Customer Reviews

The Runner's Book of Training Secrets

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

 

 

I have read many books on running. This is by far the worst. Elite runners give you their training routines. This would be OK if one were an elite runner. Some examples are: easy day run ten miles at 6:00 minute per mile pace. If I could do that, I would write my own book. This book offers nothing new and is not helpful for the average to above average runner who is looking to better their race times.

I totally disagree with the negative review of this book! "Training Secrets" provides much, much more than sample training schedules of elite runners. (I agree that this aspect of the book was the least helpful for me, too, but they are added in simply to illustrate training points that are made in each chapter and total maybe 20 pages of a 200+ page book, at most.) I'll never run like an elite, but this book gave me high quality information and changed my attitude from one of a social runner to a serious runner. I simply adjusted the information to fit my current performance level (which is MUCH lower than an elite). My training program improved immediately, and a month later, I saw a significant change in my performance. I was so impressed by the content of this book that I have recommended it to all my running buddies and to my brother, who is a 3:09 marathoner (so far).

"Training Secrets" is well written, concise, and thorough. If you are already very knowledgeable about BEST PRACTICES for base training, cross-training, speed training, treadmill running, injury prevention, and much more, then, yes, this book would be repetitive for you. For me, it's the first book that I have come across that covers everything accurately and concisely, in an easy-to-read and easy-to-reference manner. Plus, I enjoyed the quotes from elite runners that were interspersed throughout the text. They were very motivating. It is a book that is most useful if read from beginning to end.

If "Chi Running" by Danny Dreyer is my Old Testament for running (--the first book that really excited me about distance running technique), then "Training Secrets" is my New Testament!

Ken Sparks and Dave Kuehl book is exactly what the title says Comprehensive and detailed advice from people who have been successful in competitive running. Not for the weekend or recreational runner perfect for runners who are serious about running faster and improving