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The Non-Runner's Marathon Trainer [Paperback]

David Whitsett (Author), Forrest Dolgener (Author), Tanjala Kole (Author)
4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (217 customer reviews)
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Product Description

Athlete. Runner. Marathoner. Are these words you wouldn't exactly use to describe yourself? Do you consider yourself too old or too out of shape to run a marathon? But somewhere deep inside have you always admired the people who could reach down and come up with the mental and physical strength to complete such a daunting and rewarding accomplishment? It doesn't have to be somebody else crossing the finish line. You can be a marathoner. The Non-Runner's Marathon Trainer is based on the highly successful marathon class offered by the University of Northern Iowa, which was featured in a Runner's World article titled "Marathoning 101." The class has been offered five times over 10 years, and all but one student finished the marathon. That is approximately 200 students -- all first time marathoners and many with absolutely no running background. This book follows the same 16-week, four-day-a-week workout plan. What makes the success rate of this program so much higher than any other? The special emphasis on the psychological aspects of endurance activities. You don't have to love to run -- you don't even have to like it -- but you have to realize that you are capable of more than you have ever thought possible. One participant in the program explained it like this: "I'm doing this for me -- not for others or the time clock. I just feel better when I run, plus it helps me to cope with things in general. The skills we've learned in this class don't apply just to marathoning -- they apply to life! Just like you never know what the next step in a marathon will bring, so too, you never know what will happen next in life. But if you don't keep going, you're never going to find out. By staying relaxed, centered, and positive you handle just about anything that comes your way." This is marathon running for real people, people with jobs and families and obligations outside of running. The Non-Runner's Marathon Trainer has proven successful for men and women of all ages. Now let it work for you.

About the Author

McGraw-Hill authors represent the leading experts in their fields and are dedicated to improving the lives, careers, and interests of readers worldwide

Product Details

  • Paperback: 304 pages
  • Publisher: McGraw-Hill; 1 edition (January 11, 1998)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1570281823
  • ISBN-13: 978-1570281822
  • Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 7.1 x 0.7 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (217 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #12,660 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
    #10 in  Books > Health, Mind & Body > Exercise & Fitness > Running & Jogging
    #39 in  Books > Sports > Individual Sports
    #2 in  Books > Health, Mind & Body > Exercise & Fitness > Marathons

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More About the Authors

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.
David A. Whitsett
David A. Whitsett
Tanjala Mabon Kole
Tanjala Mabon Kole
Forrest Dolgener
Forrest Dolgener

Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
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Inside This Book (learn more)
First Sentence:
We human beings have a unique capacity to make our own reality. Read the first page
Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
marathon week, beginning marathon training, marathon class, medium incomplete, fluid replacement drink, training mileage, stability shoes, marathon experience, running experience, marathon day, running injuries, maximal heart rate, average runner, good running shoes, running form, past participants
Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
The Non-Runner's Marathon Trainer, Ron Steele, Jane Mortenson, Scheduled Actual Distance Distance, Training Day, Physical Preparation Week, Kathy Schneider, Patti Hasty Rust, Getting Close, Crossing the Emotional Plateau, Eric Johnson, Beginning the Training Program, Going Over, Miles of Training, Half-Way There, Jeri Kurtzleben, Julie Stone, Developing Your Training Base, Keith Wendl, The Non-Runners Marathon Trainer, Elizabeth Kilgore, After the Marathon, Jennifer Haglund, Chris Henle, Heidi Brandt
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Customer Reviews

217 Reviews
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Average Customer Review
4.7 out of 5 stars (217 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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533 of 534 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Got 16 Weeks?, March 16, 2008
This review is from: The Non-Runner's Marathon Trainer (Paperback)
Originally published in 1998, this book has been around awhile and stood the test of time. Who's it for? NORMAL people who have the desire to run and complete a marathon BUT also have other commitments that take up their time such as a family, job, etc. Don't have tons of time to train? This is your book. Need to get together a plan of attack? Keep reading.

The promise of the book is to that you'll be able to run 26.2 miles training just 4 days a week with no runs over 18 miles. It is based on a marathon class offered over the years at the University of Northern Iowa that touts a high success rate for 1st time marathoners. The book accomplishes this goal in sixteen chapters, one for every week of training.

Each chapter is cleanly divided up into 3 parts. Part one deals with the mental aspects of marathon training (which in my opinion is just as important as physical preparation when it comes to marathons), part two lays out the actual training program for the week, and the third part of each chapter contains advice and suggestions from people who have done the course and the program.

The book has a final 17th chapter which gives advice such as what to do after the marathon to make sure you recover well. Finally, the book ends with three appendices- one is a list of marathons to help you pick from, another on research that has been done on the program, and the last one a list of references and resources (always good to have those at hand).

All-in-all its a very COMPLETE book covering everything you can imagine about training for a marathon such as stretches, weight training exercises, nutritional advice, how to dress, and what shoes to wear.

