The Complete Guide to Marathon Walking

by Dave McGovern

Thorough and entertaining guide to marathon running by a widely respected running coach. Especially helpful for the novice runner but also helpful to the veteran. Sections cover the background of the marathon, detailed training regimen, and the race itself.

Genres: Nonfiction, Fitness

212 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2000

Reviews

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book! Lots of encouragement for a first-time marathoner like me, yet with enough science to explain how the body functions in this kind of environment. Nice training guide and tips for beginning, intermediate, and advanced walkers. The most important take away message: get in 3 walks a week, and one of them has got to be long!

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was recommended to me by my coach. It's too bad this book was so hard to find. It covers all the walking stuff (technique, 6+ hour pacing) that the running and run/walk books miss. Would highly recommend it to runners too cause most of you need to learn how to walk right :)

[Jodi Santini · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It has great information yet with parts that make you LOL.

[Mark Whitcombe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent! McGovern knows what he’s writing about, being a top-level racewalker himself. I’m following his under-5-and-a-half-hour plan (aiming for 5 hours to walk the Ottawa Marathon at the end of May 2008). It’s daunting ...

[Lesley Looper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though I'm training to walk a half marathon instead of a marathon, this book gave some good advice in an upbeat way. Some of the advice was dated a bit, but overall, a really good book for distance walking.

[Stuart Montgomery · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really good book, written in an accessible and very witty style.
Although it is aimed at walkers it should be of interest to people preparing for any kind of endurance event. It contains lots of ideas to make training sessions more focussed, more effective and more varied.

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked that this book was so comprehensive in preparing me to train for my half marathon last October. It is filled with practical advice.

[Berryvox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great reference material for people who want to walk a marathon.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book a valuable resource for my half-marathon walking, it's not the kind of book to read through in one setting. I read, marinated, took notes and then continued reading. I've been making small changes and adjustments to my walking style, schedule and process. This book is one that I'll put on my shelf and reference from time to time.