Marathon and Half-Marathon: The Beginner's Guide [Paperback]

Marnie Caron (Author), The Sport Medicine Council of BC (Author), Jack Taunton M.D. (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 2006

Over 20 million Americans run recreationally, but doing it right is more than a matter of buying an expensive pair of shoes and heading for the track. Building on the popularity of The Beginning Runner’s Handbook, this practical, easy-to-use guide provides a step-by-step program for running a half or full marathon for the first time. It shows readers how to get motivated and set realistic goals, choose the proper shoes, eat right, build strength and endurance, and avoid sore muscles and injury. The book includes tips from elite runners on such subjects as staying motivated when the weather is extreme, running technique, running with a dog, and running partners. Finally, the book describes strategies for the race, what to expect on race day, and the psychological effects of finishing a half or full marathon. Most importantly, it includes a full training program designed to ensure that that crucial first race is a winner.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

With proper training, most people can successfully run (or walk/run) 13.1 or 26.2 miles (a half and full marathon, respectively). This very basic, nonthreatening guide is great for first-timers who don't care about how long it takes them to do so and just want to finish "with some degree of grace." Caron and her colleagues at "SportMedBC" lay out a 26-week program that combines walking, running and an in-between step called the shuffle, and involves three days of such activity a week (other days are for resting or cross-training). Profiles of everyday runners, tips from elite athletes and mini-lists punctuate the text. The book is best for those who have never run a race before (others will already know, for instance, that "female runners will probably want to consider a sport bra"). Chapters explain proper "fueling," mentally preparing for a distance race, cross training, including one's family in the training and, of course, dealing with the pains that will inevitably arise. (Mar.)
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Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Greystone Books (March 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1553651588
• ISBN-13: 978-1553651581
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #289,471 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #59 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Exercise & Fitness > Marathons

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Pretty good book but not quite a Jeff Galloway, June 19, 2006

By 

Lifesamystery (Los Angeles, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Marathon and Half-Marathon: The Beginner's Guide (Paperback)

I think this is a very nice book but perhaps not as "entertainingly" written as the Jeff Galloway running books ("Marathon-You Can Do It" and "Half-Marathon-You Can Do It") that I've also read. The author even quotes Galloway in a couple of places.

Fortunately, the author does not overload you with much drawn out text and lays out a running plan in a nicely formatted grid. She also points out certain details about what can help based on your sex and age. I really enjoyed the little "true stories" sections that the author throws in every so often. These profiles of people who started out as complete beginners and eventually ran a marathon were, to me, very motivational.

The big difference between this and other books is the training time period. Many books claim they can get you ready for the big time in 13 weeks, this book promotes a 26 week program and the author even hints that if you are starting at ground-level zero, a year to your first marathon is even better.

Overall, a pretty good book for beginning runners of all ages who prefer the tortoise to the hare approach before trying that first 13.1 or 26.2 miles!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I did it -- so can you, February 24, 2009

By 

Gatorhawg (Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Marathon and Half-Marathon: The Beginner's Guide (Paperback)

I used this plan literally starting from getting off the couch and not being able to run 1 min. Built up, using the training plan listed in the book, to a run of 30 min / walk 1 min for 11 miles.

Completed my first half-marathon this past weekend and owe a lot to this book. Great beginner guide.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Place to Start, October 15, 2007

By 

Morgan Jakeway "hjakeway" (Grand Blanc, MI) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Marathon and Half-Marathon: The Beginner's Guide (Paperback)

This book is a good place to start. I agree with the last review ... it is not a Jeff Galloway book but if you are a true biginner, it is a good place to start. It has good basic pointers that are easy to understand.

I would say that if you are going to run a FULL marathon, you will need a more indepth book with more advanced information. This book is good to get you into a HALF marathon.