Synopses & Reviews
Finally, runners at all levels can improve their race times while training less, with the revolutionary Furman Institute of Running and Scientific Training (FIRST) program.
Hailed by the Wall Street Journal and featured twice in six months in cover stories in Runners World magazine, FIRSTs unique training philosophy makes running easier and more accessible, limits overtraining and burnout, and substantially cuts the risk of injury, while producing faster race times.
The key feature is the "3 plus 2" program, which each week consists of:
-3 quality runs, including track repeats, the tempo run, and the long run, which are designed to work together to improve endurance, lactate-threshold running pace, and leg speed
-2 aerobic cross-training workouts, such as swimming, rowing, or pedaling a stationary bike, which are designed to improve endurance while helping to avoid burnout
With detailed training plans for 5K, 10K, half marathon, and marathon, plus tips for goal-setting, rest, recovery, injury rehab and prevention, strength training, and nutrition, this program will change the way runners think about and train for competitive races.
Amby Burfoot, Runners World executive editor and Boston Marathon winner, calls the FIRST training program "the most detailed, well-organized, and scientific training program for runners that I have ever seen."
Review
PRAISE FOR MATT FITZGERALD AND HIS FITNESS BOOKS:
“Fitzgerald is going to go down as one of the most competent and prolific authors of books for serious runners covering just about every legitimate aspect of the all-important runners lifestyle.”—LetsRun.com
“If youre looking to get to your peak performance weight or explore the mind-body connection of running, writer Matt Fitzgerald has some advice for you.…Fitzgerald, an expert in endurance training and nutrition, explores a wide range of topics and cutting-edge developments from the world of running and endurance sports.”—ESPN.com
“Sports nutritionist Matt Fitzgerald lets us in on his no-diet secrets that can help endurance athletes get leaner, stronger, and faster.”—Mens Fitness
“The elements and philosophy laid out in Run were fundamental and played an essential role in my overall success throughout my career as a self-coached athlete.”—Alan Culpepper, 2000 and 2004 U.S. Olympian, sub-four-minute miler, sub-2:10 marathoner
“Extremely well-done…a must for marathoners!”—Library Journal
“In his latest book, Matt Fitzgerald successfully explains the mind-body method of running.…Anyone trying to improve and realize their true running potential should read Run.” —Kara Goucher, 2008 Olympian and world championship medalist
“Amateur to professional athletes can optimize their potential with this book.”—Bike World News
“Racing Weight answers the difficult questions athletes often have about dieting, including how to handle the off-season. The book gives readers a scientifically backed system to discover your optimum race weight, as well as five steps to achieve it.”—Triathlete
“You will gain valuable information and insight about how to fuel your body from this book.”—Portland Book Review
Synopsis
The Furman Institute of Running and Scientific Training (known as FIRST) is dedicated to make running more accessible and limit overtraining and burnout while producing faster race times. FIRST is one of the foremost experts in the world on the science of running; its authority is unmatched and the promise of training less and accomplishing more has made the first two editions of
Run Less, Run Faster a solid and steady seller.
With 50 percent updated content, this new edition of Runner's World Run Less, Run Faster by Bill Pierce, Scott Murr, and Ray Moss continues to promise the same tantalizing results: Readers can get stronger, faster, and better by training less. It will also include more sections for novice runners, broadening the audience appeal, as well as training plans tailored to the new qualifying times for the Boston Marathon. The quality-over-quantity approach optimizes training time and yields better performance—results runners will love no matter what distance they are racing.
Synopsis
TRAIN EASIER TO RUN FASTER This revolutionary training method has been embraced by elite runnerswith extraordinary resultsand now you can do it, too.
Respected running and fitness expert Matt Fitzgerald explains how the 80/20 running programin which you do 80 percent of runs at a lower intensity and just 20 percent at a higher intensityis the best change runners of all abilities can make to improve their performance. With a thorough examination of the science and research behind this training method, 80/20 Running is a hands-on guide for runners of all levels with training programs for 5K, 10K, half-marathon, and marathon distances.
In 80/20 Running, youll discover how to transform your workouts to avoid burnout.
- Runs will become more pleasant and less draining
- Youll carry less fatigue from one run to the next
- Your performance will improve in the few high-intensity runs
- Your fitness levels will reach new heights
80/20 Running promotes a message that all runnersas well as cyclists, triathletes, and even weight-loss seekerscan embrace: Get better results by making the majority of your workouts easier.
About the Author
BILL PIERCE, a collegiate half-miler and experienced marathoner, is professor and chair of Furmans Health and Exercise Science Department.
SCOTT MURR, an experienced marathoner and 10-time Ironman Triathlon finisher, is director of Furmans Fitness Center and a lecturer in the Health and Exercise Science Department at Furman.
RAY MOSS, who designed the FIRST laboratory physiological testing protocol, is professor of health and exercise science and director of the Molnar Human Performance Laboratory at Furman.