Run Fast: How to Train for a 5-K or 10-K Race [Paperback]

Hal Higdon (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1992

From a senior writer at Runner's World magazine, here is the authoritative guide to proven techniques for the most popular road races. For both beginner and veteran runners, this insider's guide includes information on training, power drills, form, weight training, stretching, injury prevention and more.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Higdon shares training secrets gleaned from a long career as racer, coach, and senior writer for Runner's World magazine, and offers the advice of exercise physiologists and elite runners. He describes a variety of training methods to boost speed and endurance (e.g., intervals, fartlek, and sprints), and covers warm-ups, flexibility, and strength training exercises. The text could benefit from an appendix of sample workouts for easier access, illustrations of the exercises, and a glossary of terms. This book complements the works of Jim Fixx, George Sheehan, and Bob Glover and should be useful in running collections due to the increased popularity of short-distance races. Higdon's love of running, unabated at age 60, will inspire joggers of any age.
- Sandra Math, St. John's Univ. Lib., Staten Island, New York.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Paperback: 223 pages
• Publisher: Rodale Pr (April 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0875961037
• ISBN-13: 978-0875961033
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.8 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #684,855 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Racing Tips, January 27, 2000

By 

Michael Merlino - See all my reviews

This review is from: Run Fast: How to Train for a 5-K or 10-K Race (Paperback)

The only book I have found on how to train for the short distance races. The 10K race has now become the most popular road race in a America with the 5K quickly gaining in popularity. Whether you are a beginner road racer or shooting for a new personal best, this book does a great job of breaking down training schedules and drills to run smarter and prepare for race day. Hal also covers nutrition for runners and pre-race rituals that have helped him compete over the years.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Run Fast is eye-opening, May 25, 2000

By 

mark861 - See all my reviews

This review is from: Run Fast: How to Train for a 5-K or 10-K Race (Paperback)

This book was written for runners with at least a year of running behind them. Filled with anecdotes, it serves to demistify principles and terminology unique to the running culture. The training methods described are tried and true, scientifically backed methods used by today's elite athletes. It is very thorough without having the quality of a "dry" technical manual. Like Galloway's Book On Running, I find myself going back to it to brush up on my training.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a great book for improving your running!, July 11, 2007

By 

Peter (Ontario, Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Run Fast: How to Train for a 5-K or 10-K Race (Paperback)

I simply can't believe how well this book is written! A good sized, easy-on-the-eyes font (I've read a hard copy, 1992 library version), an easy-to-read and flowing writing style, and even has a bit of humor thrown in.

While not highly technical, it does explain all aspects of running in simple, clear, everyday English (of course, it does not cover, in detail, training for marathon running). Within the last couple of months, I've looked at and read about a dozen books on running and this was by far the best. A lot of other writers throw convoluted training schedules at you, backing them up with confusing and controversial "research." Mr. Higdon's recommendations are based on a lifetime of running experience. He also quotes a lot of other running authorities in this book (I mean a lot!), but all these quotes are brief, clear and very practical.

All that said, this book is not aimed at the elite runner. In my opinion, it is written for the beginning and intermediate levels.

The book clearly explains the process and importance of warm-up and stretching drills (applying dynamic flexibility for smooth running), running form, speedwork (feel the difference between fast and FAST), speed endurance, and such training methods as interval training, repeats, sprints, surges, strides, fartlek, up-tempo running, and power hills (both up and down hill). Again, I can't emphasize enough, all these terms are explained very clearly, without applying lengthy and boring technical terminology. He speaks to runners of all ages, from teens to seniors (he had just turned sixty when he wrote this book). He also touches on strength training and becoming your own coach.

Although I have said this is not a highly technical book, you will still learn about VO2 max, heart rate monitoring and training (i.e., training at different percentages of MHR - this section is very brief), anaerobic (or lactate) threshold, and the likes. And you will finally understand them too!

Mr. Higdon will even warn you about tying your shoelaces incorrectly prior to a race! - Very thoughtful and insightful.

(To compare, I liked this book much more than "Daniels' Running Formula", or "Galloway's Book on Running, 2nd Edition", or "5K and 10K Training" by Clarke, or even "Road Racing for Serious Runners" by Pfitzinger, etc. While these authors may be great runners, their books just did not reach or connect with me. However, a book that you may find helpful and a good companion is "Total Heart Rate Training" by Joe Friel. It fills in the parts that Mr. Higdon's book did not cover quite enough.)

If you are tired of reading dry, confusing, highly technical or misleading books (some giving instructions that, if followed, could cause injuries), do yourself a favour and read this straight-forward and highly practical book.