Marathoner: What to Expect When Training for and Running a Marathon

by Matthew Huff, Bridget Quinn, Jayson Kayser (Illustrations)

Whether running your first or fiftieth marathon, Marathoner is everything you need to know about running a marathon. This is your go-to, illustrated reference that breaks down the race from start to finish line and beyond.

Marathoner is a celebration of running 26.2 miles and all the crazy, painful, shocking, and exhilarating moments that come along the way. Each of the 26.2 chapters (OK, 29, but that's not as fun) offers mile-by-mile insights and information helpful to all runners--from first-timer to veteran marathoner--including how to choose the right race with a guide to marathons around the world; prerace advice on how to train and prepare leading up to the race; how to approach the starting area; mile-by-mile advice on taking in fluids and sustenance; staying calm and loose during the long journey; tips for marathon bathroom emergencies; ways to handle "the wall" racers hit around Mile 20; and a postrace recovery food bucket list.

Just like a starting line wouldn't be complete without standing-room-only runners, Marathoner is also jam-
packed with myriad practical and entertaining factoids, making it indispensable as a gift for any runner. An analysis of starting-line traditions? Running playlists? The history and evolution of running shoes? Find your answers here!

Genres: Nonfiction

240 pages, Paperback

Published April 6, 2021

Reviews

[Matthew Huff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well I wrote it, so.....this review is a smidge biased

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great mix of descriptions, tips and advice about actually running a marathon mile by mile, and a wide variety of information about marathoners and the people that run them and operate them. So it is a quick and easy read that also has a lot of useful information without being overwhelming. More fun than actually running a marathon I am sure.

[Shelby Boyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow I don’t run marathons and I have no plans to. But this book almost convinced me, if only cuz the author clearly has a love for the ... sport? He brings enthusiasm and insight into the world of running and the facts and tidbits he shares are enough to capture anyone’s interest — even someone as allergic to long-form exercise as me.

[Emkoshka · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really fun guide to marathons and lavishly illustrated with photographs of real-life marathon runners running actual marathons! In these beginning stages of my running journey, I'm actually really obsessed with what runners wear while running and so I appreciated those photos so much. All I need is a sun visor and my outfit will be complete, mwahaha. The guide takes you through a marathon mile by mile, covering the essential stuff with some history, quirky facts and athlete profiles thrown in too. There was a bit too much American content for my liking, but I read and absorbed it all. I just wish I could erase from my memory the crucial advice that men should tape their nipples to avoid chafing which leads to bleeding. Ewww. I didn't need to know that, thanks!

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished reading it a second time, while training for my second marathon. (Like the author, Detroit was my first marathon!) I've read a ton of running books and this is one of my favorites. It is full of fun useful facts, and it was the only book I read that prepared me for the fact that the course would be an empty wasteland after 13.1 miles. Highly recommended, especially for first timers!

[Helen Li · Rating 5 out of 5]

- great marathon book that talks about many different aspects of runners experience during each mile
- really fun book to read with many interesting facts from runner's vocab, world records, and intro to some of the coolest marathons around the world
- personal favorite is the sharing of marathon run signs - hilarious.
- lots of pics too

[Sarah Turcotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read for anyone interested in taking up long-distance running. A pretty accurate representation of how a marathon goes down. Visually pleasing, great layout, humorous, informative, entertaining, inspiring and honest.

[SailingThroughThePages · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative and inspirational book for anyone planning to run a marathon. The author did a great job of adding in slight bits of humour to keep it light. The book is full of great information and tips to help you with your marathon journey.

[Kristen Iworsky · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really fun read.

[Kasey Thorne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Takes you through all the feels of each mile!