The Non-Runner's Marathon Trainer Reviews

• Got 16 Weeks?

  
  By A3PON0VDOSKG3L on 2008-03-16
  Originally published in 1998, this book has been around awhile and stood the test of time. Who's it for? NORMAL people who have the desire to run and complete a marathon BUT also have other commitments that take up their time such as a family, job, etc. Don't have tons of time to train? This is your book. Need to get together a plan of attack? Keep reading.
  
  The promise of the book is to that you'll be able to run 26.2 miles training just 4 days a week with no runs over 18 miles. It is based on a marathon class offered over the years at the University of Northern Iowa that touts a high success rate for 1st time marathoners. The book accomplishes this goal in sixteen chapters, one for every week of training.
  
  Each chapter is cleanly divided up into 3 parts. Part one deals with the mental aspects of marathon training (which in my opinion is just as important as physical preparation when it comes to marathons), part two lays out the actual training program for the week, and the third part of each chapter contains advice and suggestions from people who have done the course and the program.
  
  The book has a final 17th chapter which gives advice such as what to do after the marathon to make sure you recover well. Finally, the book ends with three appendices- one is a list of marathons to help you pick from, another on research that has been done on the program, and the last one a list of references and resources (always good to have those at hand).
  
  All-in-all its a very COMPLETE book covering everything you can imagine about training for a marathon such as stretches, weight training exercises, nutritional advice, how to dress, and what shoes to wear.
  
  Some practical bits: the 16 week training program does start you out running three miles, so in reality, you can tack on about another month or so of training to the 16 weeks in order to build up to the 3-mile starting point of the program. Along the same lines, pick a marathon that will be held no less than five months from the time you expect to start getting ready. And finally, runners suffering from plantar fasciitis might also want to check out The 5-Minute Plantar Fasciitis Solution. Good luck :)
  
  

• The Magic of this book

  
  By A18PMNF929DT5M on 1999-12-02
  As a non runner and very limited and inconsistant excerciser, I found this book as I grandiosely thought about running the NYC 99 Marathon. The holistic approach was inspirational beyond belief. The primary theme of the book which was continually addressed in every chapter drove home the fact that "perception can become realty". The main goal was to focus every aspect of your training on your number one goal ie, to finish the marathon. When I mentioned to those who knew me that I was training for the marathon using this book, they really thought I was experiencing delusions of grandeur thinking "right you can read this book and run a marathon in 16 weeks; don't believe everything you read" After following everything in the book with only one slip up when I tried to do too much I was fully ready to run 26.2 miles. After a brief feeling of anxiety while on the bus to Staten Island, once I started running I had no doubt that I could finish. The personal statements from the students in training and the overwhelming statistics of how many of the students or "followers" finished gave the book total validity. If you follow the book in its basic beliefs, you can run and finish a marathon. These include: not over training, not setting unrealistic expectations or other agendas, not listening to others telling you you're a dreamer not a marathoner, not going on any crazy diets, and not thinking negative. Simply doing what the book says is enough. The major issue will be that you must be able and willing to make the commitment and except in extraordinary situations never put other priorities ahead of the training. You must run 4 days a week, take a day off before and after the long run, dring plenty of water, buy the right shoes and clothes, trying eating good foods (I always remembered what I ate after I started my run; fried foods make your run a real drag). THIS BOOK WORKS. When they say believe us that you will finish if you do the training our way they are CORRECT..I finished the NYC 1999 Marathon On Nov 7th (5hr, 23min but whose counting) having gone from taking a month to run 3 miles without stopping 20 weeks earlier. The book is a major self esteem builder. When you realize that less than 1% of the population have finished a marathon and you are one of them you will know the feeling of personal success. NO ONE CAN EVER TAKE AWAY THE FEELING OF FINISHING. WHAT A FEELING OF ACCOMPLISHMENT. This book goes beyond running to developing a positive attitude toward life in general. I have given it to several others three of whom are now training for their first marathon. Beware though, positive can be addictive.
  
