The Complete Book of Running [Hardcover]

James Fixx (Author)

Book Description

Release date: September 12, 1977

Discusses not only the physical benefits of running, but its psychological benefits as well: increasing self-esteem, acquiring a "high" from running, and being able to cope better with pressure and tension. Yep, it still sells.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

Discusses not only the physical benefits of running, but its psychological benefits as well: increasing self-esteem, acquiring a "high" from running, and being able to cope better with pressure and tension. Yep, it still sells.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 314 pages
• Publisher: Random House; 1 edition (September 12, 1977)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0394411595
• ISBN-13: 978-0394411590
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #208,990 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

45 of 50 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars It's still the Bible of running July 20, 2003

By Candace Scott

Format:Hardcover

How well I remember when this book was published in 1977. I was a teenager and hardly anyone I knew jogged or ran for pleasure. In those days it was rare to see anyone on the street actually doing exercise. With this book, Jim Fixx revolutionized the world of exercise, and especially the sport of running. This book precipitated the running boom of the late 70's when every granny laced up her New Balance's or Saucony's and hit the streets. Jim Fixx was an overweight business executive who began running simply because he wanted to improve his tennis game. He loved running so much that he gave up tennis to concentrate on increasing his weekly running mileage.

Fixx writes extremely well and it's still hard to put this down. It's held up remarkably well in the intervening 25 years and the information is still current and just as riveting as it was back then. Fixx has special chapters on kids running, women, senior citizens, injuries and the Boston marathon. He spends considerable detail on expounding upon the magical "runner's high" which occurs on runs lasting more than 45 minutes. Based on considerable personal experience, I will say that the runner's high is freequently elusive, but you'll know when you get it.

Jim Fixx died of a heart attack in the late 1980's while running on a quiet Vermont road. Unfortunately, this became the butt of some late night jokes made by overweight comics thinking it was ironic that a running guru would die of a heart attack. But Jim Fixx has the last laugh: he helped usher in the running boom and cement this avocation in the lives of millions of people. This is an outstanding book, as interesting and readable as it was when it was first published all those years ago.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars It Keeps Going, and Going, and Going August 25, 2003

By David Bradley

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

Decades after it's initial release, THE COMPLETE BOOK OF RUNNING has become a classic and remains what it was Fixx intended it to be: a great guide for beginners and a textural gathering place for multitudes of runners.

Some of the training tips have been overwhelmed by further study, and Fixx's recommendation to buy good running shoes has been slammed as the starting point for Nike's attempt to take over the universe, but the book is still inspirational to anyone looking for some kind of cultural backbone for what is, at it's core, the most individualist fitness activity.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars I got alot out of this book August 12, 2002

By Richard Sperko

Format:Hardcover

I felt this was a very good book. He covered all the topics I would hope to see in a running book including injury prevention, training, nutrition, racing... The book was an quick easy read.

Since I am new to running I learned alot. What I found particularly interesting was just how current this 25 year old book was. It doesn't seem that that much has changed even in equipment. The shoes are different, but his advice on shoes is relevant. As is his advice on most topics covered.

I am personally glad I own this book.