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The Essential Runner
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
May 1, 2018
4 stars, but I'll round it up to 5 because I think it deserves more love than it gets. My mother lent me this book when she overheard me talking to my sister-in-law about how I'm trying to learn how to run (because my cardio is weaker than weak). I was a bit hesitant because it's over 20 years old, but I was very pleasantly surprised by how helpful it was. It didn't read like a book from the 90s; in fact, I really loved the author's casual, but informative voice. It felt like I was just having a conversation with someone in the field who was also very down-to-earth.
Things I found particularly helpful:
- What to expect as a brand new runner (e.g. you will be out of breath and feel like you're dying, you may not be able to run long or far, don't overexert yourself in your eagerness, walking is good!)
- What to look for in a shoe (with helpful illustrations)
- Common biological/genetic feet problems that can cause injuries and how to figure out if you have them
- How to breath properly and why you feel like you're dying in the beginning
- How your body uses its food supply when running (i.e. sugar goes first, then carbs, then fat)
- Why the 20 minute mark is the hardest
Some things are a little out of date, like the food pyramid chapter; but even that wasn't wholly un-useful.
I would recommend this for someone like me, who has never run in their life. If you are already a casual to serious runner, you probably will not find this as helpful.
Things I found particularly helpful:
- What to expect as a brand new runner (e.g. you will be out of breath and feel like you're dying, you may not be able to run long or far, don't overexert yourself in your eagerness, walking is good!)
- What to look for in a shoe (with helpful illustrations)
- Common biological/genetic feet problems that can cause injuries and how to figure out if you have them
- How to breath properly and why you feel like you're dying in the beginning
- How your body uses its food supply when running (i.e. sugar goes first, then carbs, then fat)
- Why the 20 minute mark is the hardest
Some things are a little out of date, like the food pyramid chapter; but even that wasn't wholly un-useful.
I would recommend this for someone like me, who has never run in their life. If you are already a casual to serious runner, you probably will not find this as helpful.
Displaying 1 of 1 review