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Running Strong: The Sports Doctor's Complete Guide to Staying Healthy and Injury-Free for Life
Step into my office if you want to run faster, stronger, and pain-free. Whether you’re a new runner training for your first race or an experienced marathoner, this cutting-edge book will keep you on the road and running faster. With comprehensive, illustrated information on running health and injury prevention, this book is the first to include embedded scan codes that lead readers to videos addressing such issues as shin splints, plantar fasciitis, stress fractures, and runner’s knee. Not only will runners be able to read about how they can treat and prevent hundreds of medical and nutritional issues, they’ll be able to walk into a top-level video consultation 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, from anywhere in the world!
320 pages, Paperback
First published March 31, 2015
111 people are currently reading
243 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
October 19, 2019
Found it very helpful, Great reference book... understand the fundamentals, strengthen your muscles and apply the recommended techniques
November 27, 2017
This is one of the better books on running that I've read so far. The author is a runner and a sports doctor, and there's a lot of information on how to identify various injuries, rehab and prevent them. I also really liked that he talks a lot about strength and mobility training to prevent injuries and his IronStrength program for runners is free online. (I'm sure he makes so much as a well-known NYC doctor that he can afford to give some information away free, but still he could charge for everything if he wanted to.) So you can watch him explain all the exercises he recommends and see them demonstrated online. He also talks a little about how to modify them if you need to.
The nutrition information is outmoded, which didn't surprise me. There's some very new work being done that this book couldn't reflect. And the e-book had links to videos where he talks more about various topics but as I was reading on my paperwhite Kindle I couldn't try them out. Still it was an interesting book that gets 3.5 stars.
The nutrition information is outmoded, which didn't surprise me. There's some very new work being done that this book couldn't reflect. And the e-book had links to videos where he talks more about various topics but as I was reading on my paperwhite Kindle I couldn't try them out. Still it was an interesting book that gets 3.5 stars.
June 21, 2021
Very useful and practical book.
Lot of emphasis on proper stretching, prevent injury and strength training which are essential if you looking to continually improve running performance. Lot of runners do not regard these elements important unless some hindrance to running performance happens.
Lot of emphasis on proper stretching, prevent injury and strength training which are essential if you looking to continually improve running performance. Lot of runners do not regard these elements important unless some hindrance to running performance happens.
December 16, 2015
Great book. Lots of info about running related injuries, with strength training ideas to help keep those injuries at bay.
December 4, 2020
if you are like me who is new to running or getting back to run after a long break. I would recommend this book. I am re-reading this book. I read in 2016 did not seem to comprehend most the information because I did not strength train back then I only ran. Now, after series of injuries I have come back to re-reading this book. Now, this makes absolute sense. I recommend this book to beginner to intermediate runners.
October 16, 2019
Great book and has help me diagnose various injuries picked up from sports and running and more importantly gives details of strengthening exercises to prevent and rehabilitate the body after injuries. The author is a runner and physician so knows what he is talking about. Only bugbear was the q codes didn’t work particularly well when trying to access the additional material.
August 16, 2024
Glossy pages with intro to multiple injuries and how to deal with them. Great for people seeking for injury related questions. Tremendous information about running mechanics, pain, stretches, workout exercises that suffice anything a runner would want to know. Couldn't read page by page but this is a book I'd go to when I have a mystery pain.
November 18, 2021
Good reference book about common running injuries and how to treat them.
The workout he recommends you do 1-2x/week - iron strength - is all explained for free on his website.
Otherwise a fair bit of self promotion.
The workout he recommends you do 1-2x/week - iron strength - is all explained for free on his website.
Otherwise a fair bit of self promotion.
May 26, 2017
A lot of great information. Wasn't able to help with the issues I had but did help me understand others. Will definitely use for reference again.
October 29, 2017
Helpful plans, from basic to advanced.
December 14, 2017
This is for someone that is brand new to either running or exercise.
April 29, 2019
Helpful book on basics of running with loads of suggestions on everything from nutrition to crosstraining program. Love section on foam rolling!
August 18, 2019
This is a good book written by a physician who runs. Good practical advice on running and how to injury proof your body.
May 24, 2021
Obviously nothing is one size fits all, and I think running every single day is probably a bad idea for most people, but there's lots of good stuff here!
October 3, 2016
I love this doc! Finally someone who doesn't discourage you, but the opposite. So, you should run even with some small pain, or discomfort. Unless the pain changes the way you run... then you should be cautious. Do you want to run a marathon in your eighties? Follow this book - strong muscles will help you.
The first part, about muscles, tendons and ligaments, is super-interesting. It was a page-turner like a good thriller! It goes from feet to the top through the whole kinetic chain. What are the functions, what some weakness will cause, what are the typical running injuries, what are the treatments.
"If you get injured, search up and down your kinetic chain for the cause."
The only thing I dislike? He way to often recommends some anti-inflammatories (like Ibuprofen). OK, the American way, I guess.
