Feet Don't Fail Me Now: The Rogue's Guide to Running the Marathon

by Ben Kaplan

Based on his own experience transforming himself from a degenerate bar fly into a dedicated runner who qualified for the Boston Marathon, Ben Kaplan provides a week-by-week training program, split into four sections, each concluding with a race from 5km to a full 26.2-mile marathon. With wit, self-deprecation, and the input of experts from around the world, he provides critical information on nutrition and hydration, selecting shoes, race strategy, pacing, proper form, motivation, and how to stave off injuries while continually crossing new finish lines. He shares running music recommendations provided personally by a variety of pop and rock stars, including Paul Simon, Justin Bieber, The Black Keys, Ghostface Killah, Willie Nelson, Feist, and Norah Jones. Kaplan's infectious enthusiasm about running — and music — inspires the most recalcitrant runners to lace up their shoes and hit the pavement.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Health

240 pages, Paperback

First published May 14, 2013

Reviews

[Marykay Pogar · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked that he had a lot of music suggestions from various people-singers, actors and runners-about what to listen to when working out. But should I feel out of it because I only recognized about 10% of the songs?

[Meg]

Written with a light jokey tone, Kaplan asked all sorts of musicians for running songs which he peppers through this *handwavey* guide to get from couch to marathon in one year. He includes a year of his own running to qualify for and run the Boston Marathon in the first year of his first child's life (a little side-eye there because that seems like a lot of time to take away from your first kid in a very gendered way - you know a woman would get so much judgement for that choice) Otherwise this book is refreshingly moderate in its guidence.

I'm doing a couch to 5 km, so a marathon seems like an unholy sufferfest but! I think this book very nicely plots out the progression involved with a lot of give to it. Kaplan writes with an expectation that you aren't just a robot following the program he gives - which wouldn't work anyway because Kaplan insists you pay attention to how your body feels and adjust. Walking for a bit is fine and maybe the best strategy! (I didn't know this!) He expects sometimes you just fall off track and need help getting back into it safely. I loved that.

I like the bit on shoes where he adresses the zero-drop barefoot style vs padded and corrective shoes and points out you should probably wear what is most comfortable to run unholy distances with.

Things I wanted which weren't in the book:

A chart, multiple charts, the ebook version made it tricky to keep track where we were in the progression and impossible to refer back later.

A list of all the songs mentioned at the end, and maybe a Spotify list or something so you could listen while you read about them? A linked running list. I am lazy clearly, but I think it would have been nice!

My Libby app kept freezing during the last three chapters which was hecka annoying but it looks like they fixed it *whew*

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

This would be good for an ambitious new runner. I am preparing for my first marathon and the book taught me some things about race culture.

[Dorothy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed Ben's journey and the training guide. I am increasing my running at a slower pace than in the guide and really appreciate that some days are just not your day and that everyday that you do show up takes you to the next mile. Very inspirational stories from so many great runners he is connected with and the author has a great sense of humor.

[Charit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ben has an easy going writing style and a sense of humour to boot. The book offers a roadmap for a new runner who wants to run various distances from scratch or just wants to get to the next major distance marker. The instruction isn’t too prescriptive but should get one there.

[Sarah Hartfield]

Read this while training for a marathon, which of course I didn't end up running. However--very fun take on a training book. Includes playlists for each step of the plan.

[Caroline Grech · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ben is a good writer. I liked his self deprecating style and even after 13 marathons I found a few insights to remind me about why I run. Fun read.

[Sidney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely a couch-to-marathon guide. I took away some helpful tips but this is definitely geared towards beginner runners.

[Cindy Dyson Eitelman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny-ish and full of useful information. If I could only sustain the speed of my younger days, I'd try his training schedules. But, I fear, I'd be disappointed really quickly.

He structures the book around four races that you're going to do--a 5K, 10K, half-marathon and marathon. In a year. Sounds silly, no? But it's been done--and he's going to tell you how.

So each chapter starts off with a few weeks of training schedules--how many days to run, how much time to run and walk, how to balance the times spent running and walking. Later in the book he has to switch from time to distance as distance becomes more critical. Then each chapter goes off on a topic of interest. They're widely divergent but always important. There is talk of what to eat, of working your core, of Kenyan runners, of networking with other runners, and of motivation--always, motivation. At the end of each chapter is a list of inspiring music for the run, and often, interviews with the artists who recommended it. Some are runners--Willie Nelson, really?--but many are not. Fun stuff.

The reason I can't try his schedules is that when he says, "Run for six minutes," all I can muster is a fast jog. He even says "jog" from time to time, but I honestly think he's expecting people to start off doing eight-minute miles. The only way I could effectively use his schedules is to substitute my 'jog' for his 'walk' and then run like heck when he says to. But maybe I could...and maybe I will. Since I'm not yearning to run the marathon in a year, maybe I could stretch out his schedule a bit....

Wow--that right there tells you how inspiring this book is. It's actually making me want to try it out. I guess that means, highly recommended.

[Jo * Smut-Dickted * · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this narrative that was part memoir and part training plan - with lots of good advice thrown in. I think it's easy to read straight through - so if you are looking for what it would be like to train for a marathon this is a great book. It's not dry and boring...and the addition of music is more than welcomed and will have you reaching out to check out the tunes. This is a very unique book - there isn't another like it I've read and I've read quite a few running books. I found it inspiring and realistic (I'm training for a marathon) and I thought it was easy and engaging to read. I think, for a plan, I'll have to condense it down and put it in a spreadsheet to keep track (since I have it on Kindle). This is not for someone who wants to BQ probably - although no one is saying you couldn't by using this book - but this one really is for the rest of us who want to get out, get fit, overcome typical middle age barriers (high cholesterol, weight, blood pressure) and get a new lease on life!

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I did not use it as a training guide. I enjoyed the very real perspective on running, which is to say, there is good advice, but very practical. I found myself pacing my reading to not rush through it and be done. Now I have run my 1/2 marathon and I've finished the book. Musical selections are interesting.

[Jenneffer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Encouraging to read about racing the week I'm preparing for a race. This guy sounds like a guy I'd hang out with, and I liked his music pairings, even though I don't run with music. Nice, fun, not riveting, though.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very encouraging, inspiring, and informative. It gives you the information you need to know while still being an easy, fun read. To give my favourite run song, keeping with a running theme in the book (no pun intended): I love "You are a Runner, and I am My Father's Son" by Wolf Parade.

[Christian Hamaker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not essential, but the musician interviews set this apart among other books on running.

And who knows? Maybe I'll actually follow the training program and run that half marathon I've thought I might one day run.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspiring I am going to sign up for a 5k, and see if I can drag my sister with me.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining & motivating book - I actually put the book down at one point to do some core exercises. This would be a good gift for anyone who's just beginning to run (or wants to start).

[Tracy Schillemore · Rating 3 out of 5]

Your average running book. Nothing surprising but solid information.

[Ana Claudia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspiring.

[Heather R · Rating 4 out of 5]

I borrowed the e-book from the library, and I think it was one I might buy in hard copy to flip through and put post-its in.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gave me a better understanding of what my son is doing in preparation for running his first marathon.

[Claire · Rating 3 out of 5]

pretty fun blend of music journalism, running memoir, and training guide

[Carianne Carleo-Evangelist · Rating 4 out of 5]

I finished this on the day I finished my first four miler. I don't have any personal interest in running the marathon, Boston or otherwise, but I enjoyed Kaplan's journey. What sets this apart from other running reads is his music background. While I wasn't familiar with all artists, I like how he set the soundtrack to the training. Made it even more readable. Now someone please get the wonderful Jolene out of my head?