56 of 57 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Has some good info but also some dubious advice, September 13, 2004
This review is from: Marathon Training For Dummies (Paperback)
I've run one marathon and am training for my 2nd so I'm not a veteran by any means.
After reading this book I began to wonder if the author had actually run a marathon but couldn't find any references to her completing a marathon. I figured she *must* be a marathoner to write about it even though her credentials listed her as a top road racer which usually means shorter distances. Someone else says she ran a 3:06 time.
My primary concerns with this book:
1. Suggesting that you run 1-3 miles of warmup prior to a marathon, especially a first-timer, is not a good idea. You are going to need those 1-3 miles of leg strength at the end of your first marathon. All the other veteran marathon experts recommend very little if any warmup prior to a first marathon. Use the early miles as the warm up! I guess a few jumping jacks to get the blood flowing is not a bad idea but be careful. Of course, if you're trying to win in your first attempt, sure, you need to be ready to go at the gun but most people reading a "dummies" book aren't in this category.
2. Not eating breakfast for a morning marathon is bad advice. You already have gone 6-12 hours or more from the previous day without food and you're asking your body to go run 26.2 miles with only sports drinks and gels for fuel?? Most first-timers are running 3:00 - 6:00 hour times and this is a long time to be on your feet on an empty fuel tank. The author seems to base her premise on the shorter distance races which don't require as much fuel. I eat a full breakfast (cereal, toast, eggs, yogurt, vegetable juice) prior to all my 15+ mile runs - just avoid the grease and anything that normally causes digestion problems. I generally eat 1-2 hours prior to the long run so, yes, that does mean getting up a little bit early for an 8:00 a.m. marathon start time. You're awake with anxiety anyway, so why not get a little fuel in your body??
3. Not drinking prior to the marathon is even worse advice. The author's concerns about having to go to the bathroom are noted but dehydration is much more serious than a few stops at the porta-johns. Not only should you drink water prior to the marathon but you should drink at least 16-32 ounces. Yes, do give yourself plenty of time to use the facilities but be sure to hydrate!!! Her advice to drink at all the water stops is correct no matter how you feel or the temperature. Your body is going to heat up a lot and if the humidity is over 50%, it will be even more difficult to stay cool.
The author knows alot about running and gives good advice about shoes, clothing, stretching, injuries and general diet. There is an obvious omission of advice of the actual race which leads me to believe the author had not yet completed a marathon. A first-timer will be very nervous about the 26.2 mile distance and needs to be re-assured that if they trained properly (building a base, completing several long runs and tapering), they should be ready to get to the finish line.
Hal Higdon has a terrific web site (halhigdon.com) for all levels of runners.
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19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Good guide, but only for the running novice, February 21, 2004
This review is from: Marathon Training For Dummies (Paperback)
This is a fun and humorous guide, but only if you are absolutely new to running. If you've been hitting the pavement for more than a few months and are running 20 miles a week or more, this is not the book for you. Everything in here is extremely basic, common sense and would only be instructive to people who have never owned a pair of New Balances. However, if you want to run a marathon and are a world class coach potato, this is your book! It will take you step-by-step through the intricate maze of buying shoes, stretching, when to run, how much and how often to run, how to lose weight and keep it off, and how to get into the type of shape necessary to run 26.2 miles.
I recommend this book for all running newbies who think they have the stuff to run a marathon. Anyone can do it as long as you have prepared properly, have the right mental attitude and really want it. I've run many marathons and even the bad ones become wonderful memories after the fact. So lace up those Nikes and let's go!
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18 of 24 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
Full of misinformation and downright dangerous, March 21, 2004
By A Customer
This review is from: Marathon Training For Dummies (Paperback)
Here's what you should know before you even consider buying this book: the author had NEVER RUN A MARATHON before writing the book. Not only is the book full of misinformation, but following some of her advice could lead to injury. If you're looking for a book to help you through that first (or fifth) marathon, consider a book by John Bingham, Jeff Galloway, or Hal Higdon. There are many other excellent marathon guides out there. This one should never have made it past an editor's desk.
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