Customer Reviews: Read 45 more reviews...
 Disappointing book May 17, 2008
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
I'm an intermediate runner and bought this book looking for running tips, some serious advice on potential injuries, advice on pre and post stretching, etc... I cannot believe there are 726 pages (I thought amazon had sent me Das Kapital, from Karl Marx...) of obvious statements that you can find in any of the specialized magazines. There are no illustrations, (that would've been very helpful for the stretching exercises), only some data tables. The chapter about shoes could've been summarized with a "consult your local dealer" sentence, that is all about in that chapter, no mention whatsoever of any particular brand, model, etc... The chapter about food and nutrition repeats the old mistakes of the USDA Food Guide Pyramid, so if you want to become obese just follow the pyramid choices, ...and the comment about cereal being the best you can get for breakfast is another insult, as anybody knows that in today's world it is almost imposible to get the full benefits of cereal as it is sold in such a refined way that it has lost already all its benefits and only gives you the carbohydrate boost with its correspondent consequence on weight.
The chapter about weight is all about calories, another theory that defies inteligence, ..., ok, go ahead, follow the low calorie diet, just to see months from now how your body charges you double for the mistake.
This book is outdated, sometimes you read something interesting here and there but my advice is dont buy it, spend your money in any of the specialized magazines.
 Runner's Handbook has a great plan. February 8, 2008
I cannot imagine being a successful beginning runner without a plan like those presented in this book. I have tried running before, but with this book, I have been much more successful. It was a great find!
excellent guide January 24, 2008
The book has been a great guide for me on how to recover the fit condition I once had, step by step, and without the risk of injury. I have recently started the training program and already feel improvement. The motivation and anti-excuse propositions the book offers for beginner runners really get you to move. A good compilation of medical and technical information support the suggested programs, so it gives you a lot of confidence in what you are doing and what to expect from the exercise.
The authority on Running January 8, 2008
Probably the most comprehensive book on running that I have ever seen. Not to mention it was without any pressure, Bob and group were relaxed about how things should be done, I never felt like I was pressured to run in a certain way or speed. Helped me to get back into running again. Thanks everyone.
 Wonderful motivator October 7, 2007
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I will not bother going on and on about the book, since there is already such an overwhelmingly positive collection of reviews.
Suffice it to say, this book really kick-started by love of running, and was filled with everything the beginner needs to know.
While it could use illustrations for good stretches, for example, it is still the classic keystone in any runners library, and strongly recommended!
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