The Runner's Handbook : The Bestselling Classic Fitness Guide for Beginning and Intermediate Runners (2nd rev Edition)

I am an off and on runner, but I have never had much guidance on the subject. If Glover has provided anything, it is plenty of guidance in this book. This covers everything a beginning runner could possibly think about - sportswear, motivation, running shoes, stretches, etc. One reader complained about having too much info. Good grief. Skip a chapter if you don't want to learn about it. I highly recommend this book to all budding runners. I plan on referring to it often as I continue running. The only nit I may have is that this books hasn't been updated in a while, so there may be new technologies out there that aren't reflected. This is a minor problem and can be remedied with a little bit of internet research. 5 stars to the running bible.

... However, I laughed today when I saw the "sell this book" button on this page and thought to myself NEVER. This and the competitive runners guide (start with this one unless you are definitely ready to start racing and run regularly already) are books that I take everywhere with me. I hardly have time for novels anymore between my running and my rereading of these two books and I've never been happier ....I was until December a consummate couch potato and now I'm running in the New York City Marathon this coming November and I owe it all to Bob and Shelly-Lynne Glover and these books. I don't need to go further as all you have to do is read nigel's review from London and you have my experience with these books.Oh, I do want to say one thing although it was mentioned in another review as well. I think the reason most people try and give up running and say it isn't for them is that they go out and try to run 2 miles or 20 minutes or something that seems reasonable to them, but really isn't. Take it gradually as the book advices and you will love running and avoid the aches, pains, disappointments, and difficulties that others run into or you may have before in your life.Don't bother with any of the other running books. This is the one you want.

Good source of information. Read his first addition a number of years a good.

If you are serious about getting into running or back into it, BUY this book. I was a runner in highschool and have been an on-again, off-again runner throughout college. I was missing something to help me stick to it. This book helped me tremedously with all of the tips and training programs provided. I love the book so much I recommended it to a friend and I am going to now buy the competitive runner's guide. I have owned the book since January and I have been running consistantly since then, probably my longest period of consistant running since highschool. I highly recommend this book. Enjoy and good luck running!

This is a great book. It would be great for the avid runner, but I think it speaks especially to those who want to be active, but don't know where to start. I have been running for 4 weeks now, and though that isn't very long, I can tell a huge difference in my physical shape as well as my overall demeanor. The book is a conversational read and your never left feeling like you're not good enough or you're not qualified. It teaches that everyone can be a runner with will power and self-determination.

The book is great, it answers most if not all of your questions. Helps you to start up, helps with smooth transition from couch potato to runner. And, most important, prevents you from many mistakes, injuries and wrongdoing.

Very informative and expansive.

one of the best ways to start running. the push you need and the best writen books to enspire you.

'The Runners Handbook' is a comprehensive book covering nearly all aspects of running. It stretches to just over 700 pages, which is a lot of information about this sport. The topics it covers are extremely varied and include, reasons to exercise, getting started and maintaining motivation, training diaries, beginner and intermediate programs, racing, equipment, nutrition, altering your running to suit different environments, fitting your training in with everyday life, women runners, aging runners, kids and disabled runners, illness and injury, cross training and supplemental training and overall wellness. Glover writes extremely well and informally, making for an interesting and engaging read. This book has plenty of tables, but no diagrams that would have added to the overall aesthetic and made clear some of the points raised. This book is written mainly for the American market, but the information enclosed can easily be applied anywhere. It doesn't have much information on various training techniques, such as fartlek and intervals and although these are mentioned briefly, not to any great degree. This is an in-depth and comprehensive book, but for a more attractive package that provides much of the same information I recommend the runners world complete book of running by Amby Burfoot.Feel free to check out my blog which can be found on my profile page.

I took up running as a non-athletic 60 something a few months ago to get fit, and I wanted a book to answer all the questions about running that have been coming up. Googling was quite good but I wanted something comprehensive and - as so many other have found - The Runners Handbook is just what I hoped it would be. It is well organised and covers all the points I wanted advice on, plus those things I didn't realise I needed to know. I've found it easy to look up topics: how much running to do, how to deal with injury, assess my current level of fitness, combine other forms of exercise. All written in an easy good humoured style. Never dogmatic. Always sensible and balanced. It may be an update of a 35 year old book, but I can understand why it continues to sell. I value it enormously.

If you're training for your first marathon, a 5k 'Race for Life' or just trying to get fit then this book will help with your motivation.It's a thick book full of information about how to run, when to run and what will compliment your training. It's a US book so some of the info is US-orientated but still valid on this side of the so called 'pond'. I've skipped many chapters and cherry-picked the information I felt applicable to my needs. It's a good book which I find to be more of a motivational tool rather than a book which defines my running.It's aimed at the serious runner, a competitor. That's not me - I run to keep fit, I don't run in competitions. However, the book is still a worthwhile purchase and it does help you run, and as I said, it's quite motivational.

This book is certainly comprehensive being over 700 pages, but I can't say it was particularly helpful to me. For example I was amazed that the section on running technique comprised just 15 pages. And for that reason, although I read it in one go, I can't even recommend it as a reference book.This may be the biggest book on running, but I don't think its the best. I would recommend something briefer, more suited to the specific type of race / distance you want to run.

I purchased this book when 1st started running well over 10 years ago and read some favourite bits today. There is some really good advise about the obvious things, training programmes, stretching, strengthening, injury etc but on top of that the motivational pieces really do make sense and importantly, make you get out of the door and run.It doesnt lecture, it keeps it fun, it doesnt make running so serious like some literature and running sites do. It doesnt say there's a right way and everyone else is doing it wrong or, if you dont compete you're not a serious runner,.?I'd seriously recommend it to anyone who just enjoys running but hasnt brought this book yet.

Excellent

Present

Great book and very informative about running. Only downside is it's a bit American based but otherwise it's great.

Anyone starting to run will find this an invaluable reference book with many advice sections & tips. My brother in law has been running over 20 years and still uses it.

A decent book but maybe getting a little dated now with the methods. That said a lot of the content is still very much valid.

Some useful info.

I have been running for about five years & bought this book shortly after starting. Its now very tatty as I just keep going back to it. Bob Glover really does know his subject whether that be buying your first trainers or injury diagnosis through to advice on all things running.This book is not a quick fix manual but a runners friend you just keep using when you want sensible & balanced information.Easy to read & highly motivational. I bought this book for a friend who started running recently.

A good book for beginner. I'm not a beginner, I know a lot of things about, I found some new things very interesting and I'm still reading it. However it is a very nice book to read.

It was painful having to read a page of explanation on a stretch when a simple diagram would have explained easily. This man is clearly allergic to graphics. Other than this it is pretty faultless. I was cheered that the author, an accomplished runner, also needed orthotics to not be crippled. It makes me motivated to be better even though my biomechanics are not perfect for running, having double joints.

The best book for someone who have just started running or planning to..full of information..a virtual coach