In this completely revised and expanded edition of the must-have runner's reference book Bob Glover and Shelly-Ann Florence Glover outline everything you need to train successfully. From the official training program for the New York City Marathon to specific training programs for all levels of runners. Sections on how to prepare your own training schedules make this the definitive guide to training to compete as a runner.
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Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com Review
"Competitive running gives your running life a focus. Competition measures progress. You set a goal and accomplish it." Bob Glover and Shelly-lynn Florence Glover, authors of The Competitive Runner's Handbook, know what they're talking about. Bob has run competitively for nearly 40 years, coached for 30 years, and completed more than 30 marathons, while Shelly-lynn has raced for more than 20 years and is an exercise physiologist with a master's degree from Columbia University. They've coauthored several books on running. Clocking in at over 600 pages, The Handbook covers basic training techniques, gives tips on speed training, and outlines regimens for specific races: short, 5K, 10K, half-marathon, and marathon. There are also sections on motivation and the mental aspects of competitive running, proper running form, nutrition, dealing with illness and injury, and more. In addition, the book includes many helpful charts. Straightforward and authoritative, this is a comprehensive reference guide that's suited to runners of all levels. --Andy Boynton
From Library Journal
As anyone who has ever run competitively knows, there's more to it than putting one foot in front of the other as fast as possible. The Glovers here provide a full range of advice and instruction on all aspects of running, including diet, exercise, training, strategy, and footwear.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
54 of 54 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book starts off by breaking runners into categories from Novice to Elite. There are 7 categories (further broken down by age groups and gender), and any recent race time (from 5k all the way to marathon) can be used to help you find out where you fit. Glover explains the different training concepts to help you improve your times. He goes into a lot of detail about all of the important topics. He gives weekly mileage guidelines, talks about maintaining a running base (what % of your weekly mileage should be used as a base), and what paces you should be training at based on your desired race time. Although his advice is specific (and supported with examples of studies that have been done to prove how certain concepts work), all of his advice can be adjusted to fit the individual reader's level and goals. He gives examples of training schedules for the 5k up to the marathon for each category of runner, and tells you how to write your own schedule. He gives many examples of different types of speedwork, hill training, and tempo training so runners can add variety to their own schedules. He says how often each workout should be done on a weekly basis, and at what point they should be done in the training cycle. This is a great book, easy to read, and full of tips that can help you improve your time at any distance.
I used to do my daily runs at the same pace, and train without a plan. Last year I started training using the concepts explained in this book (speedwork, hills, long run distances), and I have been able to cut 13 minutes off of my half marathon time in less than 8 months. These training concepts are well known, but Glover customizes them to the reader's level, gives many different examples of each type of workout, and expains which workouts are best for the distance you are training for (For example, he says 1 mile intervals are better when training for the 10k up to the marathon, while power intervals and repeats will be more helpful when training for a 5k or shorter distance). This is a great book, and I wish I had read it sooner.
I used to do my daily runs at the same pace, and train without a plan. Last year I started training using the concepts explained in this book (speedwork, hills, long run distances), and I have been able to cut 13 minutes off of my half marathon time in less than 8 months. These training concepts are well known, but Glover customizes them to the reader's level, gives many different examples of each type of workout, and expains which workouts are best for the distance you are training for (For example, he says 1 mile intervals are better when training for the 10k up to the marathon, while power intervals and repeats will be more helpful when training for a 5k or shorter distance). This is a great book, and I wish I had read it sooner.
41 of 41 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book is a great resource for all aspiring competitive runners. However, don't confuse this book with Glover's other book - which is more for beginning and non-competitive runners. There is a lot of overlap between the two books, so there is not much point in buying both. However, I can see a beginner outgrowing the beginner book and wanting the extra info that the "Competitive" handbook can provide. Both are great.
38 of 38 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Let's forget that this book is a huge bestseller in the running market. Lots of running books are more hype than content, or only regurgatate what last month's "Runner's World" has said, and sell just as well. However, "The Competitive Runner's Handbook" is informative, thorough and engaging.
Returning to racing after some fifteen years of basic jogging, I needed a book that took my knowledge seriously. Glover and camp give hard-core, nuts and bolts info. They've provided for the various levels of fitness. I'm not going to run my high schools times first time out, but what happens when I get my speed down? It is in here. Solid how-to, without the fluff of running psychobabble.
Run a 10K? Wanna know how byou might do in a 20K? In a half-marathon? Charts galore. How 'bout intervals and tempo workouts. Marathon training tips? 5K tips? Got 'em!
The beauty of this book.. and the fundmental reason I recommend it, is because the base of info and guidance here is fantastic.
Anthony Trendl
editor, HungarianBookstore.com
Returning to racing after some fifteen years of basic jogging, I needed a book that took my knowledge seriously. Glover and camp give hard-core, nuts and bolts info. They've provided for the various levels of fitness. I'm not going to run my high schools times first time out, but what happens when I get my speed down? It is in here. Solid how-to, without the fluff of running psychobabble.
