Runner's World Complete Book of Beginning Running

by Amby Burfoot

Runner's World Complete Book of Beginning Running by Amby Burfoot is the newest addition to the heralded Runner's World series focuses exclusively on the concerns of the tens of thousands of new runners who take up the sport every year.

Recognizing that newcomers to a sport need all the help they can get, Runner's World now devotes an entire book to guiding the beginning runner through those challenging first days, weeks, and months. Peppered throughout with motivating tips and advice from those who have been there, this much-needed volume presents a can't-fail program that is sure to help new runners feel and look better and have more energy and less stress. Inside you'll
o Information on nutrition and how to adjust your diet to fit your new running lifestyle
o Training advice, including how to use cross-training, stretching, and strength exercises to keep enthusiasm up, weight down, and fitness at an optimum level
o A special section for women runners

Written by the executive editor of Runner's World magazine and covering every problem the new runner may encounter-from choosing the right shoes to preventing injury to preparing for a race-this authoritative volume provides all the information and inspiration any novice requires to turn running into a healthy, lifetime pursuit.

Genres: Nonfiction, Health, Fitness, Sports, Self Help

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 7, 2005

Reviews

[Laura H L · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this up because I have been focusing on my health and wanted to figure out how to ease into jogging safely as a person who is closer to 60 than 50. I found that the book was pretty easy to follow, offered some good tips and a realistic training plan (24 weeks) for someone trying to gradually work up to a 5k and possibly beyond.

[Lucy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this as a newbie, lots of good tips which I am hoping means I will actually enjoy running rather than dread it!

[Gwen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read this book several times and each time I get something new. It always helps to motivate me when I start a new running program and plus it helps to get my motivation back when I'm feeling a little behind in wanting to run again. I especially like the training programs they have set up in the back for those who are starting out running. All of it is so helpful.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the rare (very rare - I've looked really hard) beginner's book that is actually for beginners. Most of them assume you've run before. Which is a weird meaning of "beginner". The training plan is reasonable and easy to follow.

[Bill Glose · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredible, essential guide for any runner, whether you're training for a race or simply running for pure joy. Packed with helpful hints and training plans, the book collects the wisdom of some of the world's best runners and distills it into an easy-to-follow and inspirational guide.

[Matt Daniels · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great information, gets redundant at times.

[Dylan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Somewhat outdated and a little repetitive, but provided some good motivation. I liked the training programs at the end the best.

[CherylR · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very comprehensive book for the beginning runner.

[Kylie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is for absolute beginners. I wouldn't bother with it too much if you have completed a 5K. I enjoyed the nutrition section, and it was helpful since I don't always eat the way I should.

[Emily Mellow · Rating 2 out of 5]

A book of lists, really. Many of them redundant.
Might be helpful if you're starting from zero but there are just so many better books about running.

[Cassandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick read, lots of list

[Aj · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been running for under a year and have completed 1 5K and have a 5-miler in a few weeks. I've also had a knee injury already and had to deal with surgery (un-related to the knee injury or running). AND I'm a full time grad student and work part-time. Needless to say it can be hard to be motivated and stay committed, let alone develop an effective training program. I read this book and took notes in my training log. I think it will be a useful resource for improving my strength, endurance, speed, and technique. AND to help stay motivated - the hardest task of all. I found the techniques to be applicable to even the most beginning runners - but modifiable for far more advanced runners. And the beauty of this sport, after all, is that mastering the basics and then building on them, is all you need. The motivational advice can seem a bit cliche, but as we say in psychology, a placebo effect is still an effect. I'll take what works, even if it's just common sense. Even with my note-taking, I see myself returning to the text. If only for the motivation...just put down the book and go for a run!

