Better Training for Distance Runners - 2nd Edition (Paperback)

~ David Martin (Author) "Where there is life, there is movement..." (more)
Key Phrases: muscle tension generation, training macrocycle, anaerobic capacity training, Seb Coe, Journal of Applied Physiology, New York (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Better Training for Distance Runners is the complete manual for athletes, coaches, and educators. The book explains complicated issues and answers questions that lead to improved understanding of the art and science of distance running."

Keith A. Brantly U.S. Team Member 1996 Olympic Marathon

"The first edition of Better Training for Distance Runners helped me make it to the 1996 Olympics and I believe this second edition can help me medal in the 2000 Olympics. The book allows runners to focus on specific events in distance running and explains the science of distance running in a manner that all distance runners can understand and use to their advantage. This really is a great book. I honestly was inspired to get out and train after each time I picked it up. I have worked with Dave Martin firsthand and everything I have learned from him is right here in this book. Dave is putting his love for distance running in the hands of the general public."

Mark J. Coogan U.S. Team Member 1996 Olympic Marathon

Product Description

Better Training for Distance Runners provides a prescription for success for today’s competitive distance runners and their coaches. The book combines cutting edge research, sound training principles, and proven program strategies to improve performance in events ranging from the 800-meters to the marathon.

In this comprehensive book on the art and science of distance running, Dr. David Martin and Peter Coe explain how to

• accurately assess running fitness, • gauge training intensity, • adjust training loads to achieve peak readiness for competition, • determine the most effective racing strategy for each event, and • stay healthy throughout a running career.

Better Training for Distance Runners translates today’s science into a practical plan for top performance. It is an essential part of any serious distance runner’s or coach’s library.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 435 pages
• Publisher: Human Kinetics; 2 edition (March 14, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0880115300
• ISBN-13: 978-0880115308
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.5 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #65,560 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

116 of 120 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Clarification on BTDR, May 26, 2000

By	Rodney Mickle (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews

The purpose of the book is to be a comprehensive guide to training distance runners. If you are serious about your efforts in fulfilling your potential as a runner you will need to address all aspects of training. For some that may mean having a scientific fundamental understanding of how the body responds to training. I'm sorry that some of the reviewers may not appreciate the first 4 chapters of the book, which focuses on the physiology of running. Running, like any athletic activity, is about training the body's energy systems. Racing 100 meter requires a different energy system than racing a marathon. Thus training for 800 meters is different than training for 5000 meters. That is why in BTDR you get basic physiology first and training theory second. You can understand the book better if you start from this basic premise. You will understand why running 5 miles at certain speeds will have different effects or how to peak for a racing for a certain period of time. The science aspect makes the book a tough read, but the real value is Chapters 5-8. If the book were to contain only the last five chapters then it would still be valuable. Yes, a basic understanding of science is needed for the first four chapters. However, I find it hard to believe that concepts developed in the later chapters like periodization, total body fitness, race strategies, and training management were not of value to some of the reviewers. Newton give cursory treatment to these subjects, Jack Daniels does a better job in his 'Running Formula' (and would be the book that I would recommend to all high school distance runners), but it's BTDR that really breaks it down. BDTR will get you thinking in a whole new way about your approach to running.

I have to also say a word about the expectation that popular running books created for runner eager to learn more about training. Publications like Runner's World and the Running Times are known for their easy to understand training articles that outline how to get faster. Their publishers also publish books in this same vain. What is not questioned are the training philosophies behind the programs, its just a successful runner (active or retired) or coach giving the cliff notes version of their programs. I'm sorry, but a week in the life of Runner X does me no good if I can't understand where that week is in his/her training, why they are doing what they are doing (re: goals) and most importantly their training philosophy. I applaud the fact that they are reaching a vast audience of runner who really don't want to run a sub 4:00 mile (and that is needed), but I do. BTDR is not meant for them. Glover's book ' the Competitive Runners Guide...' is a good starting point but it is more useful to a beginner runner than a high school cross-country runner (different races different goals). This simplification has its drawbacks; it encourages the simple parroting of training programs without a full understanding of their impact. Do you peak for one racing period, two periods or cycle the program? How long should base training last? When do we introduce anaerobic capacity training? Important questions to a serious runner but a less focused runner could care less. BDTR is meant for those who wish to learn how to develop thier own training programs from scratch. Which means gaining a fundamental understanding of every aspect of training runners. It not enough to say run 10 miles on Sunday as your weekly long run. Why not 5 miles or 20 miles? Is it even worth doing one at all? These questions answered in BTDR and not answered in most other popular running books.

