Customer Reviews

Running for Mortals: A Commonsense Plan for Changing Your Life With Running

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I've been an on again/off again runner for about 10 years and I've read several books on running over the years. So, I THOUGHT that I knew what I was doing.

After reading through the first half of this book, I came to realization that I really don't know what I'm doing as a runner at all! I wish that this book existed 10 years ago when I first started running - I'd be in much better shape than I am today.

This book is geared for beginning runners, but you might be surprised at what you can learn, even if you've been at it for a while.

Last, this book is fun to read and I'm finding it to be quite inspirational.

As a middle-aged man who had slid into sloth I began regular running a few months ago. Shortly after starting I discovered John Bingham's first book The Courage To Start: A Guide To Running for Your Life which echoed and reinforced my reasons for running, provided practical advice and ideals to aspire to in both running and life. It really helped me to get over the initial hurdles and take pride in completing a couple of races. I purchased 'Running for Mortals' looking for guidance in the next steps of my running but found that the bulk of the book is directed at those just starting out or considering doing so.

'Running For Mortals' contains quite a lot of practical information. I was interested in the discussion of the different rates at which your cardiovascular, muscular and skeletal fitness/strength develop and how awareness of this in the early stages can help to prevent injury. The chapter on stretching is well set out and I learned some new exercises (including a stretch to help avoid the dreaded ilio-tibial band syndrome that so many runners complain of). The chapter on strength training is similarly well set out with exercises that don't require costly equipment.

Some basic information is provided to help navigate the confusing world of running shoes but I think it would have been useful to have some discussion about rotating different pairs of shoes. The authors emphasize the value of going to a specialist shop for expert fitting.

The training programs included with the book are well set out and cater for a range of existing fitness levels and running goals. If you are looking to intersperse some running into your walks, or build up to continuous running, or your main aim is weight loss, then I think you will find these programs well structured and achievable. But if, like me, you are an early-stages runner at a slightly higher fitness level (e.g. you can run for an hour or two continuously and without undue stress) then only the 10km training program will be of interest. The authors suggest that their earlier book Marathoning for Mortals is intended for folks at this and higher levels and this is the one I'll be buying next.

Why only three stars ? Several reasons. Firstly, while both authors write clearly and engagingly, the text shifts from sections of first person singular voice, where it is sometimes clear who is writing and sometimes not, to first person plural. I found this a bit awkward at times. Secondly, there is some padding - a prime example being the chapter 'Becoming your own coach' which consists of a series of short character sketches linked to each of the training programs. I didn't find that this added any useful information. Thirdly, although this may be an unfair criticism, the book lacks the magic of 'The Courage to Start' which has an often zen-like discussion of runner's mind and how running can enrich your wider life emotionally and philosophically. The short 'Penguin Pearls of Widsom' at the head of each chapter in 'Running For Mortals' give some flavour of this, but for those teetering on the cusp of running I'd strongly recommend that you chase up a copy of 'The Courage To Start' first.

....simply because I can't stand reading.

I got this book because it was recomended to me.

I just started to get active again. I, like the author, was aging, overweight, and couldnt play with my kids without getting out of breath.

I started dieting, changing my lifestyle, and running.

The running part, was the hardest part.

This book, explains everything that will happen to your body. Lays it out, it plain terms, and really inspires you once you know what is happening to you, is normal.

I got this about 2 months into my running lifestyle. The first 2 chapters, all I kept saying is, "Woah, THAT'S why my legs hurt when I did this, Ohhhhh, that's why I felt I could go longer, and physically couldn't."

This book is a must have for the beginning runner.

If you are teetering on this, let me break this down honestly.

In Aug 08, I was 283 pounds. Today, 11/13/08 I am 240, and I ran my first 5k this weekend in 29 mins. My blood pressure and cholesterol have dropped DRASTICALLY.

I owe it all to running.

I've read most all of John Bingham's books and I feel this one is even better than the previous ones. I think Jenny's comments and experience, added with John's make it an all around great book for every runner. Their writing is easy to understand, and relate to. The only runner that might not want to read it, is the elite runner that knows it all anyway :) The rest of us love to read books by people that can relate to the every day runners experience, as well as give us practical advice to become the best we can be. John and Jenny are encouraging and inspiring, and that is evident in this book.

I started and finished this book the day it arrived. It provided some good information about the technical aspects of running and training. As a runner of about four months, I felt like already knew most of this information from reading on the Runner's World Web site. If you know nothing about running, this book is a great place to start and will help you immensely.

What I did find interesting were the backstories of Bingham and Hadfield, especially Bingham. They were inspiring and will reinforce my quest to become a successful and lifelong runner for at least a little while. I am glad that I picked up this book. I didn't learn a whole lot, but it was motivating.

I found this book a great read for both newbies and experienced runners. Although I have been running for years, I found his wit and wisdom through the retelling of his own story both motivating and encouraging. New runners I have lent it too love the fact that he keeps things simple and on a readable level. If you are looking for a book about VO2 max, periodization, and HR threshholds...look someplace else.

But if you want to be reminded of why you are running in the first place, pick up this "tell it like it is" account of running.

I love this book. It answered so many of my questions and instructed me on the basics. I am a old nurse and I learned things about my runners body that I never knew.
Thanks John and Jenny for taking the time to instruct we newbies.
This is the second book I have read by John Bingham. The first was Courage to Start which gave me the inspiration and motivation to begin no matter what others said.
Thanks John and Jenny you did it again.
I will be watching for your next book.
Leslie Carmody
62 year old Newbie Runner.
My first 5K was December 11, 2010
Who Whoooo I'm on my way thanks to you.

This book has had a profound impact on my life. I've not been a runner. I actually hated running. The approach that John and Jenny take to running is so reasonable: train slow (I had to learn what slow really meant) and avoid injury. The weight loss program also worked for me. A friend of mine loaned me her copy of RFM, and I was so inspired, I bought the Marathoning for Mortals book at the same time. Now, I'm training for a 25-mile trail run in October. I could never have imagined this two years ago! Great book, even for seasoned runners, I would think.

I cannot recommend this book highly enough. I've been running recreationally on and off (sadly, mostly off) for about 10 years and I've had phases when I've ran really well regularly and when I've struggled getting 30 minutes in per week. Not only is "Running for Mortals" quite inspirational, but it also corrected so many misconceptions I've had about how to become a "better" runner. Like most people, I suppose, I always thought that if high intensity over a short period of time is good, then high intensity over a longer period is better; and that if I'm improving my 5k time every few months then I'm on the right track even if I'm really struggling to keep going faster and found it harder to do the next run. Well, I was wrong on both counts (and on several others)! Bingham and Hadfield explain that there's ONLY one way to become a better runner and only one way to enjoy this sport over an extended period of time (I won't ruin it by giving the answer away). Suffice it to say that running "harder" is almost never "better". Bingham and Hadfield give many detailed technical tips on how to improve and explains the proper mental atitude to adopt. And I believe the training plans included in the last part of the book serve both experts and novices quite well. Even if I do almost all of my running indoors, I now have a renewed outlook on running and have become more patient and smart about how to go about achieving, and ENJOYING, my running goals. Most of all, both my wife and I have fully committed to doing the programs together so this book started us out on a new shared experience that'll hopefully last many years.

John's books are the best. Of course the first one will be my favorite. This book is a great read and you will finish it quickly. For the beginner you will learn a great deal and for those of us who have been running for a while, you will find humor and a bit of info along the way.