Programmed to Run (Paperback)

by Thomas S., Ph.D. Miller (Author) "This is a love story!..." (more)
Key Phrases: compact arm swing, stride dynamics, mental team, Frank Shorter, Boston Marathon, Camp Smith (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"Dr. Miller has captured the essentials of form and function that will enable the new athlete to dramatically accelerate the learning curve while providing the seasoned veteran with the breakthrough keys to unlock the running potential inside. Following the principles outlined in "Programmed to Run" is a sure way to rapid and permanent improvement."
Jeff Arbogast
Track and Cross Country Head Coach, Bingham High School (UT)
National High School Cross Country Champions Boys (1995)


Product Description
Run faster with less effort than ever before! Programmed to Run shows you how to improve your stride mechanics and focus your mind during training and racing so that you can run more efficiently, like elite runners. This approach is based on sound laboratory and field research and supported by results. Programmed to Run will show you how to

• assess your current running technique;
• improve your mechanics to become a more efficient runner;
• use proper breathing skills;
• increase your speed, power, and endurance;
• focus your mind for better performance;
• train your mind and body to work together; and
• apply mental coping and training techniques.

If you’ve got a strong desire to improve, you can learn economy of movement. Learning to apply these techniques will lead to reduced injuries, more effective and consistent training, better racing results, and greater satisfaction and enjoyment in your running. With Programmed to Run you’ll be able to train your mind and body to achieve extraordinary results.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 159 pages
• Publisher: Human Kinetics Publishers (December 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0736037497
• ISBN-13: 978-0736037495
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 7.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #402,584 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good first book, July 25, 2004

By	Travis Cottreau (Wellington, New Zealand) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I am a new runner... before I started training for a 1/2 marathon, I had only run 4-5 k on a treadmill, which I'd been doing on and off for about 2 years.

To be fair, I don't know a lot about running, and probably any book would be a good book for me. Thomas Miller does seem to have a lot of experience about running, and has certainly trained for and run a lot of marathons and 1/2 marathons. He has analysed running in great detail.

Things this book does well:

1) cover running technique (body part alignment, hands, feet, torso etc...)
2) cover breathing (rhino breathing - quite effective I thought)
3) cover the psychological parts of running (negative self talk and how to beat it - quite effectively too)

Things this book does poorly:
1) cover running equipment, shoes, "kit" (he mentioned a kit, but never says what it is).
2) cover how to create a training schedule (he talks about it a lot, but in a hand-waving way with almost no examples)
3) cover nutrition of any kind
4) cover running injuries, how to prevent them and how to treat them

Like another reviewer, I found that Miller spent too much time talking about his own experiences... that has a place, but Miller goes too far in a lot of places.

Unlike another reviewer, I found that the psychological aspects and mind-body control were useful. If you are a serious runner, and have been running for some time, this might not be useful, I'm not sure. As a beginning running, I find that it's helpful to know what to do when you feel like stopping in the middle of a run. This book worked for me, even if it's only been a short while.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A complete guide to running, June 5, 2002

By	Deanna McLaughlin (Salt Lake City, UT USA) - See all my reviews

This is a great book with hands-on concepts for anyone that wants to improve their running performance. The chapters on technique are easy to understand and if you practice them, you will see results immediately in your running.
The chapters on mental performance technique are equally good and hard to come by. If you race, you know your mind often falls apart before your body does. Miller gives you many resources to keep focused on running.
I would highly recommend this book for anyone who wants to run faster and smarter!

3.0 out of 5 stars not so informative, January 5, 2008

By	K. Craig - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I think Chirunning is a more useful book, if you are looking for information on running form. The only useful thing I got out of this book was the part on premeditation of race strategies.