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Be A Better Runner: A Complete Guide for the Running Enthusiast-improve your stride, avoid injuries, get the hottest equipment, train effectively for any race-and run far by Sally Edwards (24-Mar-2011) Paperback
Written by marathoner and Triathlon Hall of Fame inductee, Sally Edwards, Be A Better Runner addresses every possible concern from posture and form to nutrition, footwear and race strategy. You’ll learn how to adapt running mechanics such as stride and pacing to your body type and fitness level while specific training regimens prepare you for any type of running event including sprints, distance runs, and marathons. Co-authored with Carl Foster, the former President of the American College of Sports Medicine, Be A Better Runner Every features the latest research in the science of running. You’ll learn the latest strategies to boost your performance, train more effectively, and aid post-workout recovery. The latest research on special concerns such as running after age 40, during pregnancy, overtraining in younger runners and preventing amenorrhoea in female distance runners is also highlighted.
- GenresNonfiction
Paperback
First published January 1, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
June 23, 2016
This book is filled with many interesting ideas for training. Actually it brought me back to a lot of the original approaches that worked well for me when I first started out. It's amazing how the old ways often turn out to be the best ways.
I really like the idea of training less, but focusing on giving a hard effort, REALLY HARD effort, on hard days. I had never heard of the Black Hole in training, but it makes so much sense. Training just hard enough that you feel like you're doing hard work, but not working hard enough to make any real growth cardiovascularly. The Black Hole is also dangerous because it's not easy enough to let your body truly rest and recuperate. It's crazy, but before reading this book, I probably trained in the Black Hole over half the time! According to the authors this zone is to be avoided almost exclusively. All training zones are measured by heart rate, and all your heart rate zones are predicated on your own personal heart rate threshold. This threshold is found just above your comfort zone, where you first begin to have difficulty running and talking easily. Like I said, this book changed my thinking in a myriad of areas!
I also was refreshed to come across the idea of sticking to an every other day, easy-hard-easy training pattern. I had gotten into the mind-set of MILES-MILES-MILES, running many two and three day stretches at a time. I was often pushing myself to five and six days a week, yet not really pushing hard on any specific training days. Yes, I have been making gains, but a plateau was looming on the horizon. I am anxious to enact some of the key training strategies of periodization and increasing difficulty level, found in this book.
Another key emphasis in this book is the use of easy cross-training on your off days. After chewing on this idea for awhile, I immediately went out and bought a bike. I have begun to use it on my off days. Cross training can be fun, refreshing, and beneficial.
I'm excited to see where this all leads! This book is definitely worth a read for any runner looking for a recharge and fresh approaches.
I really like the idea of training less, but focusing on giving a hard effort, REALLY HARD effort, on hard days. I had never heard of the Black Hole in training, but it makes so much sense. Training just hard enough that you feel like you're doing hard work, but not working hard enough to make any real growth cardiovascularly. The Black Hole is also dangerous because it's not easy enough to let your body truly rest and recuperate. It's crazy, but before reading this book, I probably trained in the Black Hole over half the time! According to the authors this zone is to be avoided almost exclusively. All training zones are measured by heart rate, and all your heart rate zones are predicated on your own personal heart rate threshold. This threshold is found just above your comfort zone, where you first begin to have difficulty running and talking easily. Like I said, this book changed my thinking in a myriad of areas!
I also was refreshed to come across the idea of sticking to an every other day, easy-hard-easy training pattern. I had gotten into the mind-set of MILES-MILES-MILES, running many two and three day stretches at a time. I was often pushing myself to five and six days a week, yet not really pushing hard on any specific training days. Yes, I have been making gains, but a plateau was looming on the horizon. I am anxious to enact some of the key training strategies of periodization and increasing difficulty level, found in this book.
Another key emphasis in this book is the use of easy cross-training on your off days. After chewing on this idea for awhile, I immediately went out and bought a bike. I have begun to use it on my off days. Cross training can be fun, refreshing, and beneficial.
I'm excited to see where this all leads! This book is definitely worth a read for any runner looking for a recharge and fresh approaches.
March 2, 2019
This is a training manual, so I will rate it as such-in other words it's not very exciting. However, there is a lot of good and useful information in this book. I have been fooling around with "running" (really trudging/jogging) for the last few years and finally want to get a little bit serious, maybe even run a 10K race. Although the author never misses a chance to laud her own acheivements (I guess I would too if I had run 100miles in the desert or completed an IronWoman Triathlon!) she also provides some useful tips and training plans for those of us just starting out. I'm going to try her training plan for the 10K and see how it works-why not?
Post-script: I started the 10K training program on Jan 1, 2019 and now, after 8 weeks, I can run 10k! So it works! Now on to the 10 week half-marathon training program to be ready for a half-marathon in July.
Post-script: I started the 10K training program on Jan 1, 2019 and now, after 8 weeks, I can run 10k! So it works! Now on to the 10 week half-marathon training program to be ready for a half-marathon in July.
May 8, 2016
I came across a lot of useful information in this book especially the heart rate monitor. I have seen some runners with a black strap around their rib cage while running and heard people talk about their heart bpm while running but never really got what on earth they are talking about until reading this book today.
I brought a monitor after getting this book and started running based on the heart beats. Prior to this the training I did was based on running speed or distance but now its based on different heart rate zones which helped my running immensely.
I just ran a 10k where I dint felt stressful at all after the run as I ran in zone 4. That feeling at the end of 10k is amazing and would continue to train on HZT points.
I brought a monitor after getting this book and started running based on the heart beats. Prior to this the training I did was based on running speed or distance but now its based on different heart rate zones which helped my running immensely.
I just ran a 10k where I dint felt stressful at all after the run as I ran in zone 4. That feeling at the end of 10k is amazing and would continue to train on HZT points.
July 26, 2013
I think this book can be helpful to any runner, particularly if you're thinking about running competitively. (I don't seriously compete, but I enjoy distance races.) I like the concept of training based on heart rate zones and thought Edwards provided a great deal of useful information to help runners design a more effective training program. The two big lessons I took away from this are (1) cross train and (2) alternate hard and easy workouts for adequate conditioning and recovery. My primary complaint about this book is that the editors could have done better job proofreading before it went to print.
April 25, 2011
Also called Be a Better Runner (that is the version I read). Offers excellent advice for the self-coached athlete. Has great tips for runners and multi-sport athletes with easy-to-follow workouts and training plans. Has plenty of information on heart-rate training but still valuable for those that don't use HR. I've read a lot of books on running/triathlon training, this is one of the best.
Amazon link http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/15923...
Amazon link http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/15923...
November 12, 2015
Eh, anytime I read about some research that will completely discredit calories-in-calories-out, I want to throw the book out the window. I'm sure it's even true -- counting calories is not exact -- but it misses the point entirely. For 99% of people who count calories, it will be good enough. They will lose weight and be a better athlete. For the elite athletes who need to pay more attention to body recomp etc, they may need to research in a little more detail. Saying calories-in-calories-out is discredited just confuses people who already think weight loss is incomprehensible.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 21, 2013
Exhausting. Took all the fun out of running... For fun. Recommend to career runners only.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews