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The Complete Book of Running
Discusses not only the physical benefits of running, but its psychological benefits as well: increasing self-esteem, acquiring a "high" from running, and being able to cope better with pressure and tension. Yep, it still sells.
288 pages, Paperback
First published September 12, 1977
23 people are currently reading
656 people want to read
About the author
Jim Fixx
11 books6 followersJames Fuller Fixx was the author of the 1977 best-selling book, The Complete Book of Running. Best known as Jim Fixx, he is credited with helping start America's fitness revolution, popularizing the sport of running and demonstrating the health benefits of regular jogging.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
June 22, 2024
Back when I was young, I was NOT athletic.
I was a bookworm... a book addict who was living in a mind-forest of personal and public devils, whose impact was inescapable. Obtuse and maladroit, I just didn’t fit in.
For when I was in my teens, I had followed Dante into a Dark Wood, in which the shadows of evil were impenetrable - save by the twin lights of ethics and faith.
And that was only the Start of my Quest!
Now, anyone who embarks on such a journey is never really lost, for the Invisible Spirit is our constant guide - as an old man, it’s easy for me to see that, now.
But back then, it seemed anything BUT easy!
But, then - as if all that wasn’t enough - long after my university Sophomore Year ended, I was STILL writing essays...
It was an understanding: here’s your final mark, kid - now FINISH that essay! So my summer vacation that year was anything but - it was STRESS CITY.
One day, I drove with my dad through nearby deserted country roads. “Stop the car, Dad!” I blurted. He did.
I got out, and RAN MY HEART OUT, driven frantic by all the looming deadlines and personal devils - like dark, grinning hobgoblins all around me.
Later, exhausted, I found All my Worries had melted away.
I had discovered running!
Well, six years later, I met my Forever Soulmate.
By then I was a smoker - and she wasn’t! So I quit cold turkey (ha ha! Good luck, kid)...
The stress was Himalayan. But I remembered that summer break in college, and RAN. Every day during my office lunch hour. And I read this book.
But, dumb me, I didn’t read Fixx’s chapter on proper footwear. Numbskull! I developed knee problems...
Years later, I would tell my section head I had a Trick Knee. It went in and out of joint at will! Not often, mind you...
He just laughed.
Well, that same jocular section head gave me the perfect repartee to those cynics at work who, much earlier, had mocked James Fixx’s premature death as the end result of all his crazy running. My boss’ words?
‘Hindsight is 20/20!’
I’ll never forget that saying.
Such, also, are my memories, looking back now and thinking I could have done better, from the perspective of this Ivory Tower of Old Age! For, without all its serenity, it’s a poor judge of the past.
Our todays never see the intensity of our yesterdays!
As my wise boss might say if he were here...
‘Old people are a bit annoying, aren’t they?
They only THINK their Hindsight is 20/20!’
So if you’re at that stage in your life when all your devils are roaring at you from the bottom of the tree you’ve climbed up on your personal journey to Freedom...
Relax.
The Big Guy Upstairs is IN CHARGE of your little life!
And, with a little faith, one day you’ll reach all your Happily Ever Afters... and you’ll be saying like me and my ole buddy Robert Frost:
We took the Road Less Travelled by, and THAT has made All The Difference!
I was a bookworm... a book addict who was living in a mind-forest of personal and public devils, whose impact was inescapable. Obtuse and maladroit, I just didn’t fit in.
For when I was in my teens, I had followed Dante into a Dark Wood, in which the shadows of evil were impenetrable - save by the twin lights of ethics and faith.
And that was only the Start of my Quest!
Now, anyone who embarks on such a journey is never really lost, for the Invisible Spirit is our constant guide - as an old man, it’s easy for me to see that, now.
But back then, it seemed anything BUT easy!
But, then - as if all that wasn’t enough - long after my university Sophomore Year ended, I was STILL writing essays...
It was an understanding: here’s your final mark, kid - now FINISH that essay! So my summer vacation that year was anything but - it was STRESS CITY.
One day, I drove with my dad through nearby deserted country roads. “Stop the car, Dad!” I blurted. He did.
I got out, and RAN MY HEART OUT, driven frantic by all the looming deadlines and personal devils - like dark, grinning hobgoblins all around me.
Later, exhausted, I found All my Worries had melted away.
I had discovered running!
Well, six years later, I met my Forever Soulmate.
By then I was a smoker - and she wasn’t! So I quit cold turkey (ha ha! Good luck, kid)...
The stress was Himalayan. But I remembered that summer break in college, and RAN. Every day during my office lunch hour. And I read this book.
But, dumb me, I didn’t read Fixx’s chapter on proper footwear. Numbskull! I developed knee problems...
Years later, I would tell my section head I had a Trick Knee. It went in and out of joint at will! Not often, mind you...
He just laughed.
Well, that same jocular section head gave me the perfect repartee to those cynics at work who, much earlier, had mocked James Fixx’s premature death as the end result of all his crazy running. My boss’ words?
‘Hindsight is 20/20!’
I’ll never forget that saying.
Such, also, are my memories, looking back now and thinking I could have done better, from the perspective of this Ivory Tower of Old Age! For, without all its serenity, it’s a poor judge of the past.
Our todays never see the intensity of our yesterdays!
As my wise boss might say if he were here...
‘Old people are a bit annoying, aren’t they?
They only THINK their Hindsight is 20/20!’
So if you’re at that stage in your life when all your devils are roaring at you from the bottom of the tree you’ve climbed up on your personal journey to Freedom...
Relax.
The Big Guy Upstairs is IN CHARGE of your little life!
And, with a little faith, one day you’ll reach all your Happily Ever Afters... and you’ll be saying like me and my ole buddy Robert Frost:
We took the Road Less Travelled by, and THAT has made All The Difference!
April 2, 2011
A deliciously outdated book. Fixx wrote The Complete Book of Running in the seventies and therefore a lot of what he has to say is no longer accurate, which is a little amusing and sometimes even cute. His passion for running withstands the test of time though. And so does his ability to make his reader share in his excitement.
It is a wee bit ironic that Fixx adopted running as part of a healthy life style that would hopefully provide him with a longer and healthier life - his family had a history of dying early due to heart diseases - only to die from a heart attack when/after running, at 52. Sad.
Anyway, he did manage to make me run for an entire month or so, after which I discreetly fell back into my old blissfully lazy ways.
It is a wee bit ironic that Fixx adopted running as part of a healthy life style that would hopefully provide him with a longer and healthier life - his family had a history of dying early due to heart diseases - only to die from a heart attack when/after running, at 52. Sad.
Anyway, he did manage to make me run for an entire month or so, after which I discreetly fell back into my old blissfully lazy ways.
April 10, 2008
I love this book! It sounds like it may be boring (because running is boring), but if anyone is interested in starting a running program or competing in a race, it's full of great information and fascinating facts.
Like, for example, women may have an advantage to men in running long distance. Men don't have as much body fat, which you can pull on for fuel during a marathon.
There's a story about a woman who had diarreah during a marathon but kept running because she was going to win. She did win. But I bet it grossed out the people behind her. (I also read about this event in my other favorite book, "Marathon Woman", by Kathrine Switzer. I wonder if she hates that it's written about in so many books.)
There was another guy who was a runner his whole life, and died of cancer. They autopsied his body and concluded, he would have HAD to have died of something other than heart disease. His heart and lungs and veins and blood vessels and stuff were all in such good condition there was no possible way he could die related to them malfunctioning. Something else had to get him, like cancer did. So, if cancer is your preferred route of death, become a runner!
Like, for example, women may have an advantage to men in running long distance. Men don't have as much body fat, which you can pull on for fuel during a marathon.
There's a story about a woman who had diarreah during a marathon but kept running because she was going to win. She did win. But I bet it grossed out the people behind her. (I also read about this event in my other favorite book, "Marathon Woman", by Kathrine Switzer. I wonder if she hates that it's written about in so many books.)
There was another guy who was a runner his whole life, and died of cancer. They autopsied his body and concluded, he would have HAD to have died of something other than heart disease. His heart and lungs and veins and blood vessels and stuff were all in such good condition there was no possible way he could die related to them malfunctioning. Something else had to get him, like cancer did. So, if cancer is your preferred route of death, become a runner!
September 27, 2020
Boken Löpning (som den heter på svenska) är en mycket omfattande bok som behandlar ämnet löpning. Allt ifrån hur man ska ladda upp för, och disponera ett maraton, till vilka kläder man lämpligast klär sig i under kalla vinterdagar ryms i den här boken. Fixx lyckas med att ta tag i ämnet löpning på ett snyggt och nyanserat sätt där han beskriver alla fördelar men även några baksidor med träningsformen.
Troligtvis hade jag aldrig läst den här boken om det inte varit för min pappa som gav mig rekommendationen att läsa den. Det var en bra rekommendation då den lärde mig många nya saker samtidigt som den gav mig ett nytt sätt att se på löpning.
Det dåliga med boken skulle jag säga är att den idag har några år på nacken vilket gör att den del studier är utdaterade. Det är anmärkningsvärt hur lite man visste om kroppen och även löpning när den här boken skrevs vilket märks ibland i vissa delar.
I övrigt var detta en lärorik och till stor del underhållande bok om ett ämne som i många falla kan vara svårt att göra underhållande.
Troligtvis hade jag aldrig läst den här boken om det inte varit för min pappa som gav mig rekommendationen att läsa den. Det var en bra rekommendation då den lärde mig många nya saker samtidigt som den gav mig ett nytt sätt att se på löpning.
Det dåliga med boken skulle jag säga är att den idag har några år på nacken vilket gör att den del studier är utdaterade. Det är anmärkningsvärt hur lite man visste om kroppen och även löpning när den här boken skrevs vilket märks ibland i vissa delar.
I övrigt var detta en lärorik och till stor del underhållande bok om ett ämne som i många falla kan vara svårt att göra underhållande.
January 13, 2013
This book may be 35 years old, but most of the advice still stands... though it's amusing (read: heartbreaking) to see how the price of running shoes has changed!
March 30, 2025
Good book for its era. I can see why people freaked out when he died of a heart attack while running (there's a lot of focus in the book on running being good for people who have had heart attacks).
If I were reviewing it in 1977, I would have given it 5 stars, but we now know that some of his advice wasn't that good. For example, vegetarianism being superior. High carb, low fat eating. He said there was a study that compared meat eaters to carb eaters, and the carb eaters had more stamina.
I wondered if he was referring to that study that took men used to eating high carb (I think their jobs may have been pulling rickshas), divided them and fed half of them their typical diet and fed half of them meat - for one day - then discovered that the carb eaters have more stamina. Of course they did! It takes a while for the body to adjust to a low-carb diet. They should have given them different diets for a month, measuring their stamina daily.
And, of course, he would have had no idea that shoes can be a cause of runners' injuries because of the heel lift all traditional shoes have, as well as narrow toe boxes. Likewise, he would have known nothing about barefoot running or running in minimalist shoes.
To be honest, I didn't read the last three chapters because I found them boring (I did look at them briefly), and sped through the chapter on Runners World magazine.
If I were reviewing it in 1977, I would have given it 5 stars, but we now know that some of his advice wasn't that good. For example, vegetarianism being superior. High carb, low fat eating. He said there was a study that compared meat eaters to carb eaters, and the carb eaters had more stamina.
I wondered if he was referring to that study that took men used to eating high carb (I think their jobs may have been pulling rickshas), divided them and fed half of them their typical diet and fed half of them meat - for one day - then discovered that the carb eaters have more stamina. Of course they did! It takes a while for the body to adjust to a low-carb diet. They should have given them different diets for a month, measuring their stamina daily.
And, of course, he would have had no idea that shoes can be a cause of runners' injuries because of the heel lift all traditional shoes have, as well as narrow toe boxes. Likewise, he would have known nothing about barefoot running or running in minimalist shoes.
To be honest, I didn't read the last three chapters because I found them boring (I did look at them briefly), and sped through the chapter on Runners World magazine.
September 11, 2022
No one that follows me would like this book (Kristen possibly excluded)
December 11, 2017
This was a tremendous book!! It was as well written as “Born To Run” and in many ways is almost a precursor to it. I believe the author makes some errors based on his personal experience – the recommendation of running shoes – for instance, but on the whole, the entire book is a valuable resource which I look forward to re-reading and just using as a reference every now and then.
There is one paragraph I would like to quote at length. It has to do with why people run (why I, in particular, run): “Most people who have considered the matter have, I believe, posed the wrong question. They have asked why running produces such extraordinary effects. Putting the question that way elicits a certain kind of answer, and I think it is the wrong one. My suspicion is that the effects of running are not extraordinary at all, but quite ordinary. It is the other states, all other feelings, that are peculiar, for they are an abnegation of the way you and I are intended to feel. As runners, I think we reach directly back along the endless chain of history. We experience what we would have felt had we lived ten thousand years ago, eating fruits, nuts and vegetables, and keeping our hearts and lungs and muscles fit by constant movement. We are reasserting, as modern man seldom does, our kinship with ancient man, and even with the wild beasts that preceded him. This, I think, is our remarkable secret, one we share every time we go running.”
This is so close to the idea of man as the running predator, it is amazing to me it is not more widely recognized – particularly as Fixx’s book is over 30 years old!!
There is one paragraph I would like to quote at length. It has to do with why people run (why I, in particular, run): “Most people who have considered the matter have, I believe, posed the wrong question. They have asked why running produces such extraordinary effects. Putting the question that way elicits a certain kind of answer, and I think it is the wrong one. My suspicion is that the effects of running are not extraordinary at all, but quite ordinary. It is the other states, all other feelings, that are peculiar, for they are an abnegation of the way you and I are intended to feel. As runners, I think we reach directly back along the endless chain of history. We experience what we would have felt had we lived ten thousand years ago, eating fruits, nuts and vegetables, and keeping our hearts and lungs and muscles fit by constant movement. We are reasserting, as modern man seldom does, our kinship with ancient man, and even with the wild beasts that preceded him. This, I think, is our remarkable secret, one we share every time we go running.”
This is so close to the idea of man as the running predator, it is amazing to me it is not more widely recognized – particularly as Fixx’s book is over 30 years old!!
February 9, 2009
This has to be one of the most informative and motivating books about running on the market. I ran distance track in high school, and when I tried to get back into it a couple of years ago I found myself with absolutely no motivation. I happened upon this book at the library, and it quickly became one of my favorite running books. I eventually got back into running, and I think about this book on most of my runs. It is a complete guide that covers everything from what type of shoes to buy, to how to get yourself out the door and beyond the driveway, all the way up to running the Boston Marathon. Don't let the date scare you or make you think that the information presented here is outdated. Many of the techniques mentioned in this book were often employed by my track coach, and that was in 2001. It is an old book, but a good one - a classic, if you will, in the running world. Give it a chance.
April 17, 2011
This book has everything anyone needs to know about running. It talks about what to wear, different weather, where to run, how to train, etc. It is a very good motivator to start running! Every time I read it, I'd want to go out and run. Maybe it'll persuade me to run a marathon! :)
August 1, 2020
Seminal reading for runners. Some outdated information, but if you're trying to understand how you might evolve your running, you need to understand how thoughts have evolved on distance endurance running. Really enjoyed reading it!
November 9, 2009
I clearly date myself by stating that this book is responsible for the enthusiasm that I felt for running in the late '70's.
July 17, 2023
"I don't run. Human beings have only a limited supply of oxygen in their lives. Einstein never jogged".---Neil Armstrong
Believe the hype and the rumors. Back in the 1970s this book sold better than the Bible, and came with the decade, along with bell bottoms, disco and mood rings. In fact, this book reaching #1 and staying there forever, or so it seems, could only have happened in the 1970s. The revolution was over, or maybe never bothered to show up. Peace and love had not stopped the Viet Nam War, or any other war. Drugs did not expand our consciousness, merely turned us into saps. "Tune in, turn on, drop out" failed to take into account that the government, or our parents, (same thing) would punish us for all three. From Ireland to South America to Africa there was war. (Even Canada had a rebellion, for Christ's sake!) In North America the great middle class was through with wife swapping and secretly experimenting with marijuana. Their kids, that would be us, had lost all respect for their parental units. Then, along came James and told us how we could Fixx our ills. Out of the house and unto the pavement! No more causes, no pesky issues like civil rights to worry about, just concentrate on yourself, particularly your toes. (I have 12 toes on my feet, so running was/is harder for me than the rest of humanity.) We can still get high, it'll just be "runners high". We hadn't heard of dopamine in those days, but took Jim's word for it that our bodies naturally produced relaxers and uppers. Pretty soon all of us were "running on empty", kind of like Forrest Gump. We weren't going anywhere, and that was the whole purpose---to show that life has no purpose. If Fixx had called his book ZEN AND THE ART OF RUNNING the joke would have been perfect. COMPLETE RUNNING soon worked itself into the national mainstream. Two great films, MARATHON MAN, with Dustin Hofmann and AN UNMARRIED WOMAN, with Jill Claiburgh, used running to illustrate the lives, endangered life in the case of MARATHON, of the American urbanite. Jimmy Carter collapsed during a jog, thereby providing the perfect metaphor for his presidency. Equally fitting, Jim Fixx died of a heart attack while jogging in 1984, the year of the yuppie. It's a labor of love running yourself to death.
