Rating: 
Summary: EVERYONE SHOULD READ THIS BOOK!
Review: I want to buy this book for everyone I know because I firmly believe, after reading this book and having run my first marathon, that ANYONE can do it. I became so involved in the stories of these people, I couldn't put the book down and when I reached the end, I wanted more. So I ran my own marathon. I opened the book again, after I'd run the 26.2 mile monster, and randomly picked one of the stories...I started to cry because it suddenly meant so much to me. If you read this book, not only will you want to run a marathon, you'll believe you can make it happen.
Rating: 
Summary: Interesting reading, but gets monotonous
Review: Interesting book for the first time reader. Not something that you will pick up and read over and over. As you get through several stories they actually get a little monotonous but it is still an interesting read. If you don't have to spend the money and can get it at the library, I would recommend that first.
Also, the dates of some of these runners stories are quite aged. Much of the book is like a history lesson where marathon running has come from over the past 70 years. Again interesting, but didn't do much for me.
Rating:
Summary: Interesting reading, but gets monotonous
Review: Interesting book for the first time reader. Not something that you will pick up and read over and over. As you get through several stories they actually get a little monotonous but it is still an interesting read. If you don't have to spend the money and can get it at the library, I would recommend that first.
Also, the dates of some of these runners stories are quite aged. Much of the book is like a history lesson where marathon running has come from over the past 70 years. Again interesting, but didn't do much for me.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent motivation for your first marathon
Review: Many of the miles I've run to train for my first marathon have been spent thinking about the people written about in this book. The individual's stories in this book are not only extremely motivational but also touching and sometimes funny. I would recommend this book for all first time marathoners as well as people looking for that extra inspiration in reaching that goal that you're not quite sure you can make.
Rating: 
Summary: First Marathons
Review: On the plus side, this book is a must of you are planning to run a marathon. It offers interesting perspectives on the race and those that run it. On the down side, it is full of "typical" stories about people overcoming hardships. It gets sappy after awhile. Most of the stories are about people who decided to do the race on a whim and did it mostly unprepared. After reading this you think you can just go out an run one yourself...prepared or not.I wish there were more stories about the challenge and difficulty of the training process.
Rating:
Summary: Will Power
Review: The different stories show how common people took up running. There is wide range of marathon finishers and therefore it is easy to find somebody in the book you can relate too.
What this book does best is inspire those who contemplate running a marathon. I took up running a few months ago, slowly building up my mileage. The incredible stories in the book show me that indeed it is possible to run 26.2 miles, or even more for ultramarathons. At one point it becomes a matter of mind over matter. Beyong running, this book is about the incredible abilities that lie within each one of us if we give ourselves the right training and believe we can achieve what we've decided to do.
Rating:
Summary: Inspirational. Sets expectations for 1st marathon
Review: This book helps to inspire runners and non-runners. This book helps a first time marathon runner set expecations.
Rating:
Summary: I love this book!
Review: This book is a must for anyone who wants to run a marathon. It is a collection of essays written by runners from all levels, including world class runners to a Portland, Oregon nurse who details her first marathon. All these stories are short enough to be read in a single sitting, some leave you thrilled by the run, others leave you with tears in your eyes. I purchased this book before I ran my first marathon hopeing to gain insite into what I would encounter. I also bought several other copies as gifts to friends who needed some encouragement to run their first marathon. It certainly is an exceptionally nice gift for any runner or runner-to-be. Just can't wait too see volumn 2 of First Marathons!
Rating:
Summary: I love this book!
Review: This book is a must for anyone who wants to run a marathon. It is a collection of essays written by runners from all levels, including world class runners to a Portland, Oregon nurse who details her first marathon. All these stories are short enough to be read in a single sitting, some leave you thrilled by the run, others leave you with tears in your eyes. I purchased this book before I ran my first marathon hopeing to gain insite into what I would encounter. I also bought several other copies as gifts to friends who needed some encouragement to run their first marathon. It certainly is an exceptionally nice gift for any runner or runner-to-be. Just can't wait too see volumn 2 of First Marathons!
Rating:
Summary: Extremely Motivational
Review: This book really motivated me. When I read the stories of others' challenges and how they stayed committed and stuck with it, it inspired me to do the same. I could relate to a lot of the stories, and found the book easy to read since it's basically like a book of short stories. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for the encouragement to stick with a running program and a commitment to do a marathon, especially their first marathon.
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