Customer Reviews

Running and Walking for Women Over 40 : The Road to Sanity and Vanity

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Ok ok I admit I saw her on OPRAH and bought the book. ONLY book I bought that I saw on OPRAH, but this is an AWESOME book. I am happy to finally have found a book written by and for a woman over age 40. So many books I have purchased dealing with walking and running were by younger women/men and until you hit age 40 and beyond you just do not know the challenges that ones body goes thru.

I also appreciated learning what it is like for a woman to be a rebel (She was the FIRST woman in the Boston Marathon).I have discovered women over age 40 and 50 become rebels as they discover things about themselves they never knew. Like we CAN indeed become avid walkers and then runners and we CAN finish marathons.

I am still in the walking phase and looking forward to the time when my body can handle a run. This book covers these fears and challenges and issues like knee pain. This is something I am dealing with since I was obese and the extra weight damaged my knees some. But her advise about doing leg lifts to give strength to ones thighs was GREAT advise. The author gives good sound advise based on years of wisdom.

Of course she encourages the reader to see their own doctor and get needed personal help from someone locally well versed in sports medicine etc.

I am buying extra copies to give as Mothers Day gifts to my friends.

I had been walking and not noticing much in the way of results. I picked up this book and saw her plan for becoming a 30-minute runner. Me running seemed completely absurd, but for some reason I gave it a try anyway. Her plan broke it out into simple steps so that you only had to face running a few minutes at a time to begin with. It actually worked. Using her plan, I worked up to running 5K, and recently finished my first 5K race. You get a great sense of accomplishment, and weight is gradually coming off (with reduced eating too, of course). This really isn't a diet book, but if you want to walk or run, it will tell you what you need to get going. Her plans are simple, easy to understand, and they work.

If you've ever thought of running, but can barely even imagine yourself doing it, get this book and get started. (And then order "The Courage to Start" by John Bingham, a terrific motivational book for the beginning runner.)

I hadn't run for 17 years and never ran more than 3.5 miles. (I'm 40.) With the help of this book, I am up to 5 miles (and counting!). The book is easy to read. The program is easy to follow. However, this book is for people who are basically in good health and who like to exercise. The book will not GIVE you motivation, it will simply help you if you are already somewhat motivated and want to get in better shape. I have followed her advice, gotten great results and enjoyed the process. This book has been worth a million to me!

I picked up this book after making a decision to get in better shape (even though I'm only 34). I've always hated running, so I'm not sure what prompted me to consider it. Her system for becoming a 30-minute runner definitely works. Both my partner and I made it to 30 minutes (although it took a little longer than ten weeks). I am now running 54 minutes, my partner 45 minutes. I'd recommend this book to anyone (not only women), even if you only use the time charts for becoming a 30 minute walker/runner and not the rest of the book.

Great Book! This book proved an invaluable source for my wife and gave her the confidence she needed to continue her exercise program and strive for even greater success. It also gave me an insight into what types of issues she was dealing with and together we came up with different ideas to help her achieve her goals. Bravo!

This book contains pretty good, though very basic information. I don't think she really adds anything new to the discussion. I think you can find all the information in this book in many other sources.

I would not recommend for anyone with weight issues. It appears that the author has never had to struggle with weight; and has very limited ideas regarding the ability of women who are overweight to exercise.

This is a wonderful book to read. I happen to know some background information about the author; a women to set world records and goals for women area. K.S. was the first women to ever complete the Boston Marathon and it wasn't easy for her. Reading her book has gave me the strength, energy, and impulsion to start my dream of running and walking. Thanks to her, my dream now seems more real and in reach. Just one step at a time, one foot in front of the other...

Just before turning 50 I decided I wanted to do the thing I've always wanted to do - be a runner. I've wanted to 'be a runner' my whole life but one reason or another, I never did it. I always hated running and would quit. Family obligations got in the way, work, no time, you name it. But this time I wanted to do it.

I set off in the park one day determined to RUN. I jogged for less than 2 minutes and was forced to stop. WOW what an eye opener THAT was! You figured you still *can* run. You figure if you had to save your life or the life of a child, you *could* run, right? But I couldn't! I came home angry and depressed and totally gave up.

Shortly after, I came across this book. With a sigh, I started to look past it but it was actually the picture on the cover that got me. THAT is who I wanted to be. Plain and simple. She is what I thought I would be when I decided to start running! Curiosity got me and I had to buy this book. I figured I might as well find out what she has to say, it can't hurt.

I read this book cover to cover several times and internal chapters more than that. It provided me with coaching, encouragement, answers to questions, and support. Her beginning chart does it right - starts very very slowly and does intervals - a minute of jogging, a minute of walking. I really COULD do this.

I began, I timed religiously, I followed the advice and by God I DID IT! My goal was to be able to run 5k (3 miles) without stopping. I was about halfway there when I stumbled upon the Couch to 5k plan online (Couch25k). I moved onto the C25k plan easily, by equating the two charts and marking off how much I had already accomplished. I continued to move through the chart, running 3x each week at the exact times called for. And I watched in amazement how my body responded to what I was asking of it! It really did.

I'm 50, I'm supposed to have asthma (need no meds anymore) I'm supposed to have high blood pressure (need no meds anymore) and I was overweight (not now). I can run 5k whenever I wish - and I do run 4 or 5 days each week. It has changed my life. Not just physically, but in so many ways. It has opened up friendships I didn't have, made me part of a wonderful group of athletes, and made me feel a huge surge in my own personal SUCCESS, which we all need!

Get the book. Start to do a little and see where it takes you.

As I read this book (I am beginning a walking program), I became very honored to read about all the blood, sweat, and tears Ms. Switzer went through during her career as a runner. She makes you feel you are with her during those times. Her advice is sound, professional, and in your best interest. If you listen to what she tells you, i.e., how your shoes and clothes should fit; how you should start out on your program; and the wonderful advice to "get you out the door," you will have a very long and rewarding running/walking program, that can and will enhance your life. This book has really changed my outlook, my exercise capacity, and pretty much my overall health! Thanks for writing this book, Ms. Switzer. I owe you big time! Sandy, in Florida.

I have purchased MANY books on running but never found one that inspired me like this one. I am not an all out athlete but love to run because of the way it makes me feel. This book really talks about women of age and what to expect from walking and running. I am 53 and thought if I run to much I could really injury myself. After reading the book I have a whole different outlook and just let myself go and I've never felt soooo good. You will not regret buying this book.