Hal Higdon's Smart Running: Expert Advice On Training, Motivation, Injury Prevention, Nutrition And Good Health [Paperback]

Hal Higdon (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 15, 1998

Your running questions answered.

As the expert on Runner's World magazine's Web site, Hal Higdon receives nearly 1,000 questions a month from runners around he world. Questions from how to heal shinsplints to how to use running to safely shed pounds. Hal taps into 40 years of running experience and a wide network of exercise scientists and doctors to bring readers sound advice. And in Hal Higdon's Smart Running, he brings this same experience and knowledge to new and veteran runners.

You'll discover:

* How to fit running into a busy lifestyle
* What the best program is to lose weight
* How to run a faster 5-K
* How to motivate yourself to exercise consistently
* If you are ready to run a marathon
* What the best types of running shoes are
* What the difference is between muscle soreness and an injury
* What to eat before a race
* How to run safely at night
* How much cross-training should be in your running program
* If you should run less as you get older
* How to train for a marathon
* If your diet should be high in carbohydrates
* How much speedwork should be in your workouts
* What the newest fabrics in running clothes are

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Hal Higdon, author of more than 30 books on running and senior writer for Runner's World magazine, is adept at answering running-related questions; he also pens the magazine's on-line "Ask the Expert" column. Therefore, it's only natural that Smart Running is assembled in a Q & A format. Chapters, ranging from "Technique" to "Marathon Training" to "Motivation," are followed by a series of relevant questions and answers. For instance, in the "Racing" chapter, topics include "Race Taper," "Starting-Line Jitters," "Drinking Technique," and "Downtime After a Race." Under "Last Meals," a reader queries: "What is a good choice of food the night before a race and right before the race?" Higdon's reply is thorough, based on race distance, time of race, and experience. He also suggests the use of nutritional alternatives, such as sports drinks and energy bars, and throws in this long-standing runner's joke: "Your prerace meal should taste good going down, taste good coming up, and look good on the sidewalk." Comprehensive and light-hearted, Higdon knows running. --Rob McDonald

From the Back Cover

Your running questions answered.

Hal Higdon's Smart Running

As the expert on Runner's World magazine's Web site, Hal Higdon receives nearly 1,000 questions a month from runners around he world. Questions from how to heal shinsplints to how to use running to safely shed pounds. Hal taps into 40 years of running experience and a wide network of exercise scientists and doctors to bring readers sound advice. And in Hal Higdon's Smart Running, he brings this same experience and knowledge to new and veteran runners.

You'll discover:

* How to fit running into a busy lifestyle
* What the best program is to lose weight
* How to run a faster 5-K
* How to motivate yourself to exercise consistently
* If you are ready to run a marathon
* What the best types of running shoes are
* What the difference is between muscle soreness and an injury
* What to eat before a race
* How to run safely at night
* How much cross-training should be in your running program
* If you should run less as you get older
* How to train for a marathon
* If your diet should be high in carbohydrates
* How much speedwork should be in your workouts
* What the newest fabrics in running clothes are

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Hal Higdon is among the most respected and widely read writers in the world of running. A senior writer for Runner's World magazine, he also writes the 'Ask the Expert' column on the magazine's Web site. He is the author of 31 books, including Hal Higdon's How to Train and Marathon. He is a competitive masters runner and lectures frequently at running clubs and races around the world.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Rodale Books; 1st edition (June 15, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0875965350
• ISBN-13: 978-0875965352
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #777,933 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Trying To Cover Everything, June 13, 2001

By 

Untouchable (Sydney, NSW Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hal Higdon's Smart Running: Expert Advice On Training, Motivation, Injury Prevention, Nutrition And Good Health (Paperback)

Written by "Runner's World" magazine's senior writer, this book takes the form of question and answer over a wide range of topics. Simply put, it's a FAQ manual for runners.

One small problem with this format is, there is only one question and answer addressed per topic, so the information imparted is very specialised. To counter this, the book covers a wide range of topics from beginning running to marathon training, to injuries, to advice for young and older runners.

I would recommend this book to the beginner / inexperienced runner. Those who have been running for some time would very likely have come across most of this information before. If you're looking for a repository that contains a great deal of accumulated knowledge that can be accessed easily, here it is.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stellar Running Device, May 10, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Hal Higdon's Smart Running: Expert Advice On Training, Motivation, Injury Prevention, Nutrition And Good Health (Paperback)

Although I considered myself to be a seasoned runner, I knew there was much that I had yet to discover before taking on my first marathon. This book helped incredibly - with everything from nutrition to preventing potentially painful or debilitating injuries. Though training to run a marathon is most certainly an arduous and daunting task, Higdon's book helps to put running into perspective and removes it from the realm of "only the talented can do it." He gives running back to those who don't know everything about the sport and are willing to learn.

I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone who is considering a marathon or even a 5K for the motivation, the advice, and the knowledge.

5.0 out of 5 stars great running guide, December 27, 2010

By 

Heather - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hal Higdon's Smart Running: Expert Advice On Training, Motivation, Injury Prevention, Nutrition And Good Health (Kindle Edition)

This book is one I pick up aain and again for info on training, injury, and motivation. It has been key in my training for half and full marathons.