Believe the hype and the rumors. Back in the 1970s this book sold better than the Bible, and came with the decade, along with bell bottoms, disco and mood rings. In fact, this book reaching #1 and staying there forever, or so it seems, could only have happened in the 1970s. The revolution was over, or maybe never bothered to show up. Peace and love had not stopped the Viet Nam War, or any other war. Drugs did not expand our consciousness, merely turned us into saps. "Tune in, turn on, drop out" failed to take into account that the government, or our parents, (same thing) would punish us for all three. From Ireland to South America to Africa there was war. (Even Canada had a rebellion, for Christ's sake!) In North America the great middle class was through with wife swapping and secretly experimenting with marijuana. Their kids, that would be us, had lost all respect for their parental units. Then, along came James and told us how we could Fixx our ills. Out of the house and unto the pavement! No more causes, no pesky issues like civil rights to worry about, just concentrate on yourself, particularly your toes. (I have 12 toes on my feet, so running was/is harder for me than the rest of humanity.) We can still get high, it'll just be "runners high". We hadn't heard of dopamine in those days, but took Jim's word for it that our bodies naturally produced relaxers and uppers. Pretty soon all of us were "running on empty", kind of like Forrest Gump. We weren't going anywhere, and that was the whole purpose---to show that life has no purpose. If Fixx had called his book ZEN AND THE ART OF RUNNING the joke would have been perfect. COMPLETE RUNNING soon worked itself into the national mainstream. Two great films, MARATHON MAN, with Dustin Hofmann and AN UNMARRIED WOMAN, with Jill Claiburgh, used running to illustrate the lives, endangered life in the case of MARATHON, of the American urbanite. Jimmy Carter collapsed during a jog, thereby providing the perfect metaphor for his presidency. Equally fitting, Jim Fixx died of a heart attack while jogging in 1984, the year of the yuppie. It's a labor of love running yourself to death.
January 14, 2025
James F.Fixx’s The Complete Book of Running is a seminal work that delves into the transformative power of running, blending personal anecdotes, scientific research, and practical advice. Published in 1977, the book is as much a testament to Fixx’s love for the sport as it is a guide for newcomers and seasoned runners alike.
At its core, the book is about more than running; it’s about self-discovery and the pursuit of wellness. Fixx shares his personal journey from an overnight smoker to an avid runner, illustrating how running reshaped his body and mind. One memorable moment occurs early in the book when a passerby asked him “What do you gain by running?” to which Fixx responded with, “It makes you feel good!” (Fixx 2). This exchange underscored one of the book’s central themes: running isn’t just about physical health; it’s about joy and emotional well-being.
Fixx expertly weaves research into his narrative, presenting compelling evidence on the cardiovascular and psychological benefits of running. For example, he explains how running lowers the risk of heart disease, citing studies that show reduced blood pressure and improved cholesterol levels (Fixx 85). These scientific insights are paired with practical tips, such as how to choose the right shoes and structure a training plan, making the book accessible to readers of all fitness levels.
A particularly striking section discusses the mental resilience developed through running. Fixx writes, “Each mile you run is a triumph over adversity” (Fixx 173). This perspective resonated with me deeply, as it reframes running as a metaphor for life's struggles. His emphasis on perseverance and self-discipline reflects broader themes of human potential and the reward of consistent effort.
In conclusion, The Complete Book of Running is both inspiring and informative. James F.Fixx engaging storytelling and evidence-based approach make it a timeless resource for anyone seeking to improve their physical and mental health. While some of the scientific data may feel dated compared to modern research, the book’s core message, that running can profoundly change one’s life, remains as relevant today as ever. For those who love running or are considering starting to run, James F.Fixx’s Book is a must read.
At its core, the book is about more than running; it’s about self-discovery and the pursuit of wellness. Fixx shares his personal journey from an overnight smoker to an avid runner, illustrating how running reshaped his body and mind. One memorable moment occurs early in the book when a passerby asked him “What do you gain by running?” to which Fixx responded with, “It makes you feel good!” (Fixx 2). This exchange underscored one of the book’s central themes: running isn’t just about physical health; it’s about joy and emotional well-being.