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I already mentioned much of what I wanted to say in my comment back to Dan, but I'll say it again: this book made me even more excited to be a runner. I found the sections about improving your running to be especially helpful, and plan to incorporate some of the training plans into my running once my mini-marathon training is over. As someone who cares about food as well, it was heartening to see an emphasis placed on healthy eating. The food advice this book gave was good, solid advice: to eat a well-balanced diet, to pay attention to what you eat, when you eat it, etc., to look for vegetarian options where possible -- it made me think that runners and foodies should get together. I don't really recommend this book unless you are interested in beginning to run or have just started running in the past year or two -- but if you're in that category, it's a winner!

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Burfoot, a big name in the running field because of his work as editor-at-large of Runner's World magazine, put together an epic book of beginning running. While none of the material is different from what you would find scattered around the RW Web site or on various running blogs, it's nicely put together in an easily accessible format. The tips and motivations in this book are great, and I really appreciated the section on injury prevention.

For anyone who is starting to run or is interested in running—the right way, without overextending yourself and your capabilities—this is a fantastic book.

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've started running as of the first of 2009. I got the book to at a minimum sit on the coffee table and remind me of my commitment. It's a big book. I'm not sure why. Beginners can't begin to need all that's in the book, but I've skimmed through chapters and found a good bit of what seems to be relevant to actual beginning runners and not intermediate runners. There's a lot of repetition in overlapping chapters, but that's not all bad as it acts as review.

[David · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just started a weekly 5km fun run and thought I would flick through a few books for some hints. (To reduce the appearance of being an over heated dying fish flopping on the ground at the end of the race). This gives the appearance of being more of a motivational book than a "how to" book. Maybe useful for those who want to take the idea of running more seriously but have trouble getting out of a bean bag

[Becca · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really like how the author seems to be encouraging the reader -- no pressure sales or guilt, just "you can do it" and "well, if it didn't work, try it again!" I was going to just read this book and then return it but, from page 1, I can definitely see myself going back to this book time and time again.

[Morgan Salvador · Rating 4 out of 5]

While disorganized and repetitious, this book did contain great information for beginner runners like me. I think that with some careful editing the book could have been half as long and just as effective. Even so, I’m glad I read this book in particular and am currently using the 8-week training plan highlighted at the end.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mostly boring, skippable motivational quotes/tips as well as advice both redundant and contradictory. ("Always eat an hour before you run/Run first thing in the morning, right after you wake up" had me especially confused.) Looks like it might have some promising training advice for later on down the road when I'm finally finished with my 5K training and looking for the next goal, though.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

The textbook of running… a good general all around text with more emphasis on nutrition than others, which I appreciated. A bit too wordy/campy, but overall a good opening text with examples, life lessons, and information.

[Reader57 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lot's of good information for someone who has decided to learn to run. It's by the publishers of Runner's World magazine and includes lots of tips from their readers. The last few chapters are training schedules to get you started or take you to the next level.

[Mara Gaulzetti · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a good intro to running, I read it a while back, and when I was back at my parents' house I saw it on my bookshelf and had a look through it again. I mean someone named Amby Burfoot was born to run, no?

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

The material was a little dated in terms of the websites referenced. I'm returning to running after a long decade long rehab from an injury. The gem for me was the recommended diet and when to eat after a long run keeping me from feeling dead the next day.

[Janice · Rating 2 out of 5]

While this one contains a lot of good information, it's not outstanding in any way. I learned something, sure, but was not inspired at all.

[Tanya · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice beginner book with lots of lovely pictures of healthy people to inspire you into pounding the streets. probably the first running book I bought and I still dip into it for tips and motivation.

[Keem · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is helpful only if you need too many reasons to start running. If you've already started, it's use is quite limited. The writing is good and easy to follow.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not the easiest book for me to just read through because of the format, but it was full of good information and advice on every aspect of running.

[Claudia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Helpful overall but the photos seem to be stock photos and are incredibly cheesy.

[Shannon Dillman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pretty good book. Highly recommend for beginning runners.

[Hope · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good introduction to running, full of solid information-- if a bit dated. Definitely meant to be picked up and browsed rather than read straight through, it is more like a magazine.