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I picked up this book while training for my first marathon. I was following a different training schedule so I can't comment on the training schedule itself, but this book really talks about the mental aspects of marathon training which I believe are equally, or perhaps even more, important.Its also a great book that details what you can expect physically and mentally as you go through the various weeks of training. Lots of good information on mental tricks to use during your race.
I'm telling you, if you have never run a marathon and would like to hear someone tell you exactly what you need to do, how you need to think, what you need to focus on during training, this book is perfect. I've done a couple half-marathons but I was really slow and I walked a lot and I didn't know the first thing about how to train. I'm a beginner runner. It's a simple training plan combined with advice from people just like us - people who prior to taking the marathon training class these authors taught, had never considered running a marathon before. I've read a ton of different "training manuals" before I bought this book last month. This one is by far the easiest to read, understand and follow. There are so many cool things about this book. I just love it.
I purchased this book at Amazon because I hadnt run for years and I wanted a "down-to-earth" everyman guide to use to prepare/train for my first marathon. Thanks to this book, I finished the California International Marathon (December 2009) and had a great time doing it. I cannot say enough good things about this book and am thankful that I had it to get me through my first marathon. Simply put: This book is GREAT and it WORKS.
I must say this book worked for me. There is a 10 week preliminary training program in the Introduction of the book that will get you to the point of running for 30 minutes. The runner testimonials throughout the book are inspirational and there is a runner for everyone. I achieved my goal and it was phenomenal. I found the first half to be all physical and the second half to be all mental. This is a beginner's book that is designed to get you across the finish line. I didn't just read this book, it was a tool that I used to complete the 2009 Philadelphia Marathon and it worked. Once you can run for 30 minutes you are ready to begin the 16 week training program.The combination of the physical and mental strategies to get through the 26.2 miles of a marathon are invaluable.
If you follow the program you will finish. I would highly recommend that you start by reading the Introduction and do what the book tells you.It does assume some level of fitness, but not much. I kept this book with me for three months and relied on the information to explain aches and pains, mental meltdowns and what to expect when I hit "the wall".Running the marathon was a lot like this book. If you use the strategies and follow the training in this book you will finish your first marathon.
When I first decided to run a marathon, I was shocked to find how many guiding tools there were. which I loved. Some were complicated me due to being a beginner. This was an easy read, week by week guide. I have never had a baby, but I compare it to "Something to Expect When Expecting" for runners. :)
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