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|  | Authors: Bill Pierce, Scott Murr, Ray Moss
Publisher: Rodale Books
Category: Book
List Price: $16.99
Buy New: $7.99
as of 9/8/2010 15:38 CDT details
You Save: $9.00 (53%)
New (35) Used (16) from $7.99
Seller: thebookguyz
Rating:  66 reviews
Media: Paperback
Edition: illustrated edition
Pages: 272
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.6
Dimensions (in): 8.8 x 5.7 x 0.7
ISBN: 159486649X
Dewey Decimal Number: 796.42
EAN: 9781594866494
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 16-20 of 66
 Highly recommended November 15, 2007
lizabelle
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
This is an excellent guide to running more efficiently. It focuses on the marathon, but includes training plans for all distances from "couch to 5k" to the marathon. At the moment I only run very short distances, and I found the references to marathoners inspiring rather than offputting!
The additional information on cross-training (more training plans if you need them) and nutrition is plentiful and very helpful.
Most running writers are passionate about their subject; these guys have added in some science and managed to make it an interesting read into the bargain.
Great running plans for all levels November 22, 2007
C. VEGA
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I really benefited from each chapter of this book, though I am not ready to run the Boston Marathon. It is still good information for the future. I know a lot about flexiblity, strength training and nutrition. If your goal is to be the best runner you can be, this is an excellent resource. I graduated with a degree in Exercise Science and I know the information that is given in this book is accurate as well as proven by research. I just started one of the programs and I am excited to see improvements.
Fantastic Training Plans July 31, 2009
Outdoorsman (Alabama)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
Let me start by saying that I'm an aspiring triathlete that occasionally runs. I've been running approximately 3 years now with 3 marathons, 2 half-iron triathlons, and many smaller distance races under my belt. I've purchased many running books over the years and have always struggled with following the plans laid forth in those books. These other plans generally called for 50-60 mile weeks with 5-6 runs per week. I had a difficult time balancing the running against a) the other triathlon events or b) Life. Generally, I would get up to about 45-50 miles a week and I would start to suffer from various injuries.
This book starts by giving you a realistic assessment of what you are capable of running given a 5K, 10K, half-marathon, or marathon time. The book then provides training schedules for all four of the above events. The training schedule vary in length (shorter for the 5K and long for the marathon distance). The training schedule is broken out by week into a "3+2" training plan. 3 days of running and 2 days of cross-training. All key workouts are difficult. But there was never a morning I woke up thinking that I wouldn't be able to do the run out of physical inability. Additionally, the limited 3 days of quality runs enables me to emphasize biking and swimming the remainder of the week. So plenty of time for the multi-sport athlete.
Key Workout #1: Long Run. The book provides tables to look up your prescribed pace based off your race pace goal. These paces look something like MP(Marathon Pace)+20 sec, MP+30 Sec, etc.
Key Workout #2: Tempo Run. Again, the book provides a table to look up your run pace. These will look something like Short Tempo, Mid Tempo, Long Tempo.
Key Workout#3: Interval Run. Think Intervals like 4x800 meters, 3x1600 m, 8x400 m, etc.
The great thing about this book is that it provides ready made tables that you can reference to find out what you should be running on a given day, how fast you ought to be running, etc. Additionally, the book has plans for the Beginner 5K, Intermediate 5K. I guess these plans are to get the novice runner to a 30 min 5K time as the tables mentioned above for the key workouts assume a faster minimum 30 min 5K.
Results: My previous 5k PR of ~26:25 is now a 23:20
10k 56:00 PR is now a 49:40
Marathon PR of 4:16 is now a 3:54
Intense and brief training for better running and less wear and tear September 23, 2009
Patrick Hafner (Twin Cities, Minnesota)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
If more runners adopted the approach of the FIRST training program, there would be fewer of them breaking down from overuse injuries. This system flies in the face of the 6-days-a-week, ultra-high mileage programs so commonly promoted in recent years.
I've used both methods over many years of running; the short, sprint-type running mixed with a longer tempo run here and there, as well as one day a week going long and slow, is far superior to the long slow miles approach day after day. Include one day a week of cross-training (like the book says, a hard session - the cross-training day is not a rest day) and some serious strength training, and you should experience better running with far fewer hours a week. And a lot less chance of repetitive strain injuries like plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendonitis.
Great book, highly recommended.
Never expected to qualify for Boston, BUT... October 26, 2009
DVG (WI USA)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
...it happened! I followed this book to the letter and am so glad I did! This was my third marathon, and all three have been on the same course, same time of year. I shattered my time from last year by 50 minutes and set a new PR 26 minutes faster than my old PR - when I ran my first marathon 10 years ago.
What I loved about this book is the science and pragmatic approach to applying the science; there was no guess work. Follow the 3+2 workout method (I did 3+3, adding 1 weekly yoga session from the P90X collection), do the easy days easy and the hard days hard - and REST. There's no question that you log fewer miles, but all are high quality and the results speak for themselves!
Showing reviews 16-20 of 66
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