Rating: 
Summary: Read with Caution.
Review: Make sure to combine brains with your brawn, when working out. While there are some interesting factoids peppered throughout this little paperback, it may be too simplistic for the novice runner and result in injury. Jeff Galloway's Marathon training technique is far superior and slow and steady is definitely a more prudent (and ultimately successful) method for marathon preparation.
Rating: 
Summary: We Finished The Marathon, But Not In 4:00 Hours
Review: My brother and I trained together for our first marathon. We're 37 & 39 and did the 4:00 hour training program and ran all the training runs in less time than called for in the schedule. Yes, the training was challenging but not impossible. We ran the San Antonio Marathon 2002 as recommended in the book, I don't recommend running that one as your first marathon unless you're ready for some hills (they changed the course since the book was written). The training schedule got us the endurance to finish the marathon, but not in 4:00 hours or less as stated in the book. I understand that each person is different, but that's our actual experience using the book. Perhaps the schedule works better for younger people. If you're not hung up on your exact finishing time I would still recommend the training schedule for the 4:00 hour program with the exception perhaps of reducing slightly the 23 & 24 mile runs near the end.
Rating:
Summary: We Finished The Marathon, But Not In 4:00 Hours
Review: My brother and I trained together for our first marathon. We're 37 & 39 and did the 4:00 hour training program and ran all the training runs in less time than called for in the schedule. Yes, the training was challenging but not impossible. We ran the San Antonio Marathon 2002 as recommended in the book, I don't recommend running that one as your first marathon unless you're ready for some hills (they changed the course since the book was written). The training schedule got us the endurance to finish the marathon, but not in 4:00 hours or less as stated in the book. I understand that each person is different, but that's our actual experience using the book. Perhaps the schedule works better for younger people. If you're not hung up on your exact finishing time I would still recommend the training schedule for the 4:00 hour program with the exception perhaps of reducing slightly the 23 & 24 mile runs near the end.
Rating: 
Summary: Training At Its Best
Review: My husband and I used this as a training manual for our first marathon. The book was extremely helpful especially with the training program and sound nutrition advice. For any first timers, I would highly reccomend this book! You will finish!
Rating: 
Summary: Very weak
Review: Really more a pamphlet than a book. Not good for beginning runners; very little explanation of the topics covered. Training methods not suitable at all for beginners.
Rating:
Summary: Everything you need to know
Review: Running that first marathon is quite the task. If you need something to serve as your Bible or have someone hold your hand through the training process, then this will do both. I borrowed it from the library and then came to amazon to buy one for myself and one for my marathon buddy. It's a gem of a "matter-of-fact, no frills" book. Pretty witty, too.
Rating:
Summary: Information is just plain wrong
Review: The central contention of this book is that Oprah ran her marathon in under four hours and so can you. Such a feat is incredibly inspiring, but infortunately, it is simply not true. Oprah's time in the Marine Corps Marathon was a respectable 4 hours and 29 minutes, but not sub-four. Plus Oprah had her trainer with her the entire race, pacing and encouraging her. The lesson, don't believe everthing you read. I did find the book helpful in my marathon training, but don't expect any miracles. You'll do just as well picking up a runner's magazine and reading the articles on marathon training.
Rating:
Summary: We Finished The Marathon, But Not In 4:00 Hours
Review: The premise of this book is that you too can run a marahon in four hours. It shows you how to train whether your goal is a flat four hours, four fifteen, four thirty, etc. All of these are called 'four hour marathons' by most veteran marathoners -- which does not immediately translate to 4:00:00. A previous review called the author inaccurate in stating that Oprah did a four hour marathon. She did run one, though (i.e., under five hours); her exact time was 4:29:20. Quite an accomplishment. Whether her trainer was alongside coaching her isn't really relevant to this book, either, except that with this book you can accomplish the same without a trainer always by your side. Inaccurate reviews aside, it is a really good book that will help you train to get both the endurance and stamina to finish a marathon. If you (like me) niavely decide that you can train for a marathon by exclusively building up your distance, time improvement will be very difficult. This book gives you the right mix to get you to the finish line in a very respectable time. Some of the advice is somewhat hackneyed (e.g., avoid runs where dogs chase you), but it's well worth a thorough read for beginner/novice runners and has decent reference value for veterans.
Rating:
Summary: Information is *not* wrong
Review: The premise of this book is that you too can run a marahon in four hours. It shows you how to train whether your goal is a flat four hours, four fifteen, four thirty, etc. All of these are called 'four hour marathons' by most veteran marathoners -- which does not immediately translate to 4:00:00. A previous review called the author inaccurate in stating that Oprah did a four hour marathon. She did run one, though (i.e., under five hours); her exact time was 4:29:20. Quite an accomplishment. Whether her trainer was alongside coaching her isn't really relevant to this book, either, except that with this book you can accomplish the same without a trainer always by your side. Inaccurate reviews aside, it is a really good book that will help you train to get both the endurance and stamina to finish a marathon. If you (like me) niavely decide that you can train for a marathon by exclusively building up your distance, time improvement will be very difficult. This book gives you the right mix to get you to the finish line in a very respectable time. Some of the advice is somewhat hackneyed (e.g., avoid runs where dogs chase you), but it's well worth a thorough read for beginner/novice runners and has decent reference value for veterans.
Rating: 
Summary: An excellent companion to a complete running book
Review: The real strength of this book is charts and training schedules. Most general running books can't devote this much space strictly to marathoning, particularly beginning marathoning. I am a novice runner, and I've never been much of an athlete, and about halfway through training for a 4 flat marathon, by following the schedule strictly, I could complete 10 mile runs in a little under 90 minutes. I don't suggest this is because the books contained any particularly enlightening training techniques, but it breaks down your training schedule very precisely. This is exactly what I (a pretty undisciplined runner) needed. BTW, I had to cancel my last marathon attempt, but have begun training for the Philadelphia Marathon in November. Good luck if you're trianing too!
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