In both these fine books, the author has gone to great lengths to condense and distill only the information that is relevant to you as a runner. Most running and fitness books are filled with fluff and anecdotes; not so here. In one easy-to-carry package, you get a summary of what you need to know as a runner, regardless of your age or level of competition. And you get a workout recording structure that will follow you for a lifetime. --
Fred W. Hornbruch III, 1998It's truly the Rolls Royce of training diaries, a practical bible for the beginner and an easy reference guide for anyone closer to the elite end of the scale. The only objection you might have is that it's an American publication, and most of the advice comes from Americans who you may not have heard of. But that doesn't affect the quality of the advice. If you can only afford one running book this year, make it this one it's worth it. --
Runner's World, UK edition, 1995The almanacs provide substantial amounts of racing and training advice from expert coaches and elite athletes, as well as the authors themselves...the writing is clear and concise...the log pages are well designed...the total package is a good one. --
The Running Journal, 1997
The following review by "fifty-something" businessman, runner and triathlete Fred W. Hornbruch III succinctly describes and compares our almanacs and logs: The Total Runner's Almanac is a 144 page logbook and training manual. Each right-hand page is an undated one week logbook with five daily columns, two for running (many elite runners run twice daily) and three for whatever other activities you care to record.
The left-hand pages are either key workout pages where you can record your key "non-garbage" workouts, or they have training and racing information from top runners and racing authorities. The contributors to the runner's almanac include Joe Henderson, Dr. Morris Mann, the late Dr. George Sheehan and Steve Scott.
I think there is plenty of valuable information for any and all runners, including crosstraining. Plus, there is an excellent chapter on static active stretching. This unique type of stretching was developed by Dr. Morris Mann. It has been used by athletes on all recent US Olympic Teams, as well as by Mark Allen and Paula Newby-Fraser, the best male and female Ironman triathletes of our time, of all time. I have found the stretching chapter particularly valuable for myself as an "older" runner.
The logbook and charts are logically designed and provide an excellent structure for keeping track of your efforts. What's more, speaking as a former publisher, the almanac is printed on high quality paper which provides a good feel and a clean look. It is spiral bound to open out and lay flat. The front and back cover is laminated for added strength and durability. Because of the way new inks work, I would recommend that you use a blank sheet of paper behind the page you write on, however.
There's room for goal setting, race planning and summaries for the week, month, quarter and year. The appendix has some outstanding training overviews, interval charts, metric-to-US conversion charts and charts outlining the risks of running in high heat and humidity.
The Total Runner's Log, is a pared-down-to-the-essentials 102-page logbook and training manual. The page organization is different from the almanac's: there is a 25-page training and racing information section followed by a 53-week log. The log page is similar to the almanac's, but with less room to write. The log has five daily columns, two for running and three for whatever other activities you care to record. There are also summary log pages in the back.
The contributors to the runner's log include Dr. Phil Maffetone (who has compiled a great chapter on nutrition for the runner) and the late Dr. George Sheehan. The chapter on heart rate monitor training (by Seppo Nuuttila from Finland, a long time coach of many Olympic and world class endurance athletes) summarizes what you need to know about training with a heart rate monitor.
In both these fine books, the author has gone to great lengths to condense and distill only the information that is relevant to you as a runner. Most running and fitness books are filled with fluff and anecdotes; not so here. In one easy-to-carry package, you get a summary of what you need to know as a runner, regardless of your age or level of competition. And you get a workout recording structure that will follow you for a lifetime.
Editor's Note: Fred has run the Western States 100 seven (7) times, along with numerous ultras and marathons, and is also a two-time finisher of the Hawaii Ironman Triathlon. He is the owner of Phileas Fogg's in Palo Alto, a book store specializing in travel, sports, health and fitness books. He is a former publisher.