  

• I'm a Marathoner

  
  By A3UELP7ZM0Q4P6 on 2001-10-29
  This is the first review I've ever written on Amazon. This book made such a difference in my life, I had to comment on it. Six months ago I decided I needed to do something to get in better shape. I was in decent shape, I played raquet ball a few times a week, but I couldn't run more than a mile and really didn't have any interest in doing so. I came across the book title on Amazon and decided to check it out. I read the book while on vacation and decided I was going to run a marathon. I did the pre-training for a week and then began the program. Then the most important part, I started telling friends and family I was going to run a marathon.

  I finished my first marathon yesterday( 10/28/01) in Mystic, Connecticut, in four hours and 51 minutes. I thoroughly enjoyed myself and I learned that the marathon was the reward and the training was the goal. During my training I read a number of marathon books, they all had helpful advice, but none were as important as this book. It was a guide, a reference and logbook. Its no longer just a book, its a memoir of the journey to my first marathon!
  
  

• An integral part of my training!

  
  By A2ZUMP8CAHSNM2 on 2000-05-31
  For years I had watched people run marathons, and was filled with a mixture of awe and the feeling that "they are nuts!" Deep down I knew that I wanted to tackle a marathon someday, but I was scared that I didn't have it in me. This book changed that perception.

  In the spring of 1999 I suddenly decided to sign up for the Twin Cities Marathon. In searching for advice on how to prepare, I checked out every book I could find at our local library. Most of them were just not for me. They assumed that I had been running for years (in truth, I hadn't laced up my shoes in almost 10 years). The minute I picked up this book, that all changed. It might as well have been titled "Ben's Marathon Trainer."

  The tone/mantra of this book is simple and consistent -- "If you WANT to run a marathon you CAN run a marathon." You set your goal (to finish the race regardless of time) and visualize that goal early and consistently.

  Each chapter focuses on one week in a 16 week training schedule. They provide a well paced physical schedule like all the other books. However, what this book provides that the others are lacking is a week by week EMOTIONAL training schedule. I don't know how many times I would come back from a training run feeling a little down, pick up the the book, and find that the next section talked SPECIFICALLY about the emotions I had felt on the run.

  Count me as one of this book's success statistics! Just as I visualized, I finished the TC Marathon with flying colors (if not a flying time ;) ). Better yet, I loved every minute of it.
  
  

• It really does work

  
  By A24HN75R518Y5M on 2000-10-24
  The training course (which includes only four runs a week) is very reasonable for us non-runner types, but what really make this book work are the mental exercises. Due to injury I actually missed the two longest long runs and started two weeks of physical therapy a month before my marathon. But because this book keeps reinforcing keeping a positive attitude it never occured to me that I wouldn't finish. Well, this Sunday (Oct 22) with a heavily bandaged knee and my longest previous run being only 16 miles, I finished the Marine Corps Marathon in 5:39:39. I found out after the fact that even my doctor didn't think I'd make it.

  For the record, before I started training six months ago I had never been a runner. My first run of 1.6 miles made me dizzy, exhausted and very sore afterwards. Six months later I can run 26.2 on a bad knee. If anyone out there is at all interested in running a marathon I say go for it. The feeling of running across that finish line while the crowd is cheering you on is more than worth it.

  If you do decide to do it, buy this book.
  
  

• Promises more than it should?
  By on 2003-06-07
  The premise of this book is that virtually anyone can finish a marathon by following this four month schedule. The book is based on the authors' experiences teaching a 4-month long "Marathon class" at a university on several occasions. The authors assert that only ONE person out of 200 who have taken the class failed to complete a marathon (allowed himself to get dehydrated.) I'm wondering if there is a hidden stat here not revealed--how many people dropped out of the class because of injury or exhaustion?

  As an "adult onset athlete" who began getting serious about exercise a little less than two years ago, I'd have to say this book, for all of its inspiring promises, doesn't jibe with my experience. The authors suggest that even completely out of shape people who have never run (like myself) can get up to a base level of fitness in just a month. Sounds like a good way to court injury and failure to me. For sedentary people, a good month of rigorous exercise short of running would be a smart start, followed by a very gradual walk/run program, until you can run 3 miles a few months down the road. Anything faster is courting injury.

