Customer Reviews

Run Fast: How to Beat Your Best Time--- Every Time

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I picked up this book after reading Higdon's training plan's online.

The book is mostly a collection of phrases and anecdotes. Granted, Mr Higdon has run successfully for a long time, but there's very little new advice here.

He outlines, in many way, the way he approaches speed work.
But after I read it twice, the only thing I can remember is "don't do too much speedwork" and "vary your training".

I was expecting more advice on form and specific speed workout plans, but I have to look elsewhere.

I think your running will be better if you do it with correct form. But after reading the "other" runner guru Jeff Galloway's book and this one, I can safely say that they don't discuss form that much.

One chapter talks about stretching and drills to improve flexibility, which I found interesting.

The front cover says "training plans for 5K, 10K...". That's not true. There are no training plans in this book. Find them online instead.

I suggest ChiRunning by Danny Dreyer if you want tips on better form.

First, some introductory information to put my review into perspective. I've been running for about 14 months consistently. During that time, I've completed two 10K's, two half marathons, and one full marathon. I followed training plans for each half and full marathon that I completed. I'm about half way through this book at the time of writing this review.

Given my running experience, I've still found this book to be very insightful. Most basic training schedules you'll find online just dictate distances, or times, and don't provide any information about intensity or other training variables and and methodologies such as interval training, fartlek, and junk miles. Hal Higdon goes into detail about the importance of V02 Max, Lactate Threshold, Max BPM, and other training metrics that, once understood and observed, can make a good runner a great runner. He specifically discusses how to train to enhance each of these measures to make you a better runner overall. I've recently started to study "Periodization Training," and this is the same concept. I also like how Hal discusses common conceptions in the running world, and gives his opinion about them. The truth is, most cliche's are applicable in some situations, but not others. Hal put's a lot of those things into context.

Again, I'm not finished with the book, but it's helped me to understand the many variables that contribute to becoming a better runner, given my intermediate understanding of running.

This is one of the best running books I have ever read. Written by a runner for a runner. Its written in a way that is easy to read and references science without boring you with it. In addition it does not limit itself to merely presenting science as is becoming the trend. The author also uses experience from athletes a novice and exceptional ability to draw conclusions and links between the science and art of training for success.

This book has been useful in helping me decide what I need to get the most our of my training from a 5k to a marathon. The nice thing about this book is it gives you useful information that you can use or not use. It just nice to learn new information that is not based on personal opinion, but rather in a researched and tested way.

I am a novice runner and lack the time commitment to become an athlete. This book showed me how to make the most out of my training time. Before reading this book at my 1st 1/2 marathon I felt like there was cinder blocks tied to my legs. Now when I run it's more enjoyable. Two weeks after reading this book I've been able to take 5 minutes off my usual route.

Hal gives a detailed account of how the training process for running faster has developed. It's a good book for your basic running library.

This book touches on training techniques generally for all races under a half marathon. It includes advice to keep a runner injury-free while improving times in the shorter races.