Product Description

Currently the number-one selling fitness book on Amazon.co.uk, "Running Made Easy" is quite simply the easiest, friendliest, most inspiring running book ever written. Fully revised and updated for 2008, this must-have guide is designed to get everyone who thought they could never run on their way to a better body, bags of confidence and soaring energy levels."Running Made Easy" takes things right back to basics with the easiest ever beginner's plan, fill-in charts and diary sections, plus all the jargon-free tips and advice you need to learn to love running. This book is there to support you with amazing stories and tips from regular and celebrity runners, plus chapters on goal setting and mind games to get you back on track.Read this book and we guarantee you'll run away with a healthier mind and body, feeling empowered to succeed at whatever challenge you set yourself - whether that's running a lap of your local park, taking on a first race or marathon, or just changing your life for the better. (60,000 words).

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #3905 in Books
• Published on: 2008-01-21
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 224 pages

From the Author
We decided to write Running Made Easy because, although one of us is a speedy hare and the other a slow-paced tortoise, we're both equally passionate about running and keen to spread the word. We think that the secret of our enthusiasm is that we're continually finding new ways to make running fun, and that's what we want to share with you. While we were writing it, we got to talk to some amazing people who've gained an enormous amount from running, from Beryl who beat depression and agrophobia and now runs everywhere in a pair of fairy wings, to Julie who, at 19st, lost half her bodyweight through running. Julie kept a log of every run she did and even drew a weigh-loss chart to help keep her motivated. Inspired by this, we've included loads of colourful charts and a six-month running diary so you can use Running Made Easy as a workbook to help keep track of your running progress as you go from minute to mile (and even perhaps a marathon!) We hope you have just as much fun reading it as we had writing it.
LISA JACKSON & SUSIE WHALLEY

About the Author
LISA JACKSON is deputy chief sub-editor on Zest magazine. An extremely reluctant convert to running, she's now an ardent evangelist and has run seven marathons in fancy dress: London (twice), Edinburgh, Berlin, Paris, Rome and New York. Born in South Africa, she lives in London with her husband Graham.

Running pace: Think of the slowest runner you know – then think twice as slow!

Running CV: I’m a late-onset runner. For 31 years I was a fully paid-up member of The Couch Potato Society. Exercise? No one can say they loathed, hated and detested it more than me. In fact, I never once failed to drive to the corner shop – which was all of a two-minute walk! Then in June 1998 I was blown away by the electrifying atmosphere of a 5K race that I’d very reluctantly been cajoled into doing. I was surprised by just how much of a kick I got from the crowds, the camaraderie and the cheering.
Soon afterwards, my aunt signed up for the Great North Run, the world’s biggest half marathon, and I was consumed with envy. Terrified, I threw caution to the wind and entered, too. Again I was bowled over by the thrill of having dared to challenge myself to run 21km (13.1 miles). Six months later, I tackled the London Marathon and had one of the most memorable days of my life. From then on, I was unstoppable. Six other marathons followed, along with an alarming desire to run a marathon a year until the candles on my birthday cake resemble a bushfire.

SUSIE WHALLEY is features editor on Zest magazine. Having rediscovered running in her mid-20s after a long lapse, she's now run four London Marathons, and is currently planning to run the New York City Marathon. She lives in London with her husband Adam.

Running pace: Average – not exceptional – but getting faster!

Running CV: My earliest memories of running are of trotting off down country lanes with my dad to fetch the day’s baguette on family holidays in France. I wasn’t sure why, but even aged eight, with little legs that could barely keep up, I was desperate to follow in his footsteps and take up running. At school I waited eagerly for sports days, which I enjoyed just about as much as all the other girls hated, and every year I’d watch the London Marathon with tears in my eyes and dream of taking part.
My ambitions got shelved at university (wild nights out distracted me!), so when I decided to start training for the marathon aged 25, it felt pretty tough. My running partner Louise and I couldn’t even manage one lap of the park at first, but we ploughed on, completed our first 5K race (I was so exhausted I had to sleep for two hours afterwards) and eventually took on the marathon. Once wasn’t enough, and now the London Marathon has turned into an annual challenge that inspires and overawes me every time I do it.

Customer Reviews

It does exactly what it says in the title.
I liked the idea of running but didn't really know where to start. This book was great, it advised me on everything from what to eat, where to run and what shoes to buy. Which gave me the confidence to just give it a go.
Far more valuable was the feeling that i could achieve anything. It inspired and motivated me to start, and now I am hooked. I have just started training for my first half marathon, im taking it very slowly but it is getting easier. If I don't feel like running one day, I flick through the book, or use one of the motivational methods its suggest.
Truly inspiring. I can't praise this book enough

This book has broken through all my barriers and taught me to run
I have never been able to run, and have always hated the fact. Being large of figure, the idea of pounding the pavements has been daunting. Nevertheless, I saw this book, for some reason bought it, and with much excitement and trepidation, tried the 10 week running plan they reccommend for all beginners. As of yesterday, I completed this plan, and can run (and walk) for 40 minutes or 5km, something I never saw myself doing in July. I can honestly say, this book has opened a sport to me, and I am mad, keen, and enthusiastic because of it! It breaks everything down into achievable steps, and by doing this, it's suceeded in converting me. Can't praise it enough!

Great weight loss tool, and fun too.
This book is excellent. Running in layman's terms. My boyfriend runs and always asks me along, but as I could run for about 2 minues before having a coronary, I could never go. This started to annoy me, so I bought this book to find out how I could improve. Now don't get me wrong, buying a book is not the answer - heaven knows I have bought a million weightloss/fitness books without permanently either losing weight or getting fit (just lightening my wallet). But there is something about this book. Its very easy to read and understand. It starts you out slow, and answers all the questions/fears you might have (what if I don't like running in public? etc). Plus there are tonnes of 'before and after' stories from people who have taken up running and changed their life for the better - very inspirational. There is room to record your progress, and each page is in full colour. Well, I guess the proof is in the pudding. Before - fad diets/ exercise binging and purging - weight gain since University - 3 stone. After - can now run for 25 minutes flat, lost 10lb (ang gained muscle) and still going strong. In january I'll be going running with my boyfriend!!!