Me, You & 26.2: Coach Denise’s Guide to get YOU TO YOUR First Marathon

by Denise Sauriol

Don’t think you can run a marathon? This book is for YOU! Through her own experience completing over 100 marathons and from transforming hundreds of first-timers into many-time marathoners, Coach Denise Sauriol, a.k.a., the Marathon Whisperer, equates training for a marathon to taking a class. When you sign up for a class, you get a syllabus (training plan), you do your homework (training runs) and then you take your final (run the marathon), right? Training for a marathon is as methodical as taking a class. You just have to add heart! Signed up for a marathon and feeling SCITED (Scared + Excited)? This book is also for YOU! This book is all you need for running your first marathon. The chapters are laid out into 26 miles and kick off with a personal story of inspiration from a first-timer that Denise has coached. She has coached runners from 18 to 82 years old and she can help you too! Within each mile, she shares her tips, tricks and lessons learned from competing in over 250 races across 6 continents. Following these insightful and inspirational miles, you will find your syllabus for Marathoning 101. When was the last time you did something that you were SCITED about?! YOU too, can do 26.2!

154 pages, Paperback

Published August 22, 2018

Reviews

[Robin Larson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Coach Denise has the most infectious personality of anyone I’ve ever met - and that translates into her book!

Even though I’m not a first-timer anymore, I still got a TON of valuable information out of this book! I would highly recommend anyone who is training for their first marathon (or wants to start) read this book!

The only negative thing I can say about this book is the proofreading left a lot to be desired. Next book let me copy edit, Coach! 😄

[Margo Anos Andrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to this on audible, while ironing, driving, working out. While I will likely never run a marathon, I found this book to be uplifting, motivating and fun. The author, and narrator, was my cubemate for several years, in Corporate America, so hearing her voice again and hearing all her "Denise-isms "was a joy. Go get 'em Denise!
PS Gus (the Golden) and I have started jogging on our daily morning walks, due solely to your encouragement in my ear ;-)

[Nic · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an inspiring, motivational guide to running a first marathon. I gave it 3.5 stars due to the many typos throughout, however, if you're trying to run, this is the book to read. I think it's self published, so maybe she didn't have an editor? Hopefully, this book does well enough that she can write another, with a better editor, because I'd really love to hear more of her story. I'd bet that a running memoir of her racing career would be a big hit.

Five stars for the numerous, helpful marathon running tips! Everything from marathon training schedules, shoes and socks to wear, dressing for different weather conditions, nutrition and hydration, increasing speed, what to pack, and more, are all contained within this book. She's definitely passed the running bug onto me and I barely run! I'm actually tempted to sign up for a half marathon in the spring, that's how motivational this book is. With each chapter she shares a segment of advice and information from different first time marathoners she's coached. The enthusiasm is definitely contagious. The book is very well organized into 26 chapters to coincide with the 26.2 miles of a marathon.

I want to read more! This is a quick read, packed with information, but I want to know more about her running career. Denise has run 100 marathons, probably more by now. She's run a 100 mile marathon! I didn't even know there was such a thing and I'm in awe of that. How does anyone run 100 miles in one race?! Denise here, in this book, writes briefly, extremely briefly, about an accident she was involved in, where a car hit her, as she was walking toward the start line of a race. She seems to have had a complete recovery and is still running. One can see how she easily has the material for another book.

[Josh Peterson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Denise is so infectious in her positivity. Lots of great stuff in here for a first-time marathoner! 6/10

[Marjie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing, inspiring book for anyone who is even thinking about running a marathon. I find myself saying, "Coach Denise says..." on a regular basis. The audio version is read by Coach Denise herself, so you feel like she's right next to you, cheering you on!

[Scott Kummer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must read for first time marathoners. Denise is extremely knowledgeable and her enthusiasm and positive attitude shines in this book. It’s a quick easy read. A great gift for your first-time marathoning friend. It’s full of little tips and reflections as well as actual lessons learned by first timers.

This is the perfect primer on marathoning 101.

Bravo.

[Keri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Coach Denise’s book was so informative and inspirational! I loved her mix of information and stories from real life first time marathoners.

[Jodie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in one sitting. It was very eye opening and had so many great tips, tricks, and real-life first timer experiences. It talked to many different types of runners. Highly recommend!

[Denise Hatcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Me, You, and 26.2 is a fun book that captures the author’s love of the marathon. Instead of chapters, the book consists of twenty-six “miles.” A testimonial from a first-time marathoner follows each mile. The book concludes with four “aid stations.”

Denise’s book is filled with good advice and entertaining stories about her own marathon experiences. Her enthusiasm is contagious and once I started reading her book, I did not want to put it down. This is a good book to read, no matter your running background. I am thankful that I met Denise at a run event, and that social media has allowed us to stay in touch.

[Jacquelyn Casazza · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book for a first time marathoner or anyone curious about running!! Coach Denise has such a fun, positive vibe and you feel that come through in the book. I read this while training for my first marathon and it had me both very excited for the race as well as prepared. Training for marathon can feel overwhelming but it can also feel FUN and this book was a great reminder of that!! She has a wonderful outlook on life and is full of gratitude for the sport and the running community. Highly recommend!!!

[Edie · Rating 4 out of 5]

My longest run ever was the virtual Army 10 Miler in October, about a month ago. This book is giving me some inspiration to consider a marathon, or at least a half marathon. Running is helping me stay sane during the pandemic, and it is good for me, unlike chocolate and wine.

[Lan Nguyen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read, inspiring

This was a good book - it really got me excited about running my first race and it seems to be filled with great advice from both Denise and some of the runners she has coached. A lot of things to include in training beyond just the running bit.

[Starla · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really good book for those going for a first marathon. Her training plans are good, but add quite a number of miles very quickly. Overall a great book with tips of all sorts including stretching, hydrating, what shoes and clothes to wear. Great book!

[Colleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm training for running a half marathon, and im pretty much a beginner. I was interested in tips about running distance. This book met my expectations! Very encouraging and many practical tips. Includes 2 twelve-week training schedules in the back.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Could not have done my first marathon without Coach D and this book sums up all of her genius well! She is genuine, authentic, kind, and fun. All of which comes through this book. She is also insanely smart and savvy when it comes to running and this book contains all of the gems & magic she holds!

[Jessica S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great advice, very inspirational, and the training plan looks perfect.

[Becky Rowan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of helpful, practical information if you are running a marathon but not sure this is a book anyone else would want or need to pick up.

[Melanie Ford · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a GREAT book! Taught me so much about running before my first half marathon.

[Patty · Rating 3 out of 5]

All heart, just like the author. Listened via Audible and loved hearing Coach Denise sharing her “runspirations”.

[Bridgette Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved! Infectious energy and great tips for first time runners!