Closing chapters are not so interesting. I understand - if it's a doctor's book, the chapters about shoes and food are mandatory, but comparing to the anatomy chapters, quite boring.
The first part, about muscles, tendons and ligaments, is super-interesting. It was a page-turner like a good thriller! It goes from feet to the top through the whole kinetic chain. What are the functions, what some weakness will cause, what are the typical running injuries, what are the treatments.
"If you get injured, search up and down your kinetic chain for the cause."
The only thing I dislike? He way to often recommends some anti-inflammatories (like Ibuprofen). OK, the American way, I guess.
Closing chapters are not so interesting. I understand - if it's a doctor's book, the chapters about shoes and food are mandatory, but comparing to the anatomy chapters, quite boring.
February 10, 2017
exactly what i needed - and in conjunction with his video worked out very well for me.
September 5, 2015
I'm a fan of the good Dr. here. Enjoy his fitness workout DVD. Well enjoy might be too strong a word, thing kicks my ass on a regular basis.
Here there are some very good recommendations. My main issue is that all the running injuries I've had don't appear in here. I've got a pes anserinus tendinitis issue and had also a bone bruise on the metatarsals..so there is some info but not a ton. If you've got a "normal" running injury (more run of the mill) you'll find help here but you can also find it all over the internet. I found more about my injury over on Athletes Helping Athletes blog (including a full rehab plan) then in this book. So it's a good reference to have for many reasons -- but I have struck out twice on my issues for specific injuries.
Here there are some very good recommendations. My main issue is that all the running injuries I've had don't appear in here. I've got a pes anserinus tendinitis issue and had also a bone bruise on the metatarsals..so there is some info but not a ton. If you've got a "normal" running injury (more run of the mill) you'll find help here but you can also find it all over the internet. I found more about my injury over on Athletes Helping Athletes blog (including a full rehab plan) then in this book. So it's a good reference to have for many reasons -- but I have struck out twice on my issues for specific injuries.
October 22, 2015
Being a fairly constant mid-range amateur runner, I have read several books on running, mostly on training techniques, a few philosophic rumination by runners. This book is a pure technique book, smartly composed, with clear and color anatomic graphics for major components. It is user-friendly while relatively sparse with solipsistic references (although it is unavoidable in such genre in order to establish author's credibility), and only mild chattiness. The book is nicely laid out, easy for reference, and color coded. The imperfection comes from its conventional nutritional advices of stern dietary fat warning.
A very useful reference book for a runner who may be looking for improvement in performance or avoidance of injury.
A very useful reference book for a runner who may be looking for improvement in performance or avoidance of injury.
June 25, 2015
Lots of useful info in here for runners, whether new or seasoned. The cross-training regimen seems very promising, and the recommendations for foam rolling have already helped me.
The only thing I would change is the organization, which seems a little backwards in spots. I recommend skipping the section on injuries at first, instead reading the sections on body work and tools, then circle back to the part on injuries (it's presented more like reference material than narrative anyway).
The only thing I would change is the organization, which seems a little backwards in spots. I recommend skipping the section on injuries at first, instead reading the sections on body work and tools, then circle back to the part on injuries (it's presented more like reference material than narrative anyway).
July 19, 2015
This is a fantastic book for new and advanced runners of all different abilities. I recently started doing races and running seriously and was looking for advice for improving my pace and PRs. He gives great explanations and rationales for exercises, nutrition, stretches, and preventative care for runners. He has diagrams and also links to videos that are simple and more importantly informative!
I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to run safely and efficiently!
I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to run safely and efficiently!
March 12, 2016
This guy is simply awesome! Being a sports medicine Dr and an athlete himself, he explains lucidly the biomechanics involved, what it means to get hurt in a particular region while running, when does it happen and how to prevent it. The best part I totally loved about his approach is exercise medication and the ironman workout routine he prescribes.
Highly recommended for beginner runners and for those who wish to run injury free!
Highly recommended for beginner runners and for those who wish to run injury free!
January 9, 2016
A comprehensive, practical guide written in layman's terms to pin point what has been going on with the "pain in my butt" that has been going on for the last couple years. Dr Metzl has also convinced me that running strength workouts are essential to my overall running health. His video's on his website are a perfect combination with the advice and expertise in his book.
June 19, 2018
Beautiful illustrations. Great if you are new to running. A really nice go-to guide
December 29, 2015
Great read
Great read for runners, at any level. Easy to read, and packed full of awesome information. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in running.
Great read for runners, at any level. Easy to read, and packed full of awesome information. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in running.
March 2, 2016
Great info on how to deal with minor running injuries. Also a great workout plan for building strength that will help improve your running and prevent injuries. A great reference!
August 13, 2016
Good book and easy to read and well organized. The best part is easily the IronStrength workout itself, which you can also find with a quick Google search if you're pressed for time.
November 13, 2016
Awesome book!!! cover everything in detail!! :)
January 5, 2017
Brilliant to find a running book that emphasises the importance of doing not just running but also strength work!
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews