Customer Reviews

The Self-Coached Runner (Vol 1)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

No matter how much experience you have as a runner, this guide can help you achieve any goal. It is too bad it is out of print; my copy has swelled with rain water from sitting at trackside, been stepped on coming back from workouts, and generally seen more mileage than any of my shoes. Now, if only it would come back into print, I could replace it. The book outlines workout schedules, means to recover from injury, and nearly any other information you might need.

Although this book has been out of print for fifteen years, I managed to borrow a copy from a fellow runner. She recommended it to me because it was very down-to-earth and realistic. She was absolutely right. I have been toying with the idea of running a marathon for years, but every guide or book or program that I have tried has always resulted in a loss of interest in running or a nagging injury. This book is different. It is written by experienced runners who have won consecutive NCAA track championship races and worked with a variety of runners of all types. All the training techniques have been tested and proven to work with emphasis in all the key areas of a runner's life, not just running. This book is one of the best kept secrets in the running world. If anyone has a copy they want to give up, I would sure love to have it. The book lists specific running schedules leading up to specific target times for specific race lengths. It also shows how to adjust the running/training schedules to accomodate conflicts without compromising the goal. Happy reading and good luck!

I have used this book to enhance my training for 5k to the Marathon. It is easy to use and makes a lot of sense. I have also had the pleasure of getting additional help from Al in person. He is my idea of what a coach should be.

This is a book with a series of planned distance runner workouts
to get you in shape for the time you want to run. If you want to run a 40 minute 10K or a 34 minute 10K, the author has got the workouts for 7 days a week that run for months until you are ready to peak. Lots of track workouts, tempo and distance runs. I got in great shape following the workouts for my goal; however, the workouts are tough. I used to do the workouts for a goal a minute slower than my true goal because the workouts were a little too tough. I think the workouts set for specific times were really keyed to make you faster than the time you were training for. If you want to have a planed training program and run your optimum, this is it.

The book was in very good condition. It's almost brand new. I purchased it for my husband who is a marathon runner and he loves it. We are both pleased with the purchase.

I have used this book, and the second volume as well, for years as a starting point for setting up my running plans.

The reason I like this books so much is because it is plans for real runners and it is uncompromising.

These plans are for people who are serious about reaching their goals.

The plans are divided in time goals for different distances. Weather it is a 30 min 10k or a 50 min 10k or a marathon you want to run their is a plan for you.

Each plan has backgrounds on the runners completing them and also how the workouts should be done.

This is a must have book for any runner going it alone and wanting to reach for new heights.

-----Special note if you are going for any distance shorter than 10k you will want the second volume.

OLD SCHOOL BOOK PUTS YOUR CURRENT PERFORMANCE IN PERSPECTIVE AS TO POTENTIAL FUTURE PERFORMANCE .IF YOU ARE PREPARED TO PUT EFFORT IN YOU WILL/CAN ACHIEVE.NOT IN PRINT ANYMORE I BELIEVE BUT GOOD QUALITY SECOND HAND BOOK .GREAT PRICE.

Self Coached Runner by Allan Lawrence, Mark Scheid. Excellent book. Purchased orginally in the 80's and loaned it out. Glad I could find again on Amazon.com

After trying several books on training, I always come back to this one. Not at all dated but I just wish Al could bring it back into print. This book took me to a 3:18 first marathon and a 29 minute PR a year later. The author is now one of the top prep coaches in Houston.