Run a 10K? Wanna know how byou might do in a 20K? In a half-marathon? Charts galore. How 'bout intervals and tempo workouts. Marathon training tips? 5K tips? Got 'em!
The beauty of this book.. and the fundmental reason I recommend it, is because the base of info and guidance here is fantastic.
Anthony Trendl
editor, HungarianBookstore.com
Most Recent Customer Reviews
"competitive" ? runners handbook
This book was a major dissapointment. I bought the original 25+ years ago when I was running in High School and loved it. Read more
Published 3 days ago by Fossman
Some good advice -- but some dangerously bad advice, too...
I'm giving this book two stars mostly because of its dangerously outdated advice about dehydration and fluid replacement.
As Dr. Read more
As Dr. Read more
Published 12 days ago by Matthew McKenzie
Lots of good advice
This book has a lot of good advice, but I think it's not exactly what I'm looking for with my own training. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Midget Dogg
A must-have book for any runners bookshelf
An excellent book for runners of all levels. It contains ready made training schedules for races from 5k to marathon as well as Glover's theory behind the schedules. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Potcake
Timeless guide for runners of all levels.
This book offers timeless advice for advanced competitors, beginners, and every level of runner in between. Read more
Published 8 months ago by gw1.wright
Great book for any kind of runner
You don't have to be a elite athlete to own this book. It actually gives information to all kinds of runners. Novice, intermediate and elite. Read more
Published 12 months ago by Athletic babe
A must for runners!
I've thoroughly read this book while preparing for a marathon. The book provides several training programs for runners of different capabilities. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Eric
Good book for runners of all types
I am still reading this book but what I have read so far has been good. In addition to running, I enjoy biking, swimming and working out so some of the aspects of this book as far... Read more
Published 15 months ago by holtySenior
Most Useful Running Book I've Read (and I've read plenty!)
This book is loaded with very useful information, and it's written clearly and concisely without too much quasi-inspirational nonsense. Read more
Published 15 months ago by John Craik
Running book
Very good book that came highly recommeneded and has proven to be a wonderful book of knowledge.
Published 21 months ago by Mikelle T. Williamson
Inside This Book
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First Sentence:
In this book, runners are divided into categories by their race times. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
modified fartlek, marathon countdown, race goal pace, peak mileage goal, various training phases, race pace intervals, tempo intervals, specific speed training, weekly mileage goals, peak workout, downhill training, beginner racers, goal race pace, race pacing, speed workouts, stride rate, marathon pace, mileage base, normal training pace, fluid stations, lightweight trainers, training heart rate range, tempo run, speed sessions, finishing kick Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
New York City Marathon, Basic Competitors, Boston Marathon, David Costill, Weeks Total, Central Park, Mother Nature, New York Road Runners Club, Heat Index, Interval Training Guide, Local Champions, Olympic Marathon, Bill Rodgers, George Sheehan, Half-Marathon Marathon, Novice Competitors, Ball State University, Frank Shorter, Off Off, University of Texas, Wall Lean, Bob Glover, Emil Zatopek, Pelvic Tilt, Power Intervals New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
In this book, runners are divided into categories by their race times. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
modified fartlek, marathon countdown, race goal pace, peak mileage goal, various training phases, race pace intervals, tempo intervals, specific speed training, weekly mileage goals, peak workout, downhill training, beginner racers, goal race pace, race pacing, speed workouts, stride rate, marathon pace, mileage base, normal training pace, fluid stations, lightweight trainers, training heart rate range, tempo run, speed sessions, finishing kick Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
New York City Marathon, Basic Competitors, Boston Marathon, David Costill, Weeks Total, Central Park, Mother Nature, New York Road Runners Club, Heat Index, Interval Training Guide, Local Champions, Olympic Marathon, Bill Rodgers, George Sheehan, Half-Marathon Marathon, Novice Competitors, Ball State University, Frank Shorter, Off Off, University of Texas, Wall Lean, Bob Glover, Emil Zatopek, Pelvic Tilt, Power Intervals New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 8
books:
See all 8 books this book cites
4
books
cite this book:
- Overcoming the Fear of Success by Martha Friedman on page 319
- The Inner Game of Tennis: The Classic Guide to the Mental Side of Peak Performance by W. Timothy Gallwey on page 318
- Lore of Running, 4th Edition by Timothy Noakes on page 550
- The Family Fitness Handbook (Penguin Handbooks) by Bob Glover in Front Matter
- The Competitive Edge by Richard Elliott on page 298
See all 8 books this book cites
- The New York Road Runners Club Complete Book of Running and Fitness: Third Edition by Gloria Averbuch in Front Matter, page 196, and Back Matter
- The Complete Book of Triathlons by Sally Edwards on page 121
- The Runner's Bible (Outdoor Bible Series) by Marc Bloom in Back Matter
- Getting Real About Running: Expert Advice on Being a Committed Athlete by Gordon Bakoulis in Back Matter
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