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Summary: The most motivational book in the WORLD!
Review: Don't buy this book unless you want to be a marathoner. It is easily the most motivational book I have ever read. It covers the physical, mental and emotional tools you will need to complete a marathon. My wife and I ran the Kona Marathon in June 2003 and had a great experience. (Our run was a fund-raiser for the American Diabetes Association. The book helped us focus on both our training and fund-raising.) We've recommended the book to four other friends and they have all run, completed and enjoyed the journey. I am a marathoner! Thanks for this wonderful book!
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Summary: I did it!
Review: On December 7th, 2003, I completed my first marathon, the Tucson Marathon! This book was the best of several books I purchased to help me achieve my goal. There are many other books available to help train you for a marathon, but this one really spoke to me, as a "non-runner". My goal was not to run it in a certain amount of time, but just to finish, and that is what this book is all about. It prepared me for both the physical and the mental challenges (and the mental ones are the toughest ones, believe me!). I would also recommend, "First Marathons" by Gail Kislevits, and "The Quotable Marathoner" by Charles Lyons.
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Summary: I Did It!
Review: I bought this book almost a year ago with the plan of running my first marathon at the age of 43. Prior to starting the program, I was an occasional recreational jogger who had never run further than five miles in my life. I read the book from beginning to end and started the training program last March. In November of this year I completed the New York Marathon. I highly recommend this book!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent in every way.
Review: I have run for over 20 years and never contemplated a marathon. My wife trained with 3 friends and ran one in 2001; I was the support person and ran the last 7 miles. I did a couple of half marathons and did not do well and wanted to train, formally, for a half marathon. I decided to start from scratch and I bought this book thinking that if I did some or most of their training protocol, I would be in good shape for a half marathon. The book sucked me right in from the start. It has spoken to me as few other books have (Body Building 101 did, too). I did the training and enjoyed it where before distance running could be a chore. My wife and I completed the Cape Cod Marathon on 10/26/03 and I know in my heart that I would never have even started this journey without the inspiration, information and motivation of the folks that wrote this book. I am positive that the physical and mental tools it taught me will continue to make a huge difference in every aspect of my personal and professional life. A truly wonderful book and experience. Its not about the 26.2 miles, its about learning how to overcome self-imposed limitations in every aspect of life be they physical, mental, emotional or spiritual.
Rating:
Summary: GREAT book.
Review: Seven months ago my 40-something, overweight, former smoker, flabby, wimpy self began reading this book. This past Sunday, October 19, 2003 my two running buddies and I ran our first marathon. They finished; I didn't. But it wasn't because the advice and training offered in this book isn't right on target; I was just too slow for the time limits set by the marathon. Thanks to following the training in this book my body and my mind could have kept going right to the finish line (I got picked up at mile 21). Too bad I didn't know when I registered early on in the training that I'd need more than 6 hours to finish. GREAT BOOK.
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Summary: The perfect trainer for a first-time marathoner
Review: This book is awesome for first-time marathoners. In addition to having a training schedule that is easy to follow, they help you realize that you can do this! I finished my first marathon a week ago (Detroit, 4:25) and the book was probably as important to the training as my running shoes!
Rating:
Summary: Inspirational and Practical
Review: Following the plan outlined in this book, I ran my first marathon on May 18, 2003. 4:51:13, Baby! I am a proud turtle. This book has a easy training plan and prepares you for each step of the process. If you want to run a marathon, buy this book!
Rating: 
Summary: Promises more than it should?
Review: The premise of this book is that virtually anyone can finish a marathon by following this four month schedule. The book is based on the authors' experiences teaching a 4-month long "Marathon class" at a university on several occasions. The authors assert that only ONE person out of 200 who have taken the class failed to complete a marathon (allowed himself to get dehydrated.) I'm wondering if there is a hidden stat here not revealed--how many people dropped out of the class because of injury or exhaustion? As an "adult onset athlete" who began getting serious about exercise a little less than two years ago, I'd have to say this book, for all of its inspiring promises, doesn't jibe with my experience. The authors suggest that even completely out of shape people who have never run (like myself) can get up to a base level of fitness in just a month. Sounds like a good way to court injury and failure to me. For sedentary people, a good month of rigorous exercise short of running would be a smart start, followed by a very gradual walk/run program, until you can run 3 miles a few months down the road. Anything faster is courting injury. I finished my first 20k a few weeks ago, about a year and a half after beginning my running program. Along the way I dealt with the usual--shin splints, runner's knee, and the warning signs of IT band syndrome. All of these things were the result of pushing myself too far, too fast, but I was able to overcome each by taking a step back in training, finding alternative exercises and moving forward. However, if I had started the program this book suggests one month after I started running, I KNOW I would not have been able to complete it. Bodies need time to strengthen themselves. Cardio fitness comes quickly, but the muscles and bones just can't keep up with that pace. I'm now beginning my first marathon training, and have found much of the advice in this book--especially what it has to say about the mental game--very useful. It offers a moderate program--just 4 days a week of running--which also makes sense for a novice runner. But if you are a sedentary person, and are picking up this book as a way to jump start a fitness program, I'd suggest you start more slowly, and get a good year's base of consistent fitness efforts before setting out on a program like this. Yes, I'm sure there ARE people out there who jumped right into marathon training and managed to succeed, but why risk jeopardizing your new-found commitment to exercise, by launching into a program that may defeat your goal by bringing on injury? If your goal is commiting to a new fit lifestyle, there are plenty of other goals you can set to get you started--a first 5k and a first 10k are achievements a new runner can be just as proud of. Here are a few titles I have found useful, and a bit more realistic: "Real Exercise for Real People" by Peter and Lorna Francis," and "Marathoning for Mortals" by John Bingham and Jenny Hadfield.
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Summary: The Perfect Guide to Getting a Non-Runner MOVING!
Review: At the age of 41, somewhat out of shape and never having a joy for running, I went on a search for the "perfect guide" to get me going. This is it! The authors have a track record of success in teaching this 16 week course and convey their views expertly throughout the book. One learns that you are capable of more than you may think. By gradually increasing your running each week, you'll be amazed at your capacity to build endurance, strength and conditioning. More important than the actual running schedule, though, is the ongoing guidance for using the "power of positive thinking" throughout your training. Chapter by chapter, the authors build on mental tools to use while training -- this coincides with your gradual increase of weekly mileage. It is simply a great book. While I don't intend to run a marathon, I will soon complete a 15K trail run, and this book is the tool I needed to get me there.
Rating:
Summary: Perfect balance of physical and mental preparation
Review: This must be among the best how-to books ever written. I am 39 years old, not an athlete, and decided 6 months ago I wanted to run a marathon. The authors gave me all the information I needed to prepare. I felt as if I had personal coaches. They discuss the problems a first-time amateur has each week of training, building both mental and physical stamina. Each chapter/week builds on the previous lessons. Personal stories punctuate that week's lessons with experiences from other successful amateurs. So many other programs fall short on the important mental preparation that this book is careful to address. The training program built me up without injury, and taught me how to address the expected aches and pains.
I just completed my marathon 2 days ago, and I feel great. I felt confident at the starting line, and this book is why. No "wall", no crawling across the finish line, the marathon was the exhilarating lifetime experience I craved, and this book got me there. If you are looking to set time records, look elsewhere. But if your goal is to complete your first marathon and enjoy the experience, this book delivers.
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