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Beginner's Luck Guide for Non-Runners

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Are you a complete beginner at running who wants to finally learn how to do it? Did you skive PE whenever it was time for cross country? Do you find that you get out of breath really quickly whenever you’ve tried to run in the past?

Deciding to learn how to run takes guts, as you embark on a journey that you are confident will involve a large degree of discomfort. You may have tried and failed in the past to make running stick, but never the less you are determined to master it.

You may tell yourself that “running is hard”, or “I’m just not a runner”, but the truth is that anybody can learn to run if they have the right approach.
You will likely have many questions; “how do I build up my running distance?”, “how do I stay motivated to run?”, “how do I warm up and cool down?”.

All of these and more are covered off within the pages of this book along with a step by step guide to building up your running to 60 minutes.

There is more to learning how to run than just going out and seeing how far you can go three days a week. Some people will undoubtedly have success with this method, but for most beginner runners it takes a little more guidance and support to truly master the art of running.

More and more beginners are deciding to take their first steps and learn how to run. Races are popping up all over the place geared towards beginner runners and it remains one of the most accessible sports around.

Learning how to run should be a fun and rewarding experience in itself, not just a means to achieve a goal. Beginner’s Luck is a complete program that teaches you everything you need to build your confidence as a runner.

The program itself removes the pressure of having to stick rigidly to a set rate of progress, and instead allows you to progress at your own pace.

If you are a beginner runner who would like to learn how to run for up to an hour AND surprise yourself as to how easy it really is, get Beginner’s Luck and start out on your journey today.

96 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 31, 2013

269 people are currently reading
90 people want to read

About the author

George Anderson

184 books19 followers

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5 stars
101 (31%)
4 stars
119 (37%)
3 stars
77 (24%)
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16 (5%)
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6 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
Profile Image for Lance.
1,658 reviews162 followers
January 3, 2023
This is a great resource for those who either want to begin running (no matter the reasons) or for those like me who did so many years ago, but because of either lack of interest or injury want to get back into running. The interval programs, named for cats, is great - in the week 1 Bobcat program now. There are also tips on nutrition, stretching, and equipment among other topics. I wanted to get back into the sport and this book is a great one to use.
Profile Image for Pamela.
83 reviews1 follower
August 5, 2018
Easy reading and easy to follow

Good size chapters explaining aspects of running and the reasons behind running slow. Gives a good and different perspective of how to start running and what to concentrate on.
Lots of references to refer for further learning.
Has inspired me to start again, properly this time!
Profile Image for Annamarie Morgan.
35 reviews
March 20, 2018
Great book if you are thinking of taking up running. Lots of good advice, hints and tips. You can also access George's blog and challenges. There is a printable Progress sheet and other helpful printables. I am hoping to try the running challenge soon.
Profile Image for Lin F.
296 reviews
March 20, 2023
I discovered this book because of a fellow reader (thanks, Lance!) who posted about it here on Goodreads. I had been wanting something to help get me in shape for the upcoming summer of hiking and backpacking, and I was ready to get outside and not strictly ride my Peloton for exercise.

This book covers all the basics about getting into running, including shoes and gear, stretches, motivation, and running technique. For those that advance through the program, Anderson includes some introductory information on running faster and trying a race.

The thing I like the best, though, is the running plan. It's all focused on how long (time) you run, not how far or how fast you go. The idea of the plan is that if you complete the 10 levels, you can comfortably run (jog) for an hour nonstop. I am currently nearing the end of the second level and have found it to be very doable so far. I would say that I was of average fitness when I began. I don't know if I care about being able to run for a solid hour, but I'd like to get to a fitness level of running for 30 -45 minutes straight through. The plan is set up to run three times a week, but it can be stretched out longer, which I've had to do because of some major winter weather during the past month.

I'm looking forward to continuing through the levels and watching my overall fitness improve.
Profile Image for Ashley Manley.
Author 5 books440 followers
January 12, 2025
In theory this book did what it needed to do, but will I actually run? Stay tuned.
Profile Image for Tamera.
11 reviews
May 16, 2022
Exactly what I wanted being s newbie...

