Customer Reviews

Marathon: You Can Do It!

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I was very excited about this book. I've been a hobby runner on and off my whole life, but I've never officially trained for anything [other than military duty].

So, I got this book to help me figure out how to train for a marathon. The author seems very well respected and experienced. The book sounded like exactly what I wanted.

However, when I got the book, I found it laid out poorly. It is disorganized in the way ideas are presented and seems to jump around from topic to topic. I really needed a book that said "To start training for a marathon, you do A then B then C" with troubleshooting and advice on nutrition and stuff to follow. This book didn't really do that.

I'm several chapters in and I'm still not sure exactly what my first few steps are supposed to be.

I do like his writing style and I think he's very interesting. I enjoyed the stories and anecdotes Mr. Galloway includes, I found them very informative.

But I'm going to look for another book that will be easier for a total beginner to follow. I'll keep this one as a reference, but I need something more along the lines of "Running a Marathon for Dummies" I guess [is there such a book?!]. :)

I have been using this book and plan for after ten years now and while perusing Galloway's books to find a title for my therapist decided to finally chime in. From being a XC runner in high school and college, the mentality of never stopping during a race was commendable and a rite of passage. Before picking up this book I ran two marathons without stopping. I was 35 then but my back seemed like it was 65. After both those marathons, the "sensation" of a broomstick jamming into my backside was crippling (sciatic nerve). In the advice from a friend I tried the run/walk system. My next marathon brought a Park City time from 4:30 to 3:51 walking every mile. Granted I was pushing mile times, but the result was phenomenal. I now exclusively use the R/W program for training and racing. I have tried a run 4 min, walk 30 second, and a walk each mile marker with success in both. My PR is now a 3:27 which brought me to Boston this last April... so for the doubting speedsters, running fast by walking is possible. For those with back pain, I can't say enough.

At age 44 and 40 lbs overweight, I decided to run my first marathon. I did this with Team In Training and they introduced me to the Galloway method of training. I bought this book and it helped prepare me for this huge goal. The book was motivating, enlightening and it gave me the confidence that I could accomplish this goal that I'd contimplated for over 20 years. I finished the marathon (San Francisco) and went on to lose 50 lbs; run nearly 20 half marathons; another open marathon; and many triathlons including two Ironman races over the next seven years. The training "journey" for doing a big race, weather it's a half marathon, a marathon or an Ironman is what it's all about... crossing the finish line is just icing on the cake! It's also about the wonderful community of age-group (and elite) athletes that encourage and inspire us along the way. My quality of life has improved in countless ways since taking the first step and making this part of my lifestyle and I credit TNT and Jeff Galloway for changing my life and that of the many others I've encouraged to read this book and become an athlete again later in life. Yes... You CAN Do It!

I'll preface this by saying I am 43 and just completed my first marathon Oct 2011. I have been running for 22 years and have run a few half-marathons in the last few years. I discovered about 15 years ago the value of walking breaks, however only took them at water stops or randomly when I was tired.

I bought, read & followed Jeff's marathon training plan. I also bought an interval timer and followed a 3:1 interval, where I ran for 3 minutes, and then walked for 1 minute.

In the last 10K of the race, I passed every runner in my vicinity, all seemed to have hit "the wall". Because of Jeff's plan, I finished strong and without injury. The next day I was ache-free. With Jeff's plan, you run in intervals. You actually run faster this way. I chose to put my faith in someone who has been running for 50 years and has experienced everything all runners encounter. The book is humorous, easy to follow, and motivational. It is the only marathon book you need.

A little weak for an e reader confused on the various training plans. Nice approach to a concept that allows walking...very diifferent than Higdon's style. Plan to try the approach during my marathon training this spring.

Galloway is well informed and knows running. He presents a wide range of training advice from what to "consider" as dietary options and what to "consider" as training options. I never get the feeling that he is suggesting a "must" scenario. I do strongly feel that he is suggesting a great range of options based on decades of personal and coaching experiences with runners. He gives runners options to consider in easily digestible text.

If you are a runner and are interested in reading about running it would be hard to go wrong with a book by Galloway. I find his literature very useful, especially for coaching/guiding newer runners. Even myself (a runner for over 20 years) I find myself still looking at pace charts, reviewing workout ideas, and simply revisiting his ideas on fitness. I love to hold and read literature on running.

The book is a valued literary contribution to the world of running and is a 4-5 star book. If you read the 1 and 2 ratings you quickly realize that these contributions are quite shallow, nit picking discrete points. You don't need to agree with every sentence of a book for it to be a good book. I think, if you can notice such points all the better - but this also opens up the ideas that there are two sides to the argument - and if you are sure your view is correct this is noteworthy, perhaps something is dated but certainly not the entire project.

A great book for any runner's bookshelf - even if every grain of salt is not in a perfect place for your palate.

This is a great book! A friend introduced me to the Galloway method earlier this year. After a knee injury I hadn't been able to fully train for a half marathon that I had signed up for. I was amazed to finish the race at all, and only 10 minutes below my PR at that. Mr. Galloway had me captivated from then on. I found this book and I think it is a great strategy to run a marathon, for those new to the sport or those with injury. I wish more physicians and physical therapists would pick up on how great this method can be for those recovering from injuries. In this book Jeff Galloway offers lots of common sense, basic advice for overall training and cross training, fitness, nutrition and running a marathon.

Marathon: You Can Do It appears in a revised edition and comes from an author who developed unique training programs ten years ago showing runners how to train for and finish a marathon. This updated, revised edition shows how to set up a personal training program and stay motivated, and is key to running a successful marathon. Both sports and general libraries will find this a specific, welcome addition.

I love this book because it's a fun and interesting read. You can literally read a few pages of this book and immediately start applying Jeff's principles to your running style. This book was recommended to me by friends and I am glad I bought it!

A good book that covers most of the information an aspiring runner planning for a first marathon needs. Following this program is "doable" for this 58 year old woman.