The Complete Idiot's Guide to Marathon Training [Paperback]

David A. Levine (Author), Paula Petrella (Author)

Book Description

Release date: May 3, 2011 | Series: The Complete Idiot's Guide

A comprehensive guide to get you ready for race day.

According to the rule books, a marathon is 26.2 grueling yet exhilarating miles. Millions of people run marathons around the world. Many more millions dream of doing it. But novice or veteran runners, marathons require training and plenty of it. Certified marathon coach David Levine and dedicated marathoner Paula Petrella know how to get anyone in shape for the race and share the entire procedure in clear, jargon free language.

• Includes dozens of instructional photos.

• Practical advice that addresses the needs of men and women of all ages.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

David A. Levine is a certified Coach, Level One, with USA Triathlon and USA Track & Field, both subsidiaries of the US Olympic Committee. Paula Petrella is a photographer, writer, and runner who is currently training for her second marathon with the Los Angeles Roadrunners.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: ALPHA (May 3, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1615640584
• ISBN-13: 978-1615640584
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,091,676 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Best book ever! May 10, 2011

By Jewels14333

Format:Paperback

This book has everything you ever wanted to know about how to run a marathon efficiently and still manage to have fun and feel good. It is very well written by two talented writers who really know their stuff. I highly recommend this book to anyone who has ever wanted to run, or even to seasoned marathoners who would like to learn how to run the best race of their life. Great book. Thank you!!!!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars By far the best training book I have ever read February 1, 2012

By LAShearon

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I have been running since the mid 1960's and have done eight marathons but I still learned a lot from this book. It is an excellent book for several reasons- it's easy to read, comprehensive, insightful and extremely practical. The book is more oriented to beginners and intermediate but there are things in the book even for advanced runners. For example he covers the Pose and Chi running methods, he explains why Kenyans are such good runners and well as some superb psychological tips.

It covers all the basics beginning with why people decide to run, nutrition, cross-training, choosing a training program, staying motivated, dealing with injuries, preparing for the race day, doing the race and how best to recovery. Even the appendix is an encyclodia of great information: glossary, resources, popular races, sample training programs, and strength training drills. The book will help you have a better marathon experience than just simply joining a running group. Highly recommended!

5.0 out of 5 stars GREAT BOOK February 11, 2013

By SID LEVINE

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

THE BOOK IS VERY THOROUGH, AND COMPREHENSIVE. IT IS WELL WRITTEN, KNOWLEDGEABLE AND EASY TO READ. HAS A GOOD PROFESSIONAL QUALITY TO IT.

5.0 out of 5 stars Very easy to read and full of professional knowledge. The Author is an USATrack & Field certified coach, Level 2 January 2, 2013

By Johnny Zee

Format:Paperback

Very easy to read and full of professional knowledge. The Author is an USATrack & Field certified coach, Level 2. The Complete Idiot's Guide to Marathon Training will help you with your first marathon and will also help a profesional runner become an educated runner.

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Training Book October 6, 2011

By Richard Pangallo

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

As one who competed in Track and Field, in what is now know as the Pac 12, this book provides a very thorough and variable training method. They have done and excellent job of laying it out the training method while providing the reasoning behind the methods. The book would also be a good guide to other trainig methods if you apply the basic priciples to those other training methods such as swimming or gym workouts to get in shape. If you are on the fence - buy it!

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent advice July 15, 2011

By Stevee M. Ohrt

Format:Paperback

My running partner showed me this book that he'd received as a gift and I couldn't help laughing. "Hey, that's my marathon coach!", I told him. I read through the book and remembered all the lectures that David had given us while training to run our first marathon. He knows what he's talking about. I finished my first marathon right on pace, but the most important thing was that I ENJOYED it. I especially loved the little "tips" scattered through out. I highly recommend it to anyone running their first marathon and it's also a great reference for those that have already run one.

5.0 out of 5 stars Master the Marathon June 11, 2011

By Alan

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

This book was an easy read but filled with informative information. The authors built on Jack Daniels' Running Formula and make it understandable for the everyday runner.

I enjoyed the "sidebars" that are sprinkled throughout the book. The definitions, yellow light and coach says... catch the runners attention to read the teaching points.

They blended all types of training methods from the master Jack Daniels, to Lydiard, Bompa, Fitzgerald, Galloway and of course Rod Dixon, Olympian and winner of the NYC Marathon.

This book can be used by the first time marathoner to a Boston qualifier.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars Sucked, get to the point December 27, 2012

By Damon R Owens

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I did not like this product. It did not meet my needs but was not worth the hassle of returning.