Synopses & Reviews
Based on his own experience transforming himself from a degenerate bar fly into a dedicated runner who qualified for the Boston Marathon, Ben Kaplan provides a week-by-week training program, split into four sections, each concluding with a race from 5km to a full 26.2-mile marathon. With wit, self-deprecation, and the input of experts from around the world, he provides critical information on nutrition and hydration, selecting shoes, race strategy, pacing, proper form, motivation, and how to stave off injuries while continually crossing new finish lines. He shares running music recommendations provided personally by a variety of pop and rock stars, including Paul Simon, Justin Bieber, The Black Keys, Ghostface Killah, Willie Nelson, Feist, and Norah Jones. Kaplan's infectious enthusiasm about running and music inspires the most recalcitrant runners to lace up their shoes and hit the pavement.
Review
A unique and riveting read. Entertaining, informative, and inspiring.” John Stanton, Founder of the Running Room
Equal parts inspiring and practical, Feet, Dont Fail Me Now makes the inaccessible art of running accessible, fun, and meaningful.” Jesse Eisenberg, Actor and runner
"I loved Feet, Dont Fail Me Now. This is the book Id recommend to any marathon hopeful"Bill Rodgers, four-time winner of both the Boston Marathon and the New York Marathon
"I love that this book is funnyboy, do we runners need that! Its also as practical as running from one mailbox to the next with no concern for flashy gear. Andsurprise!its delightfully musical."
Kathrine Switzer, First woman to officially run the Boston Marathon and author of Marathon Woman
Synopsis
In
Feet Don't Fail Me Now, running and music columnist Ben Kaplan describes how to train for a marathon in one year, even if you have never run before. Based on his own experience transforming himself from an "average guy" into a dedicated runner who qualified for the Boston Marathon, the book provides a week-by-week training program, split into four three-month sections--each concluding with a race from 5 kilometres to the Boston Marathon--along with critical information about such topics as nutrition and hydration, how to select shoes, race strategy, pacing, proper form, and whether or not it is important to stretch, with input from experts from around the world.
Kaplan also draws from his music writing and connections and includes recommendations for songs to run to by musicians such as Jack White, Paul Simon, Norah Jones, Justin Bieber, Willie Nelson, Feist, Pearl Jam, and Ghostface Killah. He presents serious information, but his humor and infectious enthusiasm make it a hell of a lot of fun. You can feel Kaplan's excitement about running, his rock-star friends and their selections, and the various experts and others he interacts with on his road to the marathon. Feet Don't Fail Me Now will inspire the most recalcitrant runners to lace up their shoes and hit the pavement.
About the Author
Ben Kaplan writes a weekly column on running for the National Post, as well as covering the music scene for the newspaper and interviewing celebrities such as Mel Brooks, Barry Manilow, Snoop Dogg, and Joan Rivers. He also teaches a weekly "Learn to Run" course at the Running Room. Born in Brooklyn, he was an editor at GQ and staff writer at New York Magazine, and has written for The New York Times, Cosmopolitan, Runnner's World, and Spin, among other publications.