Marathon Training for Dummies

by Tere Stouffer Drenth

In today's modern world, there's no need for anyone to run twenty-five miles to deliver a message, as Pheidippides did from Marathon to Athens around 500 B.C. However, hundreds of runners each year run 26.2 miles at hundreds of marathons worldwide. To conquer this mountainous challenge, you must know how to properly eat, stretch, identify and treat injuries, and develop a running program that hones your mind and body into a running machine.Marathon Training For Dummies is for everyone who has always thought about running a marathon or half-marathon (13.1 miles) and for seasoned runners who want to tackle the challenge safely and successfully. This quick-read reference helps all runners: Add strength and speedWeight trainImprove your techniqueEat to maximize enduranceTreat injuriesChoose your races

In just four to six months of dedicated training, any runner can be full y prepared to tackle a marathon. Map out an exercise program, choose shoes, and plan the race strategy that will get you across the finish line. "Marathon Training" "For Dummies" also covers the following topics and more: How far how fast?Blazing the best trailStretching methodsDoing LSD (Long, Slow Distance)Tempo-run trainingThe last 24 hoursThe best tune-up races in North AmericaThe week after the marathonWith several hundred thousand people finishing marathons each year, you'll meet plenty of interesting people running along with you. There are numerous rewards for conquering the mental and physical challenges of a marathon, and this fun and friendly guide is your road map to achieving them.

Genres: Nonfiction, Sports, Fitness, Reference

290 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

Reviews

[Katie Newton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good resource. Good diagrams for stretches and training exercises. Perhaps a bit outdated in the information available.

[Nancy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this book very irresponsible. It's geared toward new marathon runners, and specifically new runners. Pushes 70+ mile weeks on a regular basis and poo-poos cross training unless it involves your running muscles. That's setting someone up for injury. Way too many miles for a new runner (and you better be running, no walk breaks allowed!) and the point of cross training is to keep everything balanced, not work muscles that see the majority of the work already. Move your body in different ways. There is a section on circuits, but it feels like it's tossed in because the author was told to, not because she wants to. It comes after she complains about cross training and weights.

She writes as though she expects a new marathoner to qualify for Boston.

The clothing, nutrition, sleeping, race day, injury care (no prevention, though) and race finder (although it's old) sections were decent, but not worth buying the book for. I would think most people who were going to buy this would do so for the training advice.

Unless you want to get hurt, skip it.

[Mark · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was very disappointed in this book. While it has some good introductory learning for beginners, some of the advice is absolutely wrong (not just a preference, but wrong). Her strong opinions would be more tolerable if she stop presenting them as facts and give a more balanced view. I'm not a professional runner, yet in my 10 marathons (with 5 consecutive Boston Marathons), I know there are WAY better sources from which to learn. There's just too much bad advice in this book.

[Łukasz Wikierski · Rating 3 out of 5]

Całkiem fajna książka dla początkujących biegaczy. Dużo porad. Np. dotyczących ubioru (w tym butów - jak je dobrać i jak często je zmieniać), zapobieganiu kontuzjom, czy radzeniu sobie z nimi, jeśli już wystąpiły. Dla początkującego duże wrażenie robi nacisk na rozciąganie. Z drugiej strony widać, że książka postała ładnych parę lat temu, bo dużym problemem jest mierzenie długości trasy i średniego tempa.

[Jenifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good and informative book; however, I found some of her ideas and recommendations a bit crazy. (But she is a professional runner, and I am not.) She said she runs every day because it is a habit--like she brushes her teeth every day. I think the body needs some days of rest--at least mine does.

[Caran-marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maybe it was just my time to read a how to book about serious running but I found the whole thing fascinating. A little bizarre in parts- the whole running culture is new to me- but quite interesting.

All in all a good read with good info for a beginner like me.

[Wawan Setiawan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read the old edition thus lots of reference to old technologies. There is no GPS device while running.
There is also no discussion about using HR Training for endurance.
But overall the book is very good in covering the topics to prepare us to train for marathon or running in general.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pretty decent book. Got me through my marathon so well I didn't even have to run very fast or at all!!!!!!!!!

Thanks Marathon Training For Dummies!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

ouch. i started training (slowly) for a marathon.
slowly being the key word.
but this book is great for 1st time runners. it covers a lot of bases.

you bookies are all like "boring"!

[Valene Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

about 1/2 of the information in this book i had heard before and the other 1/2 i had not. i found it very useful and it definitely helped me prepare for my first 26.2 properly.

[Melanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

My crazy sisters have convinced me to run a half marathon with them in October. I had better figure out how to train for one!

[Monta · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a quick, fun, easy read. Probably would have been even more helpful if I wasn't already a marathon runner. I may try her circuit training suggestions.

[Tawnya · Rating 2 out of 5]

I felt like the author of this book was too one-sided in her training advice and the book is quite out-dated.

[for-much-deliberation ... · Rating 4 out of 5]

Training advise for distance running whether, marathons, half marathons and the like.