Beginner's Half-Marathon Trainer: The 14-Week Program to Completing a Half-Marathon in Your Best Time [Paperback]

Jon Ackland (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 3, 2008

THE ULTIMATE HALF-MARATHON TRAINING GUIDE FOR EVERYONE

The half-marathon is booming in popularity and it’s easy to see why. At just over 13 miles, the race is short enough for beginners but long enough to test even serious runners. So whether you want to compete or just push yourself, the half-marathon offers the perfect challenge. With its can’t-fail, 14-week programs, The Beginner’s Half-Marathon Trainer shows how to run your best time without injury or time-intensive training. By offering several unique programs, it caters to everyone from walkers to competitive racers and teaches you how to:

•Mentally prepare

•Train smarter

•Improve speed and endurance

•Properly nourish your body

•Pace your self

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Jon Ackland is an exercise physiologist with 15 years experience in sports training both in New Zealand and overseas. A former national rowing champion, he is a regular Ironman competitor who has twice completed the Hawaiian Ironman. Currently he is director of Performance Lab NZ, a specialist programme prescription and assessment facility for athletes and corporate health.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Ulysses Press (March 3, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1569756368
• ISBN-13: 978-1569756362
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #127,715 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #38 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Exercise & Fitness > Marathons

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Easy to read, easy to follow..., November 15, 2008

By 

Nick Greet (Bermuda) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Beginner's Half-Marathon Trainer: The 14-Week Program to Completing a Half-Marathon in Your Best Time (Paperback)

First a confession...I didn't use this book to run a half-marathon! I needed to strengthen my running for an olympic distance triathlon. The run is 10K. OK, shorter than a half-marathon, but I figured that after the swim and bike sections I would need to be strong for the run. Following the program from this book really helped, especially the hill work.

This book is well written and easy to follow. It begins with several chapters that discuss the basics such as buying a pair of running shoes (Very, very helpful and very important!), how to train and how to avoid/minimise injuries. It then offers six different training programs from beginner to competitive runner. The last section of the book gives a chapter to go along with that weeks training program. Very easy to follow, as I mentioned before.

One of the things I really like about the book is that it is not technical in any of its explanations. It is clear and concise. (Did I mention easy to follow?) An easy read, if you like?

I would recommend this book to anyone looking to complete a half-marathon. I have now signed up for the distance and will be using one of the programs.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for Beginners!, March 8, 2009

By 

C. Stull (Frederick MD, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Beginner's Half-Marathon Trainer: The 14-Week Program to Completing a Half-Marathon in Your Best Time (Paperback)

I am training for my first half marathon. I found this book to be very helpful, not only in providing a training plan, but also for running technique, shoes, and mentally preparing for a half marathon.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Reassuring and Informative, April 4, 2010

By 

Beth A. Leslie (Rockville, Connecticut) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Beginner's Half-Marathon Trainer: The 14-Week Program to Completing a Half-Marathon in Your Best Time (Paperback)

I like the tone of this book. I have always wanted to be a runner, and needed a little hand holding to begin. I am now running 20 minutes straight and plan to complete a half-marathon in October.