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Summary: First-time marathoners will find this invaluable
Review: This book provides good information on the physical side of marathon training. However, the true value of this book is how it addresses the mental side. I've used their mental techniques, and they work. If you can get to a 12 mile long run (and the book will help you get there as well), longer distances are as much mental training as physical. This will show you how to get there.
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Summary: Excellent Guide For A First Marathon
Review: As a runner in high school, I suffered a knee injury, and as a result I always believed that I would never achieve my dream of completing a marathon. In August of 2000 I decided that a marathon was a must for my personal fulfillment. I ran across Whitsett and Dolgener's book, purchased it, and immediately grew excited as I read through its first pages. I began my training and followed the book's every instruction during those crucial early weeks.The Non-Runner's Marathon Trainer not only prepared me for my first marathon, but changed my entire lifestyle. I ate healthier meals and snacks during my training, utilized my sleep time in such a way that I felt refreshed when I woke up in the mornings, and slimmed down without even meaning to better my appearance! I especially appreciated the advice not to wear a watch while running...this made running less stressful. Plus, I had very little free time, but this training program only requires four workouts each week, and gives helpful pointers on how to arrange these runs around busy schedules. I finished the Kiawah Island Marathon in December 2000 in a decent amount of time, and the following week sent the authors a letter of positive feedback, thanking them for writing this book. If you are not a routine runner but hope to finish a marathon, this book is an excellent source! I highly recommend it.
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Summary: Worked for Us!
Review: I bought this book for my wife for Christmas (2000) after she decided "we" wanted to run a marathon in the spring (2001). We set our sites on the FlyingPig marathon in Cinci OH. We started training Jan-1st following the schedule outlined in the book. On May-6th, we both crossed the finishline in 5-hr 9-sec. Not bad for a couple of 40+ non-marathoners. The book was central to our success. Now my wife tells me "we" are going to run our 2nd marathon in the Fall. Don't buy this book if you really don't want to run a marathon ;-)
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Summary: GREAT BOOK!!!
Review: I bought this book after my roomate followed it to run her first marathon. I am not athletic. I am not a runner, therefore, this book was my savior! IT REALLY WORKS. I have to have a weekly schedule, and this book has one for you! BUY IT! YOU WON'T BE SORRY!!!!
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Summary: Perfect for first-time marathoners
Review: This book is based on a training course that will get anybody from zero to 26.2 in four months. Therefore, it reads like a training course. Each chapter contains material relevant to the current training week, and it does go over the very important topics of stretching, carbs & hydration. It does not concern the reader with improving marathon times, it tells you simply HOW TO FINISH. Of the 200 people that have taken this course, 199 ran their first marathon and there was a wide range of athletic skill among those people. Putting it simple, THIS BOOK WORKS.
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Summary: Once You've Read It, You'll Do It
Review: I had been contemplating a marathon attempt for several years when a friend suggested this book. I read it once to get the ideas and the motivation. Then, I made the decision to run, signed up for a race, and followed the training routine BY THE BOOK. Having been an on-again, off-again runner for years, this kept me motivated and interested enough to finish my first marathon!
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Summary: Quite Simply, It Works!!
Review: I picked this book up the day I decided to run a marathon. I started with just getting out and walking. My aunt and I followed the book and worked our way successfully up to the Los Angeles Marathon. If you follow this book, you WILL SUCCEED. The simplicity and inspiration you find in this book makes it great for a beginner runner...especially if your goal is not of time, but just to finish.
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Summary: If you buy it, You will run!
Review: I ran a few miles several times a week before I bought this book but really didn't think my knees or lungs could go much farther than about six miles. I had been talking about running a half-marathon for years. Finally I was talking to a runner who said if I was serious about it I should buy a book and start training. So I upped my goal to a full marathon, bought this book, read it, followed it, and 16 weeks later I finished a marathon. Other than a commitment to do it, it was almost that simple. The book's approach to staying healthy, staying positive, and finishing the marathon was right on the money. As I trained alone, the stories by other runners really helped. Most amazing was the timing of advice. Often I would get off track or start to set unrealistic goals and about that time, the book would get me back focused on my goal - stay healthy, stay positive, finish. The four day per week approach is also a big plus. With my travel schedule I don't think I could have stuck to a more aggressive schedule. If you follow the plan, four days a week is all you need. Amaze your friends. Commit to this and do it.
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Summary: It really does work
Review: 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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Summary: This book made me a Believer!
Review: Yesterday 10/15/00, I ran and finished my first marathon! I purchased this book back in May/June, read through it that month, chose my marathon, and started the program. I did exactly what the authors said and as an extra helper--I even signed up for a marathon class (but I did not use the class' 6-day weekly training schedule). It turned out, I really didn't need the marathon class, the book alone was enough! I used the 4-day weekly schedule and the mental imagery exercises and it worked! I even missed a few days of training, which I thought might have hindered my efforts during the marathon but my longest run was 18 miles and as they write in the book, "if you can run 18 miles, you can run 26!" Being a first-timer, I set no time goals, my only goal was to finish--(one tip I did take from the class was to do the marathon 5 miles at a time), and I finished my marathon in 5:18. WHAT AN INCREDIBLE EXPERIENCE! I recommend this book to anyone who has an inkling of a thought that they might want to run a marathon--get this book and get started! YOU CAN DO IT! "LESS THAN 1% OF THE POPULATION EVER ATTEMPTS A MARATHON." JOIN OUR 1% MARATHON FAMILY!
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