I love that he is real..he covers everything in short, to the point sections that cover everything you need to get out and run. I LOVE that it is done at your own pace and you move on when you have accomplished the day or week you are on.. I am currently on week 1 (10 week program, again , at your own pace so could take longer)
This book is for AnYONE who is run curious, or thinks they cannot due to size or age, and totally for someone who ran but been a while, this will get you back in. I look fiward to this journey and so happy I read this first..perfect foundation
Profile Image for Em.
12 reviews
December 16, 2024
I liked the running program overall as a very newbie runner. But the nutrition advice was appalling. “Stay away from sugar, stop eating processed foods, eat your vegetables raw, no one’s digestive system likes gluten.” Come on now buddy, where’s the links to these studies and science? Even going on to say it doesn’t matter if you eat after a run. What? The program itself is decent but other than that it’s a bit of a dud. And don’t waste your time looking up any of the resources in the back of the book, all of the links are broken.
Profile Image for Claire Milne.
463 reviews2 followers
August 1, 2018
Nice little book on kindle

Picked up some good advice. Already started a running programme so would have to determine where I started on this. Did feel like I was been told to spend money on more things, particularly compared to last book I read.
8 reviews
December 29, 2021
Alright for an introduction

It was a short introduction to running. It discusses the very basics. So possibly helpful for the absolute beginner.
I was looking for something more though.
Links at the end don’t seem to work either.
Profile Image for Joey.
50 reviews5 followers
October 3, 2024
This book had a lot of practical information and guidance and went straight to the point of what you need to know and what will make a difference to the running experience. As a beginner I found this very helpful and I really enjoyed it.
20 reviews1 follower
August 19, 2019
none of the links now seem to work but I liked some of the advice - I am not a non-runner but a runner wanting to improve
Profile Image for Courtney.
15 reviews3 followers
August 29, 2020
Good book for getting started running or rebuilding a great base. Even though I’ve ran for several years I still picked up a lot of good pointers.
25 reviews33 followers
October 15, 2020
Quick read, easy advice, nonthreatening stepped program. I never felt like I could run, so looking forward to trying with this guide.
Profile Image for Amy Fly.
75 reviews4 followers
May 1, 2021
Encouraging and insightful

Makes you think...maybe I can do this! Great stuff to learn for a beginner runner. There’s a companion website and Facebook group too.
Profile Image for Seawood.
1,051 reviews
March 7, 2015
Meh. Started out well enough, with some useful info - if you've ever wondered why your running mates go loopy over compression socks and foam rollers, this is a handy read, and I will be following up a couple of book recommendations on the mental aspects of running. It fell down a bit on the nutrition section - a bit trendy low-carb/paleo tendency for me and light on the evidence for avoiding gluten. I already have a running plan so I can't speak for that area, but I couldn't be doing with the daft names for the weeks of training - which are still numbered, thus undermining the assertion that numbering causes too much pressure. Still, it may be the droid you are looking for.
Profile Image for Shannon.
120 reviews25 followers
July 23, 2016
As someone who has tried and given up on running many times before, I thought I'd try this book based on positive reviews. It has made me feel a new surge of motivation and confidence in my ability to run, and has an abundance of helpful tips for non-runners. I would really recommend it if you want to start running but have been easily deterred in the past.
Profile Image for Morag.
62 reviews2 followers
October 23, 2016
Some interesting nuggets of information. I like that the author isn't trying to push gimmicky gadgets or diets. He covers these and always end with "but you don't need that to get started". I haven't started the programme yet so can't comment on its efficacy but I do think the idea of running very, very slowly (The Golden Key as he annoyingly calls it) will be helpful.
Profile Image for Michelle Spiking.
15 reviews
January 19, 2014
fantastic book to give a non runner the enthusiasm to want to run. as a runner I enjoyed learning heaps about how to treat running as a pleasurable 'me time'. want motivation... its a must read!
Profile Image for Mykola Shlapak.
26 reviews4 followers
June 12, 2014
Гарна книга для тих, хто тільки хоче почати бігати. Автор обіцяє, що навчитесь бігати з нуля до години безперервного бігу.
Profile Image for Helen.
20 reviews15 followers
August 31, 2014
Great book for beginner runners like me. I am following the programme, and it is actually enabling me to run a little way, building it up every week.
Profile Image for Emma Cassidy.
2 reviews
January 4, 2016
great book for new runners. good tips to prolong runs... the golden key is working for me. overall it's a great motivational read.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews

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