Runner's World Train Smart, Run Forever: How to Become a Fit and Healthy Lifelong Runner by Following The Innovative 7-Hour Workout Week

by Bill Pierce, Scott Murr, Runner's World

Genres: Nonfiction

321 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 4, 2017

Reviews

[Marilyn Wagner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good for me because I am in my sixties and have only been running since I was 50, but a younger runner would probably prefer the pace tables in the first book to the perceived effort charts in this book. I loved the first book and plan to gradually transfer to this book's running plans as I top out and can no longer improve my speed. This book is a little better at including cross-training and stretches into the daily plans.

[Nix C · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book and there is quite a bit of useful information included. I am also happy to do the 7 hours of exercise per week but I do not have access to the fitness machines and don’t have anywhere I’d feel safe cycling all out near me. I hoped the cross training would be recommended activities/exercises that I could do at home like the Strength and flexibility exercises are.

[CherylR · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good to read for aging runners

This was a good running book for aging runners or anyone wanting to lessen injuries. The FIRST program is unusual as they stress quality over quantity.

[Matthew Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative and encouraging

As I am new to running , this book really educated me on training and doing it safely. I will use many of the explained methods in my running life.

[Jim Mcateer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Makes a good attempt to make me cross train.

I am now more aware than ever of the importance of cross training. This book shows me how to avoid injury.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best train guide in print.

[Maryanne Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was definitely geared towards runners who are looking to marathon, improve their time, or looking to improve/maintain as they age. I'm a new/recreational runner so I felt that it included a fair amount of stuff not applicable to me.
As other reviewers mentioned, there was a fair amount of "want to go faster? lose weight."
It is a true statement but can definitely come off as fat shaming. Again, this book is not for newbies and if you are a competitive/driven runner who really wants to know the secret to improving competitively, losing weight is valid.

All that said, I really benefited from the section on which stretches to do and when (pre-run, post-run, cross-training days). If that is the only section you read - would still be worth at least borrowing it from the library.

[Amy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I loved the authors' previous book, "Run Less, Run Faster," and have been using its training plan successfully for years. So I had high hopes for this book. Unfortunately, this book has a lot of filler (for example: a chapter on why people like running marathons; a chapter on why you should hire a coach), with very little details on actual training. And the training plan itself is just a more generalized version of the "Run Less, Run Faster" plan. I understand that this book is primarily designed for the 40 year old and up runner, and I'm not quite there yet, but I still think this book is likely to disappoint many devotees of "Run Less, Run Faster."

[Allison M · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the information in the beginning of this book. I did not like the running plans, preferring the ones in Run Less, Run Faster.