Running a Marathon For Dummies

by Jason Karp

Get ready to run the race of your life Marathons in the U.S. have seen record increases in participation during the past few years. Running a Marathon For Dummies helps aspiring marathon runners prepare to successfully complete their first race, and shows experienced runners how to take their game to the next level. Running a Marathon For Dummies gives you exercises, programs, and tips to improve your running stamina, speed, and overall health. It takes you from sitting on the couch through running your first 26.2 mile marathon―and beyond. For seasoned runners, Running a Marathon For Dummies offers tips and advice for how to continue improving performance through drills, exercises, and other techniques. Whether you're a couch potato or a regularly hit the asphalt, Running a Marathon For Dummies gives you everything you need to run the race of your life.

Genres: Sports, Nonfiction

368 pages, Paperback

First published September 7, 2012

Reviews

[Maritza Arreola ✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started reading this book because someone advice me to buy it because it has very good advices to runners, I agree with the person who advice me to read it, it has all the basic things to know about running an running a marathon I like a lot that he also supports the information with scientific sources and what I lot the most is the authors sense of humor

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm going to run my first marathon. Since, this was one of the few books available at my library on the subject, I checked it out.

I think that, for what this book is, it is fine. Like other For Dummies books, it gives a good overview and provides basic information. However, I have no idea who the target audience is. Someone really planning to run a marathon, most certainly, would already know all of the information in this book. Maybe this book would be interesting to the non-running spouse of someone training for a marathon or a non-runner doing research for some reason.

There is nothing particularly bad or good about Running a Marathon for Dummies. It is a typical For Dummies , so whoever purchases it will probably get exactly what they are expecting.

[Hope · Rating 4 out of 5]

By far, the best book that I've read on running so far. It provides plenty of science-y information about the physiology of running, meaning that I can trust the information in the book more.

[Jordan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty decent overall, but I do have a few quibbles with it. The biggest one being I would have liked there to have been more information on nutrition. The book touches on it briefly a few times, but it doesn't really dedicate any substantial amount of pages to it. Other running/marathon books seem to be a lot better in that aspect. Secondly, this suffered on occasion from a problem that a lot of running books seem to have: they want to be a running book for everyone. Which is really hard to do because beginner runners and advanced runners need really different books. In my mind a "For Dummies" book should really cater towards the beginner side of the spectrum. This book wasn't terrible, but there were a few moments where it seemed like it couldn't quite find the right audience. One that stuck in my memory was where it was talking about using a 5k pace to determine your marathon pace, but the 5k times it had seemed a little on the fast side for beginners whereas other books I've read have a much broader range of times.

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! I'm going to use these lessons to complete my third marathon in LA!
I wish I would have read it earlier and if I survive, will return for the intermediate and advanced chapters.

[Brad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Exactly what it says. A complete guide to marathon running, written so a complete novice can use it, as well as the more advanced runner.

[Chane Pain · Rating 2 out of 5]

The jokes were soooooooooo bad!

[Brette · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was fine, the research is a little outdated but this book is also 11 years old so 🤷🏻‍♀️

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm training for marathon #5, the one that was supposed to be #5 last winter got cancelled, so this isn't my first rodeo. That being said, I'm always up for learning something new.

I don't think this book is good for first time out if the gate never ran before runners. Although it says it can be, I feel like you need some experience before reading this book. It could be information overload for a newbie. But, it's good info, and easy to understand. Plus, I'm a sucker for a good biological description and diagram!

I like that Dr. Karp references heavy weight strength training (my favorite thing!), even giving the equation to calculate your 1RM. Although I'm not sure why it's a different equation for men and women? I've always used a 1RM calculator online. He also states the importance of core and pylometric work, which I find necessary to run long, especially core work.

The injury section is good as well, as is the race day strategies and jitters section.

The only thing I didn't like was the running for time other than distance, as I prefer to run for distance. Otherwise, how do I know I'm going to make it the whole way? But that's probably because it's how I've always done it. It doesn't mean he's wrong, and that I won't give it a try sometime in the future. It could just be a case if different strokes for different folks. And I'm
A slower runner. Sometimes I think it's just stubbornness that gets me to the end.

I also would have liked the training plans better if they looked more like a calendar page, rather than the current layout. But that's just me being nitpicky.

Overall, I thought it was a solid book, and I thought it was more informative and relevant than his Running For Women, but I'm not sure it's for 100% beginners.

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Despite the “dummies” reference in the title, this is a very smart book. It would be a handy title for someone just starting on a marathon journey or someone who wanted to have this around as a reference to look up whatever may be slowing down their marathon crusade.

I reviewed this on my blog: http://bit.ly/227Gd49

[Carlos Valadez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Down to Earth Marathon Book!

Awesome book! Full of important theoretical knowledge and practical advice. Fun and entertaining to read. This book is for everyone, from the novice who is looking for a simple book to read and a training schedule to follow, to the experienced runner trying to improve her marathon time.

[rolandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything you need to know about marathon

Well written book for novice and pro athletes. Something for everyone. I have read couple of marathon books but this standout to be the best

[Jo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of good basic advice on a broad range of topics.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Helpful information. Seems to be best suited to beginners.

[Jorge Lopez]

Flaca

[Jake Jeffries · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best book about running for a marathon and/or running in general that I have ever read!

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I dislike this book because I picked it up as a beginner hoping to get some tips. Unfortunately, all of the race info it gives are for people with a 30 minute or better 5k time. What about the rest of us? Unfortunately I have to get a lot better before I can fully employ some of the tricks mentioned. I wished they had maybe focused a bit on absolute beginners.