This is my least favorite running book although it is written competently enough. Too much childish ego on the part of the authors detracts from an otherwise good enough book. The best part of the book for me was the discussion of heart rate training, something that is barely mentioned in many of the other running books. There is also not enough explanation on developing training schedules which wasn't too much of a surprise since the authors sell guess what?... training schedules and coaching. Worth buying but not the best.

This book starts off by breaking runners into categories from Novice to Elite. There are 7 categories (further broken down by age groups and gender), and any recent race time (from 5k all the way to marathon) can be used to help you find out where you fit. Glover explains the different training concepts to help you improve your times. He goes into a lot of detail about all of the important topics. He gives weekly mileage guidelines, talks about maintaining a running base (what % of your weekly mileage should be used as a base), and what paces you should be training at based on your desired race time. Although his advice is specific (and supported with examples of studies that have been done to prove how certain concepts work), all of his advice can be adjusted to fit the individual reader's level and goals. He gives examples of training schedules for the 5k up to the marathon for each category of runner, and tells you how to write your own schedule. He gives many examples of different types of speedwork, hill training, and tempo training so runners can add variety to their own schedules. He says how often each workout should be done on a weekly basis, and at what point they should be done in the training cycle. This is a great book, easy to read, and full of tips that can help you improve your time at any distance.
I used to do my daily runs at the same pace, and train without a plan. Last year I started training using the concepts explained in this book (speedwork, hills, long run distances), and I have been able to cut 13 minutes off of my half marathon time in less than 8 months. These training concepts are well known, but Glover customizes them to the reader's level, gives many different examples of each type of workout, and expains which workouts are best for the distance you are training for (For example, he says 1 mile intervals are better when training for the 10k up to the marathon, while power intervals and repeats will be more helpful when training for a 5k or shorter distance). This is a great book, and I wish I had read it sooner.

This book has amazing breadth. It covers all aspects of training for all manner of distances, in terms that are useful to runners of all ability levels. If you are just starting to get serious about running, the book will keep pace with you as you progress into a real hard core competitor; if you are already a hard core competitor, you'll want it as an all-in-1 reference work.

This book covers everything with regards to training,
equipment, nutrition, and crosstraining for everything
from running the 5K race to the marathon. The language
is very simple to understand, and provides useful
charts with regards to times in age-class groups, and
how they would rank in a field of runners, from your
back of the pack runners to your elite runner. It also
accounts for clothing, warming up, cooling down,
and everything imaginable related to running. If you
don't have a coach, or can't afford one, this is
probably your best alternative in terms of learning
how to train effectively and properly. Bob and
Shelley-Lynn really know what they are talking about,
and even the seasoned veterans might find it useful.
I have been running off and on since 1983, but I
didn't have any real ideas of how to train and eat
right until I read this book with regards to
competitive running. This book is highly recommended
if you intend to race competively in the 5K, 10K,
1/2 marathon and/or marathon. This should be your
Running Bible. If you haven't ran in a while, I
suggest consult your family physician before you
begin training, especially if you're really out
of shape, overweight, and a smoker or drinker.
It's probably best to use it as a reference guide
if you don't have the time to read through all
the book at once.

This book is
broken down into sections and chapters as follows:

Introduction: Challenge of Competitive Running
PART I: Basic Training
1. Categories of Basic Runners
2. Key Ingredients to Succesful Racing
3. Basic Training Principles
4. The Warm-Up and Cool-Down
5. Training Pace
6. Training Mileage
7. The Runner's Training Diary

PART II: Speed Training
8. Introduction to Speed Training
9. A Simplified 12-Week Speed Training Program
10. Interval Training
11. Hill Training
12. Fartlek Training
13. Tempo Training

PART III: Planning Your Training
14. The Training Schedule
15. How To Write Your Own Training Schedule

PART IV: Specific Training for Racing
16. The Novice Competitor
17. 5K Training and Racing
18. 10K Training and Racing
19. Half-Marathon Training and Racing

Part V: Marathon Training and Racing
20. The First-Time Marathoner
21. Marathon Build-Up Training
22. Marathon Countdown
23. Marathon Strategy
24. The Aftermarathon

Part VI: Mental Aspects of Competitive Running
25. Goal Setting and Race Time Prediction
26. Motivation
27. Mental Training
28. Prerace Logistics and Day-of-Race Routine
29. Race Strategy
30. Race Tactics

Part VII: Running Form and Shoes
31. Running Form and Economy
32. Running Shoes

Part VIII: Food and Drink for Health and Performance
33. Fuel and Nutrition for Running
34. Hydration and Running
35. Performance Weight

Part IX: The Running Environment
36. Hot Weather Running
37. Cold Weather Running

Part X: Specific Competitors
38. The Masters Competitor
39. The Female Competitor

40. The Young Competitor

Part XI: Illness and Injury
41. Illness
42. Injury

Part XII: Special Training
43. Strength Training
44. Stretching
45. Cross-Training
46. Treadmill Training
47. Heart-Rate Monitor Training

Part XIII:
48. Balancing Running With Life

Appendix
Index

This is the best and most complete book on running since Jim Fixx's mammothly successful book 25 years ago. What I like best about the Glover's book is that it has something in it for every runner, from the casual jogger to an elite marathoner. Each chapter focuses on a special area of the sport: injuries, mileage, women's running, seniors, masters runners, even children developing into competitive athletes.

The title is instructive: there is an emphasis on competitive running, with the focus primarily in 10K road races to the marathon. Several of the elite and most popular marathons are discussed at length, incuding Boston, L.A., New York and Chicago. There are some useful tips on how to increase your weekly mileage, avoid injury, carbo loading before the race and recovery afterwards. Having completed marathons, I can tell you that it's easy to do than you think and once you start completing the 26.2 mile courses, you'll be hooked for as long as your body will hold out.

Running is a joyous activity and one which brings many individual rewards. If you're a serious, addicted runner, you'll love this book, but the beginners will also reap great rewards. It's well-written, fun to read and instructive. Highly recommended.