Run Your First Marathon: Everything You Need to Know to Reach the Finish Line [Paperback]

Grete Waitz (Author), Gloria Averbuch (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 2007

What runner doesn’t hope to compete in, and complete, a marathon? This 16-week program developed by nine-time New York City Marathon winner Grete Waitz—and used by her to train both amateurs and professionals for the biggest races—can make that dream come true. Written in an efficient and useful style, and featuring more than 50 photos, it discusses base fitness, stretching, proper posture, and staying healthy through it all, as well as how personality and motivation affect training. Waitz also covers the most current and cutting-edge trends in long distance running, including cross training with yoga, Pilates, and deep water running. There’s also a special 30-minute beginner’s program as well as advice specifically tailored to first-time marathoners over 40 years old.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Who better than Grete Waitz, nine-time winner of the New York City marathon, to take a runner through that first 26.2 mile race? Ms. Waitz's conversational style makes this book less like a dry manual and more like having a friend tell you what to expect. -- Dallas Morning News

About the Author

Grete Waitz is a celebrated marathoner who has won the New York City Marathon a record nine times.


Gloria Averbuch is a competitive runner and writes extensively on running and fitness.

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Skyhorse Publishing (November 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1602391203
• ISBN-13: 978-1602391208
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,105,158 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 Get Ready To Toe The Line..., January 8, 2008

By 

Brian Hawkinson (San Jose, CA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Run Your First Marathon: Everything You Need to Know to Reach the Finish Line (Paperback)

If you do a quick google search of Grete Waitz you will find a ton of information on such an accomplished runner. For this alone her book is worth considering. Her wealth of knowledge is put to good use as she walks the runner through the experience from the ground up, moving from beginning training to after finishing, giving anecdotes and examples along the way.

I've ran in 6 marathon or longer races thus far and am still learning some of what she writes in this book. Reader beware, though, this book is for exactly what the title states, for runners looking to run their first marathon. A lot of the information given is very basic to runners who have ran this distance already, but to someone who never has ran 26.2 she touches on every aspect and allows the runner to become well informed in what they are getting into.

She briefly touches on two training schedules within the book. The first is for those readers who have ran very little at all. It sets them up and begins conditioning them to running, which in turn prepares them for the actual marathon training. So if you do run some then the training schedule number two is where you would begin. But it is very basic, kind of a run these miles on these days on this week. And she makes it clear that this book is not meant as a day by day guide to your training.

Instead she focuses on the stuff that is overlooked when researching and preparing for a marathon. She goes over running basics, such as form and speed and so on, as well as signs to prevent injury, motivation, and running gear among other information. But the most important chapter is Chapter 12: Marathon Nutrition and Hydration. Even if you have ran a marathon before this is a good chapter to read and refresh and/or educate yourself again. There is a good amount of base information that will probably go the farthest for any marathon hopeful in aiding them to the finish line. Additionally, the final chapter, The Race, is also very useful for the beginning runner because it goes over some of what you will feel, see and expect when you toe the line.

I wish I would have found Mrs. Waitz's book before I ran my fateful, yet ill prepared first marathon at San Francisco.

If you are a first time marathoner I would give this book a good read and set your goals on that marathon.

5 stars.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars You can do better., June 5, 2010

By 

Omnivagus (Maine, USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Run Your First Marathon: Everything You Need to Know to Reach the Finish Line (Second Edition) (Paperback)

By hearing the credentials of Grete Waitz, I was expectant to learn much from this book about my first marathon training. What I got however, was the desire to break out a red pen and an overwhelming need to get a better book. The entire work is filled with obvious grammatical errors (even on the back cover, "udated" rather than "updated" is featured in bright yellow lettering. If only I had paid attention to that!) English errors aside, this isn't a very helpful book as a guide. Most of the information in it is little more than common sense, and if it isn't, could have easily been gleaned from the internet. Grete has but one 16 week training program, and a bonus one previous to that to make sure you are fit to run. The descriptions of the programs are lacking at best, and offer scant insight on the timing of strength training or stretching. For a better knowledge base and a book you'll go back to when you have questions, try The Marathon Method: The 16-Week Training Program that Prepares You to Finish a Full or Half Marathon in Your Best Time By Tim Holland- it features far more detailed and varied training plans, so you'll be more likely to find one that suits you. With all respect to Waitz and her amazing accomplishments, her book fell far short of the training bible she claims it to be.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good read, February 29, 2008

By 

J. Poirier "JP" (California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Run Your First Marathon: Everything You Need to Know to Reach the Finish Line (Paperback)

Interesting, well-written and informative book. It is truly a book for first-timers, however, and most of the information -although relevant to running- is general, for the large public. She does cover most if not all topics that you might want to read about. It is a good inspiration especially if you doubt you can run a marathon.