Fixx expertly weaves research into his narrative, presenting compelling evidence on the cardiovascular and psychological benefits of running. For example, he explains how running lowers the risk of heart disease, citing studies that show reduced blood pressure and improved cholesterol levels (Fixx 85). These scientific insights are paired with practical tips, such as how to choose the right shoes and structure a training plan, making the book accessible to readers of all fitness levels.
A particularly striking section discusses the mental resilience developed through running. Fixx writes, “Each mile you run is a triumph over adversity” (Fixx 173). This perspective resonated with me deeply, as it reframes running as a metaphor for life's struggles. His emphasis on perseverance and self-discipline reflects broader themes of human potential and the reward of consistent effort.
In conclusion, The Complete Book of Running is both inspiring and informative. James F.Fixx engaging storytelling and evidence-based approach make it a timeless resource for anyone seeking to improve their physical and mental health. While some of the scientific data may feel dated compared to modern research, the book’s core message, that running can profoundly change one’s life, remains as relevant today as ever. For those who love running or are considering starting to run, James F.Fixx’s Book is a must read.
December 21, 2020
Such a fun, and interesting look back in time. With the discussion of budding concepts in the world of exercise physiology, running, and health it is fun to see how our understanding has changed. Fixx writes with humor and wit to keep you engaged. Running feels like childhood play when you read this book. For any running enthusiast or person interested in taking up running as a pass time or health, this book truly has it all. For those who want to take it easy to those who want to race, this book is equally intriguing. The breath of this book covers philosophy, mental health, physical health, competition, and companionship. Not to mention it is basically a living time capsule at this point, it is fun to look at how his predictions back then have played out now.
December 14, 2020
I read this book in the 70s and its a self help book to get you to want to run. The book is filled with lies about how you can achieve everything you want about your body by running. The kicker was women can increase their breast size by running. He said the fat would move away from the tummy and up to the breasts by running. It was insulting to be talked to like this. Jim Fixx's death from running seals the deal. This is a dangerous book.
July 24, 2018
The classic book that started the original running revolution of the late 70’s and early 80’s. This book got me running. When Jim Fixx died, I re-read the book as motivation to train for and qualify to run in the Boston Marathon. Although the material and advice is a little dated, it’s still a classic. His second book on running wasn’t as good as the first, but it’s a nice read too.
Read
June 7, 2022"Nonetheless, for those who like running's subtle and solitary pleasures, there is no sport like it" (Fixx 40). That's the main story of this book. It's a book for runners by a runner. The book is rather long and repeats its ideas many times but as a runner, I understood many of the ideas in it.
October 2, 2024
This was a book that was given to me by a fellow bibliophile who knew I was into running. A lot of it is outdated, and I focused on the sections that were relevant to me. Overall, despite the fact that significant strides have been made in sports medicine (and running mechanics), as a general overview to running from a passionate runner, this book is a good read.
July 2, 2025
It’s certainly interesting to read a book on running published more than 40 years ago and see both what attitudes and knowledge have changed, and how the pleasure found in running has stayed the same. It’s a fairly comprehensive read, obviously dated in some ways but still worth a look for a running enthusiast.
March 8, 2020
My high school Bible and I still have the painting my sister did of the cover. 45 years ago!
July 5, 2020
Actualmente mucha de la información contenida en el libro queda
July 19, 2020
作者的中心思想是：跑步是自己的事情，想跑多少就跑多少。如果出现运动损伤，最好去看运动医生，最好是这位医生自己也跑步，不然大多数医生只会让你不要继续跑了，而这对于一个跑者来说是非常痛苦的。至于跑步本身给人的影响除了生理上的，更多还有心理上的。当别人都认为你是一个疯子时，要坚持跑下去。
June 27, 2021
I believe jim fixx was an advocate for running, but then died of a heart attack and that confused people
November 10, 2022
Motivational, informative (if dated), enjoyable: makes me want to run even more.
June 3, 2023
The quality of this book is evident from how well it's aged. Written in late 1970s, much of it is still very relevant today.
July 30, 2024
Read to prepare for the Toronto Marathon.
January 22, 2012
The manifesto that started it all! A great inspiration for any beginning runner. Fixx's iconic guide details all the physical and psychological benefits of running. Though it will come across as a bit of a dated read today, running is such a basic sport that Fixx's advice holds up against more modern approaches to running.