  I finished my first 20k a few weeks ago, about a year and a half after beginning my running program. Along the way I dealt with the usual--shin splints, runner's knee, and the warning signs of IT band syndrome. All of these things were the result of pushing myself too far, too fast, but I was able to overcome each by taking a step back in training, finding alternative exercises and moving forward. However, if I had started the program this book suggests one month after I started running, I KNOW I would not have been able to complete it. Bodies need time to strengthen themselves. Cardio fitness comes quickly, but the muscles and bones just can't keep up with that pace.

  I'm now beginning my first marathon training, and have found much of the advice in this book--especially what it has to say about the mental game--very useful. It offers a moderate program--just 4 days a week of running--which also makes sense for a novice runner.

  But if you are a sedentary person, and are picking up this book as a way to jump start a fitness program, I'd suggest you start more slowly, and get a good year's base of consistent fitness efforts before setting out on a program like this. Yes, I'm sure there ARE people out there who jumped right into marathon training and managed to succeed, but why risk jeopardizing your new-found commitment to exercise, by launching into a program that may defeat your goal by bringing on injury? If your goal is commiting to a new fit lifestyle, there are plenty of other goals you can set to get you started--a first 5k and a first 10k are achievements a new runner can be just as proud of.

  Here are a few titles I have found useful, and a bit more realistic: "Real Exercise for Real People" by Peter and Lorna Francis," and "Marathoning for Mortals" by John Bingham and Jenny Hadfield.
  
  

• From Couch Potato to Road Warrior
  By A1MTMFPGDHKQI2 on 2000-07-28
  I bought this book because I was not a runner and wondered how anyone could possibly run a marathon. I started up Jan 4 2000 in the dead of winter. I used the book exclusively to prepare for the Pittsburgh Marathon May 7, 2000. The mental preparation and the training schedule were perfect. The schedule has you running only 4 days a week. Running more than 4 days a week would not have been possible with my work and family. The personal stories in the book are very helpful to motivate you to continue your quest. I went from no miles to finishing the marathon in only four months of training. If I can do it following the book, anyone can. You do not need a running partner although it could be helpful. I kept good notes and compared back to each chapter. Great course to follow for the first marathon. The biggest lesson of the book is to have your only expectation is to finish the marathon. Not how fast!
  
  
• Excellent in every way.
  By A2MU2RGZYV9E8K on 2003-10-31
  I have run for over 20 years and never contemplated a marathon. My wife trained with 3 friends and ran one in 2001; I was the support person and ran the last 7 miles. I did a couple of half marathons and did not do well and wanted to train, formally, for a half marathon. I decided to start from scratch and I bought this book thinking that if I did some or most of their training protocol, I would be in good shape for a half marathon. The book sucked me right in from the start. It has spoken to me as few other books have (Body Building 101 did, too). I did the training and enjoyed it where before distance running could be a chore. My wife and I completed the Cape Cod Marathon on 10/26/03 and I know in my heart that I would never have even started this journey without the inspiration, information and motivation of the folks that wrote this book. I am positive that the physical and mental tools it taught me will continue to make a huge difference in every aspect of my personal and professional life. A truly wonderful book and experience. Its not about the 26.2 miles, its about learning how to overcome self-imposed limitations in every aspect of life be they physical, mental, emotional or spiritual.
  
  
• Running a marathon is the best idea you've ever had
  By AG4G7ORMWHHVZ on 2003-12-25
  If you read this review then you've probably thought that hey, you too could run a marathon. Let me congratulate you, this is the best idea you've ever had!
  I ran my first marathon in May 2002 and it has literally made me a different person. I know now that whenever I set my mind to something, I can do it, and marathon training has provided me with the self-discipline and self-confidence that I didn't have before. Want to lose 20 pounds or grow big biceps? No problem, just do it! This is the lesson I've learned from marathoning, nothing else really comes close to this experience.

  Now when I've hopefully reinforced your idea, you need a training manual. I had several books at my disposal when I was training, all with slightly different marathon training programs, here's the list (in the order of increasing difficulty of the program)
  "The Non-Runner's Marathon Trainer" by David Whitsett
  "4 Months to a 4 Hour Marathon" by Dave Kuehls
  "Galloway's Book on Running" by