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Marathon: The Ultimate Training Guide
 
 
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Marathon: The Ultimate Training Guide [Paperback]

Hal Higdon (Author)
4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (58 customer reviews) |
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Book Description

Publication Date: August 11, 2005
With over 50% new material, this category killer is sure to go the distance

When the previous edition of Hal Higdon's superb training guide appeared, Grete Waitz, 9-time winner of the New York City Marathon, cheered: "Higdon's years of marathoning experience come through in this practical book. Aspiring or veteran marathoners will benefit enormously from its proven guidance."

This new edition focuses on first marathoners, women runners, and those new to the sport; and as always, Higdon shows how to build up mileage and gives advice on running long, speedwork for distance runners, defensive running strategies, and planning for peak performance.

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Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Though the running boom appears to have peaked and even tapered off somewhat, the marathon is still the ultimate running experience for many runners. Higdon's book, although well written, offers very little in the way of new information on training for or running the marathon. Previously published works such as Joe Henderson's Complete Marathoner (Anderson World, 1978), Andy Friedberg's How To Run Your First Marathon (S. & S., 1987), and Ricard Benyo's Making the Marathon Your Event (Random, 1992) offer very similar advice. However, Higdon's anecdotal style provides entertaining reading and may inspire aspiring marathoners. The author provides details of many of his personal marathon experiences as well as those of other top American marathoners such as Bill Rodgers, Don Kardang, and Dick Buerkle. This book will appeal to general readers seriously considering training for their first marathon. For large sports collections.
- Susan L. Patton, Tennessee Valley Authority, Knoxville
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"Will get any runner across the finish line of a marathon. I highly recommend it," said Olympic-marathon gold medalist Frank Shorter.

"There's plenty of sound training advice here for runners of all levels," said Ken Sparks, PhD, who achieved a marathon personal record of 2:28 at age 46.
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Product Details

  • Paperback: 256 pages
  • Publisher: Rodale Books; 3rd edition (August 11, 2005)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1594861994
  • ISBN-13: 978-1594861994
  • Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (58 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #158,448 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Hal Higdon
Hal Higdon

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
81 of 92 people found the following review helpful
By D. Roth
Format:Paperback
This book has 221 pages. I think the useful information could be condensed down to 20 pages or so. This book makes heavy use of the anecdote pattern. Chapters begin with little stories about elite athletes and experienced runners from which general principles of running are drawn. The problem is that the stories are incomplete and entirely anecdotal. Elite athletes and experienced runners don't need this book and the principles that apply to them don't apply to middle-aged people who truly are beginners. The book doesn't address the subjects of weight and size (very important in long distance running), and it only addresses age at a very superficial level. The good things in this book are: the focus on staying injury free; the incorporation of easy running and rest days into your training schedule; some sample training schedules; some diet advice; and some seemingly useful information about race logistics toward the end. On the negative side, a lot of space is devoted to fluffy stories; evidence to support advice is almost entirely anecdotal; there is practically no advice on runner injuries and how that affects your schedule; and no talk about weight/age; Put simply, this book contains a lot of anecdotal, unscientific, irrelevant, happy, feel-good fluff. The training schedules may work for you, but if they don't you will not have gained enough knowledge from this book to understand how to adapt them to fit your needs.
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74 of 96 people found the following review helpful
A must for novice marathoners February 28, 2000
Format:Paperback
After renewing this book from the library multiple times I just had to own it. My husband and I are training for our first marathon and this book is our "bible." There's a new piece of valuable information on every page, and each time I reread a section I find something I can use again. Inspiring, informative, with training schedules, advice, and anecdotes throughout. I've looked at other marathon training texts but this one is the best--written for the average reader, it doesn't take the elitest attitude toward running that some of the others do.
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62 of 81 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I am living testiment to the fact that this book works. I'm 31 years old, new mom and a relatively new runner and through this book and the 18 week training guide on his website, I was able to complete the Chicago Marathon this past October. He promises that if you stick to his guide you can finish and it works.

The best thing about the book is that it is supportive, but not preachy. Hal uses examples of elite athletes, but never forget that he is writing this for the novice or intermediate runner. As a novice myself (I had only started running about 6 months before), I found I was able to set realistic goals (just to finish, really) and run injury-free.

I cannot count the number of times in this book where I would read something and instantly be reinforced that I could complete a marathon. And that's very important because the training can drain you, make you question your ability and scare you.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Great for any runner
Great for the beginner through the intermediate runner. Advanced runners may want to look into another book. Read more
Published 18 days ago by Becca
first time marathon runner
This book is a one stop shop...er... read for any walker, jogger, runner, and marathon want to be. A friend recommended Higdon's book when I first announced that I wanted to tackle... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Kristen L. Coolbaugh
Got me to the finish line under 4 hours
Great book! I ordered it just before beginning Hal's 18 week training program for my first marathon. My goal was a sub-4 hour marathon and I got it. Read more
Published 1 month ago by ericduke1
Good place to start
I'm not new to running but I'm new to distance running. One of my friends recommended this book for me to get started and prepare for my first Marathon. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Derek J. Rouleau
marathon great book
easy to read and follow...hints and plans are very helpful..good book to train with! recommend to those thinking of doing the big 26.2
Published 2 months ago by Laura Bragg
Higdon's Ego
The book has a lot of good material, once you filter through Higdon's self praise. Chapter through chapter, he boasts about his accomplishments. Read more
Published 3 months ago by mtccnyc
Excellent marathon training book!
I have been running for a year now, and decided to sign-up for my first marathon. After extensive researching...I found this book was highly recommended for marathon training. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Jen Dawn
Marathon book
Wow, this book was excellent. I have been running for 3 years now and have decided to enter a 1/2 marathon. This book was so helpful. Read more
Published 3 months ago by KellyS
Amazing
I was planning on running the Atlanta half-marathon. I injured my tendons in the process but this book is amazing inspiration, and at a great price. A must have for athletes!
Published 3 months ago by Lauren
A Must-Read for Beginning Runners
The best comprehensive book on marathon preparation I have read so far. Even though he has a wealth of knowledge and experience from his own running career, Higdon makes things... Read more
Published 4 months ago by David R. Bess
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Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
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First Sentence:
I heard the comment in passing, approximately eight miles into the Twin Cities Marathon. Read the first page
Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
marathon training class, mileage buildup, marathon buildup, pacing teams, novices run, marathon pace, mileage level, weekly miles, tempo rest, tempo run, race pace, advanced runners, training mileage, marathon training program, major marathons, weekly mileage, many marathons, beginning runner, first marathon, experienced runners, speed sessions, most runners, marathon trials, easy miles, human performance laboratory
Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Runner's World, Chicago Marathon, New York, Boston Marathon, Honolulu Marathon, Doug Kurtis, Ball State University, Bill Rodgers, Olympic Games, Alberto Salazar, Los Angeles, Twin Cities Marathon, University of Texas, Zone Diet, Robert Eslick, Tom Grogon, World Veterans Championships, Ask the Expert, Bill Wenmark, Don Kardong, Fred Wilt, Joan Benoit Samuelson, Long Beach, New England, New Jersey
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