My only criticism of Fixx's doctrine is the notion that a good runner ought to be noticeably skinny. I've known extreme runners who run themselves absolutely frail. But I've also noticed that long-distance running is all that they do. These types of guys get muscled around on the basketball court if they even dare to step on it. For me, running is a component of being a well-rounded athlete, and it works well with my mesomporh body type. Not everybody is meant to be a super-skinny long-distance runner, but I will agree with Fixx that running to a certain degree can benefit everybody.
I also give props to Fixx for giving night-runners their due. Much less traffic, fewer dogs to encounter & a great way to end the day! I'll never understand those who run during the morning or evening rush hour. Why contend with all that traffic and commotion?!
Fixx also shares his personal transformation from overweight smoker to dedicated runner. I first read this book as a senior in high school. Every few years I go back and read at least half of it. A must-read for any runner!
My only criticism of Fixx's doctrine is the notion that a good runner ought to be noticeably skinny. I've known extreme runners who run themselves absolutely frail. But I've also noticed that long-distance running is all that they do. These types of guys get muscled around on the basketball court if they even dare to step on it. For me, running is a component of being a well-rounded athlete, and it works well with my mesomporh body type. Not everybody is meant to be a super-skinny long-distance runner, but I will agree with Fixx that running to a certain degree can benefit everybody.
I also give props to Fixx for giving night-runners their due. Much less traffic, fewer dogs to encounter & a great way to end the day! I'll never understand those who run during the morning or evening rush hour. Why contend with all that traffic and commotion?!
Fixx also shares his personal transformation from overweight smoker to dedicated runner. I first read this book as a senior in high school. Every few years I go back and read at least half of it. A must-read for any runner!
June 24, 2012
An oldie but a goodie, I think. I was never a runner, and this is probably not the recommended order to do things, but it worked for me. I (1) signed up for a 5k 3 weeks before it, (2) started practicing my running every other day, (3) started reading this book about a week before the race. I found the book to be very encouraging for a beginning runner and would definitely recommend it. It was very motivational in terms of the benefits that regular running can give you. It had a lot of practical information. It gave you the experience of going along with someone while they ran the Boston Marathon. It had interesting historical tidbits. Like this: "Women were permitted to compete officially in the Boston Marathon in 1972. Before that officials were convinced they couldn't bear up under the punishment." Ha! So glad I am in a world today where it's hard to imagine that this was once even true!
It's great when you read a book at exactly the right time when you can be most receptive to the material. That's how this was for me! I guess I thought of reading this because I remembered everyone reading it when the running craze really got going back in the 70's. Try it! And start running!!
Just wanted to add that I really liked several of the points that he seemed to emphasize and reiterate: 1) listen to your body (as in when it is hurting), 2) everyone's body is different (what works for someone else may not be right for you), and especially 3) have fun!!!
It's great when you read a book at exactly the right time when you can be most receptive to the material. That's how this was for me! I guess I thought of reading this because I remembered everyone reading it when the running craze really got going back in the 70's. Try it! And start running!!
Just wanted to add that I really liked several of the points that he seemed to emphasize and reiterate: 1) listen to your body (as in when it is hurting), 2) everyone's body is different (what works for someone else may not be right for you), and especially 3) have fun!!!
April 18, 2013
It's funny reading this, 35 years after being published. References to East German athletic training, and advice on how to measure route distances before Google Maps and GPS (guesstimate by pace/time, use a car odometer, or a special tool attached to a bicycle). It's also probably wise to ignore any scientific or medical discussion, though I was amused to hear about Dr. J. E. Schmidt's Playboy article, "Jogging Can Kill You" (unfortunately, I can't find the original, but he appears in many newspaper articles from the time, made available by Google News).
Some things just don't change much, though. The general training discussion (LSD, intervals, speedplay/fartlek) and how to run in any weather could fit just as easily in a modern issue of Runner's World, just replacing some cotton garments with newer fabrics.
And what still applies just as much now as then is the philosophical side of things: the meditative nature of running, healthy addiction, and interviews with the top runners at the time on the whys and hows.
Some things just don't change much, though. The general training discussion (LSD, intervals, speedplay/fartlek) and how to run in any weather could fit just as easily in a modern issue of Runner's World, just replacing some cotton garments with newer fabrics.
And what still applies just as much now as then is the philosophical side of things: the meditative nature of running, healthy addiction, and interviews with the top runners at the time on the whys and hows.
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