Synopses & Reviews
Especially in tough economic times, running offers an affordable and positive way to relieve stress
and gain a sense of accomplishment. Marathons and—more than ever—half-marathons are the ultimate achievement for runners and have experienced an unprecedented boom in the last several years.
New hunger for reliable information on marathon and half-marathon training, as well as new technologies that have revolutionized ordinary peoples ability to train intelligently, means the time is right for a new edition of longtime Runners World contributor Hal Higdons classic guide to taking the guesswork out of preparing for a marathon, whether its a readers first or fiftieth.
Since its original publication in 1993, Higdons definitive manual has sold over a quarter of a million
copies through all channels. The book is such a consistent seller for many reasons, but above and
beyond all the others is this one: It works. At the core of the book remains Higdons clear and essential information on training, injury prevention, and nutrition. With more than 25 percent new material, this fourth edition of a running classic will be a must-own for both longtime runners and those new to the sport.
Review
"Will get any runner across the finish line of a marathon. I highly recommend it," said Olympic-marathon gold medalist Frank Shorter.
"There's plenty of sound training advice here for runners of all levels," said Ken Sparks, PhD, who achieved a marathon personal record of 2:28 at age 46.
Review
"Will get any runner across the finish line of a marathon. I highly recommend it," said Olympic-marathon gold medalist Frank Shorter.
"There's plenty of sound training advice here for runners of all levels," said Ken Sparks, PhD, who achieved a marathon personal record of 2:28 at age 46.
"According to Runners World magazine, a first-time marathoner should train at least five days a week, posting weekly mileage of up to 42 miles. Hal Higdon, an 82-year-old fitness guru-he finished fifth in the 1964 Boston Marathon - says its all about finding the right program. Twenty years ago, he designed one for his son, Kevin, an accountant at Peat Marwick International (now KPMG) who wanted to train ‘while working for a demanding firm. Higdons corporate-worker-friendly program became a best-selling book, Marathon: The Ultimate Training Guide. Its still used by many professionals, including Illinois Bank of America President Tim Maloney, who Higdon says followed the program while training for this years race in Chicago. The guide schedules every mile, right down to the walking breaks, without much wiggle room. ‘Ive had people ask, ‘Can I do 5 miles in the morning and 5 during lunch? Higdon says. ‘My response is always, ‘well sure, if you can find a marathon that lets you run 13 miles in the morning and 13 in the afternoon." - BUSINESSWEEK
Synopsis
With over 50% new material, this category killer is sure to go the distanceWhen the previous edition of Hal Higdon's superb training guide appeared, Grete Waitz, 9-time winner of the New York City Marathon, cheered: "Higdon's years of marathoning experience come through in this practical book. Aspiring or veteran marathoners will benefit enormously from its proven guidance."
This new edition focuses on first marathoners, women runners, and those new to the sport; and as always, Higdon shows how to build up mileage and gives advice on running long, speedwork for distance runners, defensive running strategies, and planning for peak performance.
About the Author
HAL HIGDON is among the most respected and widely read writers in the world of running. A senior writer for
Runner's World magazine, he also writes the "Ask the Expert" column on the magazine's Web site. He is the author of 31 books, including
Run Fast and
Master's Running, and a four-time gold medalist at the World Masters Championships. He currently splits his time between Long Beach, Indiana, and Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.