Fast Track: Training and Nutrition Secrets from America's Top Female Runner (Paperback)

~ (Author), Jose Antonio Ph.D. (Author) "Let me get this straight right off the bat-even professional runners make mistakes..." (more)
Key Phrases: full warmup, phosphagen pathway, rice cake with honey, World Championships, Olympic Games, Quarter Pounder (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

As she prepares for the 2004 Summer Olympics, our best hope for middle-distance gold tells young women runners where they go wrong--and shares the training and nutrition secrets that put her own career on the fast track

Suzy Favor-Hamilton is the premier female middle-distance runner in the United States, whose many honors include 6 U.S. National Championships, 9 NCAA Titles, and 4 Big Ten Athlete of the Year Awards (now called the Suzy Favor award). In this book, she teams up with Jose Antonio, Ph.D., one of the pre-eminent exercise and sports nutrition scientists in the country, to show young female runners how to improve at their favorite sport.

Currently there are 4.6 million women in the United States who run 100 days or more each year. In Fast Track they will discover:
- How much, how hard, and when to train (and rest)

- The pros and cons of strength training, cross-training, stretching, and other non-running exercises

- How to avoid the top ten mistakes runners usually make

- Why Suzy's diet program is very different than is generally recommended-and how this program has led to dramatic improvements in her running and in her life off the track

Suzy's real-world experience competing at the highest level in athletics combined with Dr. Antonio's in-depth knowledge of exercise and nutrition science will make this book a 'must read' for all female runners-both competitive and recreational-who want to go faster, play harder, and minimize the risk of injury.

About the Author

Suzy Favor Hamilton will appear in her fourth Olympics in 2004. She is a six-time U.S. national champion in middle-distance events. At the University of Wisconsin, she was one of the most successful collegiate runners in NCAA history. Her popularity has led to cover stories about her in Fitness and Runner's World.

Jose Antonio, Ph.D., is an exercise researcher and prolific author who has written five books and more than 300 articles on training and sports nutrition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Rodale Books (July 14, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1594860130
• ISBN-13: 978-1594860133
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #453,912 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Accessable to all readers, especialy valueable for female athletes, October 21, 2005

By	Erik T. Heidt - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is not just a great book on Training and Nutrition but also a great source of lessons learned by a athlete for athletes, especially female athletes. From a technical perspective, the books guidance is up to date and in sync with the latest insights and research into sport's nutrition and training. The book is very readable and should be just as enjoyable and accessible to adult as well as teen athletes.

The book especially shines due to the fact that Suzy Favor-Hamilton, a very successful track athlete, chooses to share how her lack of understanding about training and lifestyle (clean eating, planning, recovery days, etc.) negatively effected her health and athletic development. This allows the book to avoid reading like a text book or technical introduction.

Ms. Favor-Hamilton is very open in the book about the lessons she learned and the cost, in terms of injuries and performance, that she paid to learn them. But this is not a autobiography or self-promotion piece. The book may be of special value to coaches and parents of young female athletes as Ms. Favor-Hamilton discusses quite candidly the pressures she felt to be very light.

As a teaser, here are a few of the "lessons learned" discussed in chapter one:
* A proper diet helps prevent injuries
* Fast food doesn't create fast runners
* Cross-training will keep you healthy
* Take time off to erase mistakes

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars From a coach for young runners, November 24, 2006

By	John Blakely "Author: 'Motivation, Get it, Ke... (Harrison, Ohio) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is fantastic. Suzy Favor has been a woman to be emulated since she first showed up as a world class middle distance runner. She touches some of the very important parts of the physical and psychological needs of an aspiring young female through her own experiences.

In using her own life as a template, many of the young ladies who read this will make better choices when confronted with decisions that could have an adverse impact. As a coach I've seen too many who want to use these young people for their own benefit without regard to their well being or safety.

Nice going Suzy. You were a great runner and are still a great role model.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars For someone who wants to do more than read another book, September 10, 2005

By	Jennifer B. Vanzant - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I wanted to do more than just read another book. This book takes sample nutrition, racing, and workout plans from Suzie herself. As a recreational runner I was nervous whether or not this book was really something that I needed to read as it is geared toward racing preparation. But, my friend who recommended this book insisted that I read it. I don't want to outline the book for you, but if you are looking for some direction to a combination of nutrition, rest, and performance, this is the book for you. This book also focuses on performance rather than just moving along, and I think that is a key element that has enabled me to re-evaluate my lifestyle. I would strongly recommend this book to a runner (or any other athlete, regardless of their sport) whether beginner or intermediate (I cannot say advanced b/c I'm only intermediate). It has helped me so much. Well worth the money and time.