The Nonrunner's Marathon Guide for Women: Get Off Your Butt and On with Your Training (Paperback)

~ (Author) "Marathon training begins with making the actual decision to begin training..." (more)
Key Phrases: serious runners, shoe people, pineapple drinks, Chipper Jen, Running Outfit, Runner's High (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Dawn Dais hated running. And it didn't like her much, either. Her fitness routine consisted of avoiding the stairs in her own house, because who really has the energy to climb stairs? It was with this exercise philosophy firmly in place that she set off to complete a marathon.
The Nonrunner’s Marathon Guide for Women is a fun training manual for women who don't believe that running is their biological destiny but who dream of crossing the finish line nonetheless. It opens with a realistic training schedule and is chock-full of how-to's, quizzes, and funny observations, which Dais felt were lacking in the guides she had consulted.
The Nonrunner’s Marathon Guide for Women also integrates entries from Dias' journal, sharing everything would-be marathoners need to know about the gear, the blisters, the early morning workouts, the late-night carb binges, and — most important of all — the amazing rewards.
Anyone can do a marathon. This book just makes the experience a little more bearable and a lot more fun.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Seal Press; 1 edition (January 3, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1580052053
• ISBN-13: 978-1580052054
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (71 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #4,176 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #3 in	Books > Health, Mind & Body > Exercise & Fitness > Marathons
  #13 in	Books > Health, Mind & Body > Exercise & Fitness > Running & Jogging
  #14 in	Books > Sports > Individual Sports > Running & Jogging

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

108 of 110 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Funny and inspirational, but disagree with her training schedule, February 2, 2008

By	International Diva - See all my reviews

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I loved Dawn's tone and writing style, and this is a very inspirational book and I recommend it to all women interested in running a marathon get it, but with one reservation - I have issues iwth the training schedule included in her book.

I'm truly concerned that she advises that a complete novice who doesn't even own running shoes could attempt a run a marathon with only four month's training. This is a recipe for potentially serious injury. And she provides an example of this herself -- she develops major knee pain, including at the beginning of her marathon before she even began running. Her actual marathon experience is one of someone who trained too quickly; at mile 13, she began to experience severe pain and had real trouble finishing among the "walking dead" at the back of the pack.

I trained to run a marathon in 2002 and I had four months to train, but I was jogging regularly and had been a long distance cyclist for several years. But I injured my back and tendons in my legs on my schedule. A doctor told me that this because my training was too consolidated.

I highly recommend this book if you're considering running a marathon, but if you are indeed a novice do three things before attempting to train:

1) Follow her advice to have a thorough medical checkup, although I will add that it's ultra helpful to find a doctor who is familiar with sports medicine

2) get a real-life coach/experienced marathoner to talk to before you beginn and ideally to supervise your training; you can talk to people at running speciality stores to find a good person and

3) check out a number of other marathon training schedules, such as Hal Higdon's novice schedule (which is a 7 1/2 month program) and another by coolrunning.com called "from couch potato to 5k) as well; it's another potential training program for beginners. (You can find both through Google.) Give yourself lots of time to train and ramp up slowly.

I just ran a marathon, and I was supervised by a university track coach. He designed a program that required me running regularly for six months before the half marathon, and an additional four months for a marathon, to which I added another month. Yes, 11 months. But I had a GREAT marathon experience - injury free, pain free and with a quick recovery.

But I have to say that her entertaining, straightforward advice about sports bras, great shoes, the importance of journaling and the miracle of Bodyglide makes this a very good book for beginners. Just research other schedules that work for you before you hit the pavement.

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars if you read it, you will run., March 14, 2007

By	lilmonster "I would eat books if I could" (San Diego, CA USA) - See all my reviews

i can't remember the last time i laughed this hard while reading a book. better yet, i am living proof that this book actually works. the author goes with an "I'm the lowest common denominator" approach to make you feel better about your ability to run (or hobble/crawl/etc.) to the finish line. even after she had made me a regular runner i'd go back for reminders about the good ole (couch potato) days. finally, a book to get you into shape without boring you to tears doing it.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars More than 5 stars, May 28, 2007

By	Caravaggio38 (Tokyo, Japan) - See all my reviews

If I could give this book more than 5 stars, I would. The book is hilarious, accurate, inspiring, well-written. I wish that I could have written it myself.

I wish I had this book when I ran the Tokyo City Marathon last February, which was my first marathon. It would have eased most of my anxieties and self-doubt while struggling to finish my long runs. As I trained alone, it would have been the perfect training partner. Ms. Dais has perfectly described in direct, simple yet intelligent words most of what a first-time marathoner will experience. Not only did the book bring smiles to my lips as I recall my own struggles and angst, it brought me to tears, OF LAUGHTER!!!

The author presents a side of running that other books don't, especially what goes on in another runner's mind. Reading her book is almost like reading my own training log. Her apprehensions are no different from mine (e.g., not everyone looks good in spandex). Her marathon anecdotes remind me of my own.

Although she included a training program for a half-marathon and one for a marathon, do not expect to see training programs, speed works, fartleks, hill workouts, leg workouts, or other training knowledge that are amply covered by other authors. Nevertheless, I highly recommend this book as a companion to the other "serious" books on running and the marathon, because this book will inspire you to go through your long runs; tell you that it is normal to feel lazy, that not all runners enjoy waking up early in the morning to run, that not everyone runs a marathon in 4 hours (I certainly didn't); will keep you company through those weeks of training; and more importantly will not bore you to death.

This books is a warm, comfortable runner's friend.

Enjoy running!