks, you'll be surprised that you want to move faster than it tells you to. But don't- stick to their schedule, and you'll be so pleased that your body can do it.
In addition to this book, I'll also recommend this one:
http://www.amazon.com/ChiRunning-Danny-Dreyer/dp/074325144X
This is really helpful in preventing injury through good form and learning meditative running.
Good luck!!
Book Review: Perfect balance of physical and mental preparation
Summary: 5 Stars
This must be among the best how-to books ever written. I am 39 years old, not an athlete, and decided 6 months ago I wanted to run a marathon. The authors gave me all the information I needed to prepare. I felt as if I had personal coaches. They discuss the problems a first-time amateur has each week of training, building both mental and physical stamina. Each chapter/week builds on the previous lessons. Personal stories punctuate that week's lessons with experiences from other successful amateurs. So many other programs fall short on the important mental preparation that this book is careful to address. The training program built me up without injury, and taught me how to address the expected aches and pains.I just completed my marathon 2 days ago, and I feel great. I felt confident at the starting line, and this book is why. No "wall", no crawling across the finish line, the marathon was the exhilarating lifetime experience I craved, and this book got me there. If you are looking to set time records, look elsewhere. But if your goal is to complete your first marathon and enjoy the experience, this book delivers.
Book Review: this training plan really does work!
Summary: 5 Stars
I just ran the Sacramento Marathon this past weekend (it was my first) and finished it feeling great as a result of the guidelines set out in this book. I highly recommend this book to first time marathoners and highly recommend the Sacramento Marathon as well (flat course through residential area and park and it's 85% in the shade). The plan is easy to follow and the different aspects addressed (physical, mental, nutrition/diet, testimonies of others who used the training book) are essential to finishing a marathon for the first time.
I want to do another one now! I had never run more than a 10k prior to training for this marathon but worked out regularly so I didn't really need the additional 4 weeks of pre-conditioning but this 4-5 month plan really does work.
The training plan is distance-based and you run 4 times a week (2 short runs, 1 medium and 1 long run) and never run over 18 miles at one time, max out at 36 miles per week. I looked into other training plans that were time-based and found them too rigorous for my first marathon (required 6 days of workouts, 3 runs and 3 cross training days, etc).
Book Review: Best Marathon Training Book for Non-Runners Hands Down
Summary: 5 Stars
I used this book in 2004 to train for the Dallas White Rock Marathon. Having never been a runner and never run a marathon and with no outside help or coaching, I prepared in 16 weeks time using only the training techniques outlined in The Non-Runners Marathon Trainer. I had picked it up and read through it a few weeks before I began running, so I knew that the information was based on a college class taught by the authors and that in order to begin training they wanted you to be able to "run" for at least 30 minutes and to have told anyone and everyone that you were going to "run" a marathon. Then with 16 weeks to the targeted marathon date I religiously followed the program prescribed in the book, which was reasonable and fairly easy to follow. Run four times a week with the long run on the week end. Buy the right equipment. Build mental, emotional and physical endurance. The authors tell you how to do it. They tell you why it works. They give examples of people in their class who have extreme challenges that have followed the program and have finished 26.2 miles! ANYONE can finish a marathon. I did. You can. Read this book.Book Review: If you buy it, You will run!
Summary: 5 Stars
I ran a few miles several times a week before I bought this book but really didn't think my knees or lungs could go much farther than about six miles. I had been talking about running a half-marathon for years. Finally I was talking to a runner who said if I was serious about it I should buy a book and start training. So I upped my goal to a full marathon, bought this book, read it, followed it, and 16 weeks later I finished a marathon. Other than a commitment to do it, it was almost that simple. The book's approach to staying healthy, staying positive, and finishing the marathon was right on the money. As I trained alone, the stories by other runners really helped. Most amazing was the timing of advice. Often I would get off track or start to set unrealistic goals and about that time, the book would get me back focused on my goal - stay healthy, stay positive, finish. The four day per week approach is also a big plus. With my travel schedule I don't think I could have stuck to a more aggressive schedule. If you follow the plan, four days a week is all you need. Amaze your friends. Commit to this and do it.