Customer Reviews

Galloway's Book on Running

5 star:		(49)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I wish I'd read this book BEFORE my knee injury. Galloway writes as an experienced runner and coach. He provides training programs for most levels of fitness and experience. If you want to run, or continue running without injury, take the time to read this book.

The first section of the book, "Starting," provides a brief history of running, then moves into five stages of running development (Beginner, Jogger, Competitor, Athlete, Runner).

The second section, "Training," considers the physiology of running, planning a training program (including "running slow in order to run fast"), and keeping a log. This section concludes with an discussion about the need for rest and training programs.

The third section, "Racing," talks about how to run faster, how to adjust your pace on the race day, how to handle different lengths of races (these include specific training programs), and how to prepare for a marathon. A final chapter considers issues for the advanced competititve runner.

Section four, "Tuning," presents augmentations to a strong running program, including form, stretching & strengthening, running drills, will power, and a chapter on women' running, written by the author's wife.

The book continues with shorter sections, on injuries, nutrition and diet, shoes, and age issues. An appendix contains references, a reading list, and race pace charts. The book has an adequate index.

If you read Runner's World for a few years, you'll encounter much of this information. But it's more handy in one place. Don't pass on this book, your knees will never forgive you....

This book is perfect for those who have just discovered running and would like a primer on how and how not to train.

It's main stregnth is its well-rounded nature, containing everything from historical anecdotes to nutrition and tips for older runners.

Galloway's voice is humane and humble. At least in this book, he practices what he preaches: an oversized ego is an obstacle and running is done for the joy it brings.

After reading sections of this book, I did some late-night running at the campus track and I could see where a lot of runners were going wrong. They were trying so hard to run that after a few minutes they were exhausted.

Galloway's book is more well suited to people who want to take the long and slow road, built on slow and long runs, to greater speed and eventual marathon competition.

It might also be a bizarre, yet inspired, gift to your favorite couch potato (Just make sure he or she's not the type to get pissed at such a suggestive gift).

A great book with one exception. I purchased the First edition of this book and used it as a guideline for my 1st marathon. In preparation for a 2nd marathon, now several years later, I purchased the second edition as I lost the first book. I was disappointed to discover that this edition does not include a marathon Training Program.

I have been running for several months before buying this book. I have learnt a lot from it and recommend it to both amateur and serious runners. However, you must read it all before starting to run. At the point, it will probably necessary to re-read it because there is very much information. The section on injuries, shoes, and nutrition are very well done, too bad they are at the end. The section on racing, although apparently intended for very experienced runners, contains information that is useful for intermediate level (such as preparing for a 10K). If you are not accustomed to American measures, have a conversion table by your side while you read!

I was never a runner, I'm in my mid-30's, mom of kids, and I realized that I needed to get in shape, like zillions of other moms out there. My friend does 5k's every chance she gets, and I just got overwhelmed by her athleticism and what she could do, because I *knew* I couldn't do it.

But then, my neighbor who lost 100 lbs, in 1 year, from training for the marathon by using this book, gave us this book. I was so surprised at how Galloway tells you how to pace yourself! He gives this schedule that allows you to see your improvements but not feel like you must exercise EVERY DAY to achieve it. I learned so much about running, and ran my first 5k last fall!! I still don't like running, but I *love* what it does for me - I'm in great shape, stronger, and I have tons more energy to deal with my kids!

I had been running for a couple of years, Doing 5k and twice a 10k. I had made great progress dropping from 185 pounds to 155 pounds. However my progress had stopped, I could not break the 29 min barrier on 5k or the 60 min barrier at 10k. Not until I read Galloway's book, yes all of it, did I understand enough about how running works to make some goals. It is funny while informative, Answers the questions you want asked, differentiate what is his opinion and what he believes is fact. I am now on the verge of a Half marathon and have little doubt i will make my goal of 2hr 20min. Not bad for a 55 year old. I reccomend it highly.
And oh yes, I have done a sub 27 min 5k

Terrific, but I would advise people to read the whole thing. I have a buddy who went straight to the running schedule. 3 months later he got hurt and never really recovered. It was only after that, that he went back and found that the stuff he skipped would have prevented his injuries. He was pretty bummed....

I love this book. Jeff Galloway provides a program in which anyone can run. By incorporating "walk/shuffle" breaks you increase your endurance with minimal injury. Similar to "The Penguin"'s program but allows you to increase both speed and endurance to your maximum potential. I am running a half marathon on June 20, 2009 in Alaska for Team in Training and I have been utilizing Jeff's program. I average a pace of anywhere from 11.5 to 12.5min/mile. That may seem turtle slow for seasoned runners but for a 53 year old woman who never ran until a year ago it is amazing; without Jeff's program I don't think I could have done it.

Whatever you need to know about running, this is the book. There is some entertainment value but I found the tables for planning a 5K, 10K, and marathon very useful. The information on injury is extremely useful; Galloway even tells you when to give up on self-treatment and seek a doctor. This is the one book you absolutely need to train and compete.

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I am buying another copy of this book as I've lent mine out and can't locate its whereabouts. I cannot tell you how many people have borrowed this book from me and have gone on to either run marathons or just become better runners. I received it as a birthday gift from a runner friend more than 10 years ago and went from 2-mile occasional runs to running a marathon just six months later. Galloway's love for the sport is contagious, and the book very informative in terms of how to maintain form, avoid injuries, plus fool-proof schedules for building up to a marathon.