Customer Reviews

The Principles of Running

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

If you're an advanced or intermediate runner, you probably
understand most of what is covered already. In my opinion,
this book is more for the beginner runner, or the runner who
is returning to the sport after a long layoff. However, even
respected runners such as Frank Shorter (1972 Olympic Gold
Medalist Men's Marathon), Joan Benoit Samuelson (1984 Olympic
Gold Medalist Women's Marathon), and Jeff Galloway have
endorsed the book. The author himself is the winner of the
1968 Boston Marathon. However, that is not the point. The
point is that this book is compact and easy to read. Someone
in elementary school who is starting out as a runner could
benefit from this book, even though it is probably intended
more for high school runners and older runners.
In the introduction, the author says the book is only to
cover the basics. If you want a tome on running that is
comprehensive, I suggest Timothy Noakes' book The Lore
of Running, which is nearly 1000 pages. The Principles
section is essentially a summary of what the topic he is
discussing. It is written in a nice sequential order,
even though you can use it as a reference guide. I am
deducting a star because it is brief, and doesn't contain
everything you need to know about running, but then again
that wasn't the point of this book, since it would be
redundant. I would recommend getting additional books on
running if you're a serious runner and are looking for
something more comprehensive. It lacks training schedules
for anything besides the marathon in this book, and getting
started towards running if you're not running already.
The breakdown of the book is as follows:
Introduction

Part I: The Joy of Running
For The Health Of It
The Real Runner's High

Part II: First Steps
Getting Started
It's Okay To Go Slow
Motivation
Aches and Pains
Blisters
The 10-Percent Rule
Running and Walking

Part III: Women
Safety
Menstruation
Pregnancy
Menopause
Special Concerns

Part IV: Equipment
Shoes
Apparel
Heart-Rate Monitors
Treadmills
Indoor Exercise

Part V: Nutrition
Carbohydrates
Fats
Proteins
Vitamins and Minerals
Before and after a Run
On The Run
Drinks, Bars and Gels
Vegetarian Diet

Part VI: Warming Up and Cooling Down
Hard and Easy Workouts
Progressive Training
Hills
Cross-Training
Groups
Long Runs
Tempo Training
Max VO2
Speed-Form Training
Burnout

Part VII: Weight Loss
Running Works Best
The Running Diet
A 24-Hour Program
Maximum Weight Loss

Part VIII: Weather
Heat
Cold
Dark, Snow, Ice and Rain

Part IX: Injury Prevention and Treatment
Overuse Injuries
Stretching
Ice
Pain Relievers
Shinsplits
Knee Injuries
Achilles Tendinitis

Part X: Racing
The Decision To Race
Goals
Mental Preparation
Tapering
The Start
Pace

Part XI: The Marathon
Commitment
Building-Up
Essential Element
Yasso 800s
Taper
Carbohydrate-Loading
Final 24 Hours
Early and Middle Miles
The Wall
Recovery

Part XII: A Lifetime of Running
Slowing Down, Feeling Great
Use It or Lose It

execellent book for the beginners. the principles are short, comprehensive, precise and right to the point. but for the intermediate and advance runners, this book has nothing new to offer other than repeat and remind of what you have already learnt.

It is time for us to get off our collective behinds and Burfoot explains how anyone can run. This book may be the key to a healthy future. Burfoot does not want everyone to compete at the level he did, but he feels everyone has the capabilities of achieving fitness and health through running. Run out and get your copy today.

I ran all through grade school and high school and am picking up the sport again after some years off. I found this book to be a great re-introduction after some time off. I think Amby describes it best as that book that has lots of answers to the questions you've been asking yourself for months (or years), and instead of buying many books to find the answeres, they are all in one small, relatively inexpensive book.

If you run, buy it, you'll like it, if you are thinking about running, buy it, it'll help you along the path towards your running goals.

This book is great for runners of all age and experience. I have never been much of a fitness nut, but Mr. Burfoot's book inspired and helped me to begin a personal running program. I have already recommended this book to many people and will continue to do so.

I first came across this book one night when I was babysitting, sat and read it cover to cover, then bought myself a copy. I like the straightforward format - under each heading there are a few paragraphs followed by a summary of the main points. Burfoot covers everything from injuries to nutrition, equipment, training and getting started, and keeps things really to-the-point.

He also devotes a chapter to women with our special concerns such as personal safety, menstruation, pregnancy and menopause. So many people couldn't believe I kept running while pregnant and some suggested I should quit, but the pregnancy chapter gave me peace of mind that it is perfectly fine for mother and baby and I kept running, although not very regularly and sometimes rather slowly, up to about 28 weeks. Thank you Amby!

I know I will refer to this book again once my pregnancy is over, and will keep coming back to it over the years and over the course of my running life. Just a great little resource.

This book has a wide array of information including tips on specific running workouts, nutrition, racing and much more. It's a great book for beginning runners, but I think experienced runners will enjoy it too.

This is a fantastic introduction to running. If you're new to the sport or are considering starting to run, I can't recommend a better guide. This short, readable book will provide you with all of the basics. I've continued to return to it as I've progressed in my running, and it still continues to be helpful and inspiring. Thanks, Amby.

I bought this book as a gift for my son, a new runner. He has found the book to be very helpful to him.

I won this book from a Runner's World contest, so price for me was excellent.

Very good beginners book....splains all the different topics about running in concise and informative 1-2 page chapters. Great Resource.