Heart Monitor Training for the Compleat Idiot [Paperback]

John L. Parker (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1998

You have nothing to lose but your old PR's!

Attention Runners, Triathletes, Cyclists & Fitness buffs!

Do you suspect that your best race or sleekest body is in there somewhere, waiting for the right schedule, coach, or series of workouts to bring it out? The author agrees. He thinks most athletes and fitness buffs train incorrectly.

This book is the only one on the market that comes with a guarantee: Use the system for a month and if you're not running or training better than you ever thought possible, return it for a refund and an apology! The book even includes a chapter of case histories of runners who began using the program and within weeks started seeing amazing improvements. And not by running harder, but by using the heart monitor to ensure that their recovery days were run easy enough!

The author offers athlete/readers the following enticements:

* Race and train better than you ever thought possible
* Get fewer injuries and avoid overtraining
* Train efficiently without feeling tired all the time
* Learn to USE a monitor, not just wear one
* Get out the door in 10 minutes, WITH A PLAN!
* Adapt the monitor to YOUR training, not the other way around

Editorial Reviews

Review

"I tried Parker's heart rate monitor training program for two months, then obliterated my best racing records at 5K, 10K and 15K. And not just by a little." -- Jeff Testerman, St. Petersburg Times

"The bottom line is: I ran 20 PR's in 26 races." -- Mark Guralnick, Running Times

About the Author

John L. Parker, Jr. has been writing about runners and running since his competitive days as a member of the early Florida Track Club. His novel, Once a Runner, first published in 1978, has become a cult classic among runners.

The first edition of Heart Monitor Training for the Compleat Idiot was widely hailed as the first clear and cogent explanation of heart monitor training for runners. In 1996 using the training principles in this book, Parker finished the 100th running of the Boston Marathon, at age 50, in 2:58:45.As a masters triathlete, he has been ranked nationally, and has completed an Olympic distance triathlon in 2:09:15.

Parker has written for Runner's World, Running Times, The Runner, Ultrasport, Outside, and other magazines. He lives in Tallahassee, Florida.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 259 pages
• Publisher: Cedarwinds; 2nd edition (August 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0915297256
• ISBN-13: 978-0915297252
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (55 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #438,696 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #60 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Exercise & Fitness > Swimming
  • #76 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Exercise & Fitness > Marathons

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

208 of 214 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not so good for a beginner, June 1, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Heart Monitor Training for the Compleat Idiot (Paperback)

I bought this book after reading all the 5-star reviews from Amazon readers, but found it not so useful for someone like me who is new to running. It's written in a friendly, conversational style but the author assumes you are already a runner and know quite a bit about training. For example, Week 1 of his "Novice" training program includes a 5-mile run and several 3-mile runs, and he assumes you already know about intervals, tempo runs, and other training techniques. If you're below this level, there's not much guidance for you here. This book is probably terrific for the experienced and committed runner, especially one who has had some coaching. However, if you're just starting off with running for fun or fitness, an alternative I'd recommend is the chapter on heart rate monitors in "The New York Road Runners Club Complete Book of Running and Fitness" (Random House, 1997), which I found after I purchased this book. It offers a much shorter, clearer discussion of training with a heart rate monitor and includes a good plan for those just getting started.

Happy running to you experienced folks and us beginners too!

39 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Anecdotal, funny, informative and oriented ONLY to runners., August 17, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Heart Monitor Training for the Compleat Idiot (Paperback)

This is the best heart rate guide I have found for runners. Parker isn't anal about rules - like Jack Daniels, he gives you rules, but also gives you a lot of common sense with which to interpret, bend and if necessary break the rules. Plenty of training schedules for runners of all levels. Nice section on "periodization," or why you need to build up training intensity over a period of weeks, peak, rest and start the process over again. Nice personal stories. Great sense of humor. Parker is also very open about when and where to "cheat" on the rules.

This book, plus my monitor, has changed the way I train. My easy running is easier (I even stop and walk without guilt!), my hard running is more structured and intense, my injuries are nil and my times are improved. I would recommend it to any runner who is serious or thinking about getting more serious.

56 of 60 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Shows how to train smarter not harder!, May 9, 2000

By 

N. Greene "philly-reader" (Elkins Park, PA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Heart Monitor Training for the Compleat Idiot (Paperback)

During the years that I've been training and competing in races from the mile to the marathon, I've read everything I could get my hands on about running. This Book Is The BEST!. It is the only book I have ever recommended to anyone on the subject. Here's why.. (1) The author is extremely readable. He informs without being condescending or a becoming a statistical drone. (2) The program works for you and with you. No more guessing whether you're training to hard or not hard enough. As you're fitness improves (and it will), so does your pace -- with NO ADDITIONAL effort. (3) Running has becomes a pleasure again. The core of the program are runs done at 70% of your max heart rate. These runs build endurance at a pace that leaves you looking forward to the next run. (4) The book gives training plans for those who don't want to plan a program, but, also explains the "philosophy" clearly enough so that one could confidently adapt your training to meet your individual needs.

Now, you may notice that I haven't mentioned faster race times. I believe the author has the best comment on that -- IF YOU DON'T RUN A PERSONAL RECORD AFTER FOLLOWING HIS PROGRAM. HE PROMISES TO REFUND YOUR MONEY.

I could go on but the proof is in the pages. If you want to improve your health and your running THIS IS THE BOOK.