Some practical bits: the 16 week training program does start you out running three miles, so in reality, you can tack on about another month or so of training to the 16 weeks in order to build up to the 3-mile starting point of the program. Along the same lines, pick a marathon that will be held no less than five months from the time you expect to start getting ready. And finally, runners suffering from plantar fasciitis might also want to check out The 5-Minute Plantar Fasciitis Solution. Good luck :)
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94 of 96 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars An integral part of my training!, May 31, 2000
This review is from: The Non-Runner's Marathon Trainer (Paperback)
For years I had watched people run marathons, and was filled with a mixture of awe and the feeling that "they are nuts!" Deep down I knew that I wanted to tackle a marathon someday, but I was scared that I didn't have it in me. This book changed that perception.

In the spring of 1999 I suddenly decided to sign up for the Twin Cities Marathon. In searching for advice on how to prepare, I checked out every book I could find at our local library. Most of them were just not for me. They assumed that I had been running for years (in truth, I hadn't laced up my shoes in almost 10 years). The minute I picked up this book, that all changed. It might as well have been titled "Ben's Marathon Trainer."

The tone/mantra of this book is simple and consistent -- "If you WANT to run a marathon you CAN run a marathon." You set your goal (to finish the race regardless of time) and visualize that goal early and consistently.

Each chapter focuses on one week in a 16 week training schedule. They provide a well paced physical schedule like all the other books. However, what this book provides that the others are lacking is a week by week EMOTIONAL training schedule. I don't know how many times I would come back from a training run feeling a little down, pick up the the book, and find that the next section talked SPECIFICALLY about the emotions I had felt on the run.

Count me as one of this book's success statistics! Just as I visualized, I finished the TC Marathon with flying colors (if not a flying time ;) ). Better yet, I loved every minute of it.

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89 of 91 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars It really does work, October 24, 2000
By "has422" (Springfield, VA United States) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Non-Runner's Marathon Trainer (Paperback)
The training course (which includes only four runs a week) is very reasonable for us non-runner types, but what really make this book work are the mental exercises. Due to injury I actually missed the two longest long runs and started two weeks of physical therapy a month before my marathon. But because this book keeps reinforcing keeping a positive attitude it never occured to me that I wouldn't finish. Well, this Sunday (Oct 22) with a heavily bandaged knee and my longest previous run being only 16 miles, I finished the Marine Corps Marathon in 5:39:39. I found out after the fact that even my doctor didn't think I'd make it.

For the record, before I started training six months ago I had never been a runner. My first run of 1.6 miles made me dizzy, exhausted and very sore afterwards. Six months later I can run 26.2 on a bad knee. If anyone out there is at all interested in running a marathon I say go for it. The feeling of running across that finish line while the crowd is cheering you on is more than worth it.

If you do decide to do it, buy this book.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Worked for me
I never thought I'd be a Marathoner, but after 16 weeks and this book, I can now call myself one. I'm so happy a friend of mine told me about this book and although I wanted to... Read more
Published 8 days ago by F. M.

1.0 out of 5 stars Sale canceled by Amazon. Never contacted by seller.
The sale was canceled by Amazon a few days after I made the purchase and my account was charged. I never heard anything from the seller as to why the sale was canceled. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Renee724

3.0 out of 5 stars Based on college programs
This book is nothing more than the college marathon program in print. If your going to spend the time doing it, you might as well sign up for the class and get the group support... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Doc Beech

4.0 out of 5 stars The Non-Runner's Marathon Trainer
I was actually looking for a book for my Kindle and came across this one. I downloaded it onto my Kindle and then ordered a hard copy because it was such a great instructional... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Debi Nish

5.0 out of 5 stars Followed the plan and ran a marathon
I've been a casual runner for years and always thought those people that run Marathons must be insane. At 46, I had a crazy flash and decided I wanted to run a marathon. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Gary

3.0 out of 5 stars Great read - but not sure I agree with the premise
I read the book (several times) as I was getting into running. I can't argue with the incredible success that the authors have had, and with the numerous testimonials (both in... Read more
Published 2 months ago by J. Herman

5.0 out of 5 stars great training book
I have used this book & it is great for the person who wants to run a marathon but has a full time job & busy life. Follow the book, it works.
Published 4 months ago by Billie J. Rorrer Boles

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book for a first time Marathoner!
I just completed my first marathon and used this book as my training guide! Very well written and easy to understand, it is truly for people who's goal is to train for, and... Read more
Published 4 months ago by MaxandRob

5.0 out of 5 stars Achieving Your Running Dreams
After completing the Derby Marathon this weekend (my first marathon), I went back through this amazingly simple book that took me from a novice runner where I used to think that... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Steve

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book!
As a short distance runner, I found this book very helpful while training for my first marathon. I could completely relate to many of the stories and found the guidance to be... Read more
Published 4 months ago by JBC

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