Product Description

Once considered a feat for superhuman athletes alone, the marathon is now within the reach of any ordinary person. Former couch potato and "Runner's World" columnist John Bingham has joined forces with coach Jenny Hadfield to create a plan designed to work for all. In "Marathon Running for Mortals" the reader will find: eight different training programmes to run, run-walk, walk-run or walk the marathon or half-marathon; the advice you need physically, mentally and emotionally; tips to help you customise your training, buy the right shoes and clothing, and eat the best foods; and guidance on common running problems.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #105363 in Books
• Published on: 2004-01-02
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 272 pages

About the Author
John Bingham (who was born with short legs and a long torso that no amount of running is going to change) writes 'The Penguin Chronicles' for Runner's World magazine and teaches the basics of running to adult-onset athletes. Jenny Hadfield is a fitness expert and coach who has trained thousands of walkers, run-walkers and runners of all levels.

Customer Reviews

Simply fantastic.
I decided at the start of this year I was going to run a half-marathon. Having done nothing more than the odd couple of miles here and there, 13.1 miles sounded a bit daunting but do-able in time. So, off I went, training (so I thought) the right way. Turns out, it was the wrong way. I was basically an accident waiting to happen. I reckon a couple more weeks of doing what I was doing would have left me with problems.

This book goes into very good detail about what you should do to train to cover this sort of distance, from walking a half-marathon to running a whole 26.2 miles. It covers not only training, but also gear you should be looking at, getting the right shoes (all shoes are not created equal, it turns out), why cotton is a bad thing, heart-monitors.... It is also quite inspirational, with little side-boxes of info written by 'mortal' runners who never thought they could do it. Add to that training schedules to suit your needs, and you've got an excellent little book to more than keep you going. The book is also very chatty, and while I can see this annoying some people, I found it more like listening to two people talking rather than reading a training manual.

Buy this book. I cannot recommend it highly enough!

An Ordinary Mortals Guide:- a step in the right direction
Generally the advice was very good. A very chatty style that would irritate some, but written for the nervous novice rather than the seasoned athlete.

I read this about a week before running my first half marathon and did identify many of my own mistakes in the book, (comforting to know that I was not alone). Certainly found it informative and interesting and helped to keep everything in perspective.

Have been reading it again as I prepare for a marathon.

Informative & realistic
I found this book easy to read with plenty of good tips I know I will be trying out. It covers the basics of running & training & is ideal for somebody who is contemplating a marathon or half marathon for the 1st time. It is very easy to understand & stick with & definitly gives inspiration to those of us who didnt think we could ever cover the distance. I reckon I will pick it up again during my training to refer back to. I would reccomend it to any mortal!