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292 of 315 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Efficient Training Method, March 30, 2008
This review is from: Runner's World Run Less, Run Faster: Become a Faster, Stronger Runner with the Revolutionary FIRST Training Program (Paperback)
I've always had the theory that if everyone who trained for a sport would cut their training time in half, their performance would improve. While this book doesn't advocate that exactly, it proves the idea that training a lot less does improve performance. The method is called the FIRST program, which stands for Furman Institute of Running and Scientific Training.
The book is for anyone who wants to improve their running performance and is divided into 4 sections. The first section explains the FIRST approach, where a "3 plus 2" format is the foundation. This means you have 3 quality runs each week and 2 cross training workouts.
The second section is how to follow the program. Briefly, one day is a cross training day, then a "track repeats" day, then a cross training day, then a "tempo run" day, a day of rest, a "long run" day, and then either another rest day/or optional cross training day. Cross training days include activities such as cycling or swimming.
The 3rd section covers performance factors which include such things as running in hot and cold climates, nutrition, and injuries (readers who have plantar fasciitis that interferes with their running might also be interested in The 5-Minute Plantar Fasciitis Solution).
Lastly, Section 4 covers supplemental training, which I feel is an often overlooked/skipped part of running training. Here you get info such as instructions and pics on how to strength train and stretch for running (important!!).
The book ends with a bonus section on how to qualify/train for the Boston Marathon. Additionally, you get an Appendix A (pacing table) and an Appendix B (how to calculate pacing).
Backed by studies conducted by the authors, this is a great resource for anyone who wants to get better results with less training.
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163 of 175 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Great method poor book edition..., December 11, 2008
This review is from: Runner's World Run Less, Run Faster: Become a Faster, Stronger Runner with the Revolutionary FIRST Training Program (Paperback)
I just bought this book a couple of weeks ago and was very intrigued and motivated about starting an actual training routine. However I was very dissapointed with the book in many aspects that should be weighted before buying the book.
Positive things first:
-the methodology and routines described in this book are great and pretty much proven scientifically which is rare in this kind of books
-a bunch of tables, statistics, etc.
-different programs for 5K, 10K, Half Marathon and Marathon
-lots of letters from runners and answers to their questions makes this more human and you feel less like a guinea pig for an experiment
-stretching diagrams are very detailed and well explained
Negative aspects:
-almost all the tables and programs are available for free from the FIRST web site: http://www.furman.edu/first/fmtp.htm so is it really necessary to write a book this extensive to repeat the information?
-I absolutely HATED that they use english system and then metric system at will.... I was completely lost at some points regarding the distance I was expected to run or my tempo... again, this is solved in the website where you will find the same information in metric units or english units but not mixed together
-first chapters are terribly repetitive, the insist on how less is better and it avoids injuries but is it necessary to repeat it over 50 pages?
-The book seems completely oriented towards qualifying for the Boston marathons... which is fine by me but not every reader cares about a marathon that is mentioned every 2 pages as reference against which all times are measured. I dont see why you cant focus only on 5K or 10K training and enjoy the same method created by FIRST. Yes those 2 programs are available but only about 5% of the book is dedicated to them.
-editor's did a lousy job and some tables go on for pages and pages or sometimes text is interrupted by a runner's letter and then a table and you are suddenly lost and need to focus on what page and what text you were reading
Overall I think its a pretty good running method and program but think twice if you really want to read or buy a book for a program that is already detailed for free in their website and occasiona Runner's World articles.
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41 of 41 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
Kindle version useless, May 21, 2011
This review is from: Runner's World Run Less, Run Faster: Become a Faster, Stronger Runner with the Revolutionary FIRST Training Program (Paperback)
I like the content and idea of the book, but I bought the Kindle Edition and all the critically important training charts are unreadable on the Kindle. I try to "zoom" the charts so I can see them and they only get about 10% larger. Without the training charts, the Kindle edition is pretty worthless. You can get the general idea of the book, but can't get any specifics about training programs for you. If these charts aren't going to be readable on the Kindle, then this should be disclosed before you buy and they should be available online (for free if you bought the book). As it is, I feel like I got ripped off.
If I'm missing some other way to read all these charts on the Kindle (or online), I'd be happy to know how to do it.
Edit: I have discovered that you can download the Kindle reader for the PC, download your digital copy of this book to that and you can read the charts on the PC. It still seems like the Kindle itself ought to be able to present these charts in a zoomed/scrollable format that is readable on the Kindle.
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