Product Description

Athlete. Runner. Marathoner. Are these words you wouldn't exactly use to describe yourself? Do you consider yourself too old or too out of shape to run a marathon? But somewhere deep inside have you always admired the people who could reach down and come up with the mental and physical strength to complete such a daunting and rewarding accomplishment? It doesn't have to be somebody else crossing the finish line. You can be a marathoner. The Non-Runner's Marathon Trainer is based on the highly successful marathon class offered by the University of Northern Iowa, which was featured in a Runner's World article titled "Marathoning 101." The class has been offered five times over 10 years, and all but one student finished the marathon. That is approximately 200 students -- all first time marathoners and many with absolutely no running background. This book follows the same 16-week, four-day-a-week workout plan. What makes the success rate of this program so much higher than any other? The special emphasis on the psychological aspects of endurance activities. You don't have to love to run -- you don't even have to like it -- but you have to realize that you are capable of more than you have ever thought possible. One participant in the program explained it like this: "I'm doing this for me -- not for others or the time clock. I just feel better when I run, plus it helps me to cope with things in general. The skills we've learned in this class don't apply just to marathoning -- they apply to life! Just like you never know what the next step in a marathon will bring, so too, you never know what will happen next in life. But if you don't keep going, you're never going to find out. By staying relaxed, centered, and positive you handle just about anything that comes your way." This is marathon running for real people, people with jobs and families and obligations outside of running. The Non-Runner's Marathon Trainer has proven successful for men and women of all ages. Now let it work for you.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2117 in Books
• Published on: 1998-01-11
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 304 pages

About the Author
McGraw-Hill authors represent the leading experts in their fields and are dedicated to improving the lives, careers, and interests of readers worldwide

McGraw-Hill authors represent the leading experts in their fields and are dedicated to improving the lives, careers, and interests of readers worldwide

McGraw-Hill authors represent the leading experts in their fields and are dedicated to improving the lives, careers, and interests of readers worldwide

Customer Reviews

Great book for your first time
A few days ago, I finished my first marathon. I went from a couch potato to running 26.2 miles using nothing but this book as a guide. I spent 10 weeks doing the recommended pre-training before starting the 16-week plan. I altered the plan a little due to some minor injuries and scheduling problems, but stuck to it for the most part. I think the best part of this training is in building your confidence and giving you the mental strength to get through adversity. When I hit mile 20, my legs were aching real bad and I needed to use some of the mental techniques described in the book to will myself to the finish line. It's only been a few days, but I'm already planning my next one! If you've never run a marathon before, I would definitely recommend this book to help you through your first one.

Hey, where's the index and table of contents?
The book is entertaining and inspiring with good information too. But when I looked into new running shoes, I noticed that THERE WAS NO INDEX! And the table of contents was not very vague! The information is good, but where is it?

Just buy it. You'll finish your marathon.
Prior to training, I had run ONE 5k race (mostly walked), and never actually ran for excercise for more than 3 miles. I began this training wanting to see how far I'd get and the next thing I know I was 15-20 pounds lighter and crossing the tape at that Dallas WhiteRock marathon in 2003 at 4:18:13.

Don't get me wrong, I was in pain. It wasn't easy.

But as they say, the pain is temporary... I'll have that accomplishment with me forever. If you are considering a training regimen, I cannot suggest this book enough to you. Easy to read - chapters are all short and in a very creepy way INCREDIBLY accurate as to which week you begin feeling what pains in your legs/feet and how to combat.

People always ask me "was running the marathon hard?". My typical response is: "Not really, actually. There were about 3 miles that were very difficult but overall it was pretty easy. The real hard part is all the training. It's getting your butt out in the rain on a sunday night and making yourself run 12 miles even though you have to get up for work the next day. It was an exercise in willpower that gets you through the training, when no one would know if you skipped a run here and there. No accountability like there is in the marathon. So once you get through that, you become almost like a robot, a machine. After about 2/3 through it nothing on earth will stop you from accomplishing your run. Darkness? Cold? Snow? Rain? None of it matters.".

Buy the book and run.