Customer Reviews

The Complete Guide to Marathon Walking

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I read and reread this book several times during the 5 months of training for my first ever marathon. I completed the Disney Marathon 2 days ago and put Dave McGovern's training tips to the test. I can tell you they are tried and true!!! I never once felt like I was going to hit the wall, was injury free and had alot of fun.

This book is full of info on buying shoes, stretching, nutrition, race day strategies, training schedules, what to do before, during and after the marathon and lots of laughs. There are also testamonies from marathon walkers as well as lots of info about walker friendly marathons nationwide. His writing style is so personable and warm you almost feel like you're having a conversation with him. As far as I'm concerned he's my coach. I wouldn't even consider letting go of my copy.

This book is a great read! I really enjoyed all of the tips and hints that Dave gives throughout. As a Team In Training member I thought I had learned a lot, but after reading Dave's book I really added a lot to my bag of tricks. If you are serious about doing a marathon this book is a definite must!

If you have any doubts about whether or not YOU can walk a marathon, read this wonderfully inspirational book by Dave and your doubts will vanish. Dave is an excellent writer as well as an excellent coach. There is so much of value in here that you'll be able to benefit hugely even if you have walked a marathon before. I've just let a friend borrow my copy and he told me he has already got some ideas for his next marathon, and he's walked 11 of them before!!!

I have read at least six different "ultimate guides to marathon training" before I came across this book. It is the best of the group. Dave explains not only what marathoners should do, but also why it is done. He does it in easily understandable and entertaining words. The book is both informative and a joy to read. While the book was written for walkers, much of the informations applies to runners as well.

I have been a runner for 30 years, and 10 of those were my marathon years. I did around 50 of them, including qualifying for Boston 3 times. So you can imagine how unhappy I was when injuries received on a 5 week hike kept me from running for an entire year. Well, that year is over, and I have found that walking doesn't hurt me, but running does. So logic is finally prevailing, and I am now a walker. But I refuse to give up my beloved marathons.

This is where Dave McGovern's book has come into play. His book, particularly theintroductory chapters, makes me excited about walking, not just resigned to it. Now I have a sport that I can continue the rest of my life, and with many fewer injuries. I figure I have spent at least 25% of the past 5 years injured and unable to run. But, even with my injuries this past year, I could still walk pain-free.

And I don't have to give up my marathons! With the passing of time, I had come to the end of an improvement of my times for running marathons, and had to just be content with running for the fun of it. Nothing wrong with that, but I do still like to be challenged. Now I have a new method of participating, and a new chance to challenge myself both in skills and in time.

Dave McGovern's book is both inspiring and informational. I learned a lot from it, and continue to re-read it, especially when I slip back into thinking, "Gee, maybe I could try a little running again." Nope! With the guidance of this book, I will now begin my second decade of marathoning, but with a whole new twist...one which, quite frankly, I believe will be much healthier for my body. I was fit when I was running 4 -5 marathons a year (when not injured), but was I truly healthy? I believe that walking marathons will give me both.

As a side note, if you wish to speed your walking up a notch or two, I would recommend Therese Iknoian's "Walking Fast: Techniques and Workouts for High-Level Fitness and Performance." I intend to get more into racewalking in the future, so that I will be able to participate in any marathon out there, not just the ones with very lenient time limits.

But for good, basic information, Dave Mcgovern's my guy. I plan on attending one of his racewalking clinics in the future, once we move back to the U.S.

I bought this book because I was about to enter my first half-marathon, and I grasped at every straw in getting prepared. I found Dave's book to be a terrific source of information, and it helped me think of a few things that helped me be prepared on race day. The section on walker-friendly marathons is a bit dated, but I used it as a springboard for my own research. Information on foot care, pace, recovery, fuel, etc. was all extremely pertinent, and very appreciated. Experienced folks probably won't find it all that valuable, but I continue to refer to it.

This book is very helpful for someone who has never done a marathon and now that I have one behind me, I'm using this to review and prepare for a second marathon. It covers everything from what to wear, eat, stretches, training schedule, injuries, recovery, etc. A great read!

Being new to the whole fitness area, this book is a god-send. I have been quite pleased...it's helping me to train for the 10k portion of a local marathon that my relay team is participating in. I know that by following the guidelines and training schedule, I will be prepared and will not push myself too far and risk injury.

Before buying this book, I'd heard about Dave McGovern, the author. It's all true. He's extremely knowledgable, has a very accessible writer style, and is goofy!
I learned a ton, even after training with a group. I just finished my second walking marathon and intend to re-read portions of this book every time I prepare for a marathon.

This book is all one needs to train for walking a marathon well, but it is so much more than that. Clearly written, chock full of insights, tidbits, and warnings on everything you need to know.