Customer Reviews

The Triathlete's Guide to Run Training (Ultrafit Multisport Training Series)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

As a triathlete going on my 15th season, I have seen most of the stuff out there. This book is great in that it starts by teaching running technique, which most people ignore. Sure we all know technique is crucial in swimming, but it is in running as well. The author also has a video on his "Evolution" run technique which I have on order.

He claims to have achieved significant efficiency and hence speed improvements in even long-time elite runners, and I believe it. Look at it it this way - you can spend $1000 on race wheels and gain 30secs, or spend a few dollars on this book and/or video and gain more time through efficiency increases.

He also points out that most running injuries are caused by poor technique, and I agree completely. If you have a nagging injury, fix your technique. I have seen this work myself on many runners - try it.

A wonderful bonus is that this book contains one of the best summaries of eating to get and stay lean that I have seen. An entire chpater is devoted to this, and makes the book well worth it if you are just trying to figure out how to lose weight.

This is a worthy and high return on investment book for any triathlete.

Sometimes you're glad when you're asked by Amazon to review a book - in some cases due to the fact that they stink, in others because you've purchased something that you really feel that you can recommend to others. This book belongs in the second category.

The Triathlete's Guide to Run Training is simply the most comprehensive and well structured, easy-to-read, hands-on book about running that I've ever seen (and believe me, as a triathlete I've gone through everything from Posetech to ChiRunning in my quest for reduced run times).

The book will take you through Technique (the actual physics of running, i.e., where does all that energy go that you spend on the track?, how to reduce energy waste and maximize forward propulsion, etc.), Training (planning, bricks, etc.), Preparations, and finally, Racing. The way it's done makes you understand just how good Mierke must be as a coach: everything is short, crisp and to the point.

If you're training by yourself, there are plenty of drills in the book that will take you a long way towards better running efficiency. If you're a coach, there's a lot of stuff from basic to advanced that you can use in your coaching. If you're training with a coach, give him the book and ask him to use it when coaching you - I did and the result has been remarkable: not only do I run faster, I run almost effortlessly after hard biking, and - moreover - I enjoy my running even during races. The only thing that has made that much of a difference for my racing is Total Immersion Swimming (which, by the way, also focuses on efficiency rather than raw power).

In short: highly recommendable book for anyone who's interested in running faster and more efficient (is there anyone who doesn't?). Extra plus for the integration of running into biking specifically and triathlon in general.

I first read the local Library's copy and practiced the drills on my treadmill. A week later my long run went way better than I expected. I came home and ordered my own copy along with the Evolution Running DVD. I have been practicing with the book/DVD combo for 3 weeks now and am happy with my purchase.

I have always struggled with running - I'm slow, it hurts and I never seemed to improve. In 34 years of life, no one has ever explained to me the principles so clearly laid out in the beginning of this book - not my gym teacher, soccer coach, personal trainers, or even the running coaches in the marathon training program I participated in for 6 months. As a former science teacher, I "get" the physics of running and so Mierke's ideas made complete sense to me. I implemented the recommendations for running technique right away and took minutes off my normal run loop, felt less fatigue and soreness in my muscles and felt like a stronger, faster runner overall. It just makes good sense and you can feel right away the shift in propulsion forces from a few small changes. Recommended for the longtime frustrated slowpokes like me!

The portion of this book that deals with technique is very good. I have been using this for three months and it has helped a great deal. However, this is only about 20 pages of info. If you have other training books that deal with periodization and/or training philosophies, most of this book is the same old-same old. I recommend it, but don't think you will have a lot of new information.

Excellent resource for serious traithletes and amateur atheletes alike. I purchased this book for my triathlete husband and one of his daughters who is a runner. Although he majored in physical education and has been an active athlete, teacher, and trainer himself all his life, this book has still helped him to improve his running ability. He now also owns a Seiko metronome and making good use of it with his indoor training on our treadmill. My husband is now 69 and still a winning triathlete!

Professional and amateur triathletes alike will benefit from these tips to help you become a better runner. Find the right training plan for you.

Mierke is an expert in Evolution style running and presents the knowledge necessary to improve one's running skills. The author also discusses approaches to racing and ideas for training plans for various triathlon distances. A great reference!