This book is not for every one. A high school runner may not want to know what the aerobic energy system is or how it works. Furthermore, s/he may not even care. Any one can tell some one to run 10 miles one day and 12x400m repeats the next, but if they can't tell you why you are doing that or what effect it will have on you then why would you want to give up your time and effort. For those that do have an interest and want to know what it takes to get to the next level then this book is gold.

Bottom line. If you are not serious about your running then this book is not for you.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Check out the table of contents, May 12, 2001

By A Customer

Some reviews here say that the book is too technical. Others disagree. I think the best thing to do is just read the table of contents and see whether this book sounds like something which is at your level or not.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1. The Biomechanics of Running Kinesiology: The Study of Movement Running-Specific Movement Interesting Questions About Running Biomechanics Evaluating and Improving Running Biomechanics Summary: Using Biomechanics Effectively References

Chapter 2. Muscle Physiology for Running Anatomic Aspects of Neuromuscular Integration Generation of Muscle Tension Skeletal Muscle Fiber Types Effects of Training on Skeletal Muscle Performance Summary: Using Muscle Physiology for Better Training References

Chapter 3. The Energy Dynamics of Running Thermodynamics Made Easy Energy Storage in Tissues: ATP and CP The Four Energy Systems Comparing Aerobic and Anaerobic Metabolism Comparing Carbohydrates and Fatty Acids as Fuels

Metabolism of Carbohydrates Metabolism of Fats: Aerobic Lipolysis Interaction of Carbohydrate and Fat Metabolism During Exercise Summary: Better Training Through Chemistry References

Chapter 4. Heart, Lung, and Blood Adaptations to Running Aerobic and Anaerobic Contributions to Performance Physiological Indicators of Performance Exercise as a Challenge to the Heart, Lungs, and Blood Measuring Cardiopulmonary Fitness in the Laboratory Summary: Training and Monitoring the Heart and Lungs for Better Running References

Chapter 5. Developing Running With Periodization Training Goal Setting Principles of Periodization Periodization Using Multi-Tier Training Constructing Your Own Effective Training Plan Suggestions for Better Use of Multi-Tier Training Using Altitude Training as a Fitness-Enhancing Stimulus Keep a Training Diary Summary: Building Better Fitness by Running References

Chapter 6. Developing Total Fitness Adapting Muscles to Stress Loading

Flexibility: The Essence of Joint Motion Body Composition: Importance and Measurement Summary: Running Improvement Through Total-Body Conditioning References

Chapter 7. Preparing to Race General Concepts for Race Preparation The 800-Meter Run The 1,500-Meter Run The Steeplechase The 5,000-Meter Run The l0,000-Meter Run Road Racing The Marathon Preparing for and Delivering Successful Competitions Summary: Running Your Best Race References

Chapter 8. Managing Balanced Training Fatigue: A Natural Consequence of Training Muscle Soreness and Connective Tissue Injury Overtraining and Staleness: Beyond Fatigue Preventing Overtraining Summary: Extending a Running Career References

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent despite its flaws, November 16, 2003

By	Connor McManus (San Antonio TX USA) - See all my reviews

This book is tailored toward a small group of people, namely very serious competitive runners who plan to manage a successful running career. It is not for the weekend warrior who runs to lose weight, someone trying to run their first marathon, or attention deficit high school students who get discouraged because of the vast scientific knowledge contained in this book. It is a thoroughly researched, brilliantly done, scientifically based work that is probably the most complete book on competitive running ever compiled. I especially loved the fact of the 800m race being included in the strategy section, as a serious 800/1600m athlete is often left without advice on how to run the half, one of the most challenging yet neglected distance events. If you are serious, OR if you are mainly a 800m and 1600m runner as I am, then buy this book, otherwise purchase the Daniels Running Formula, the other `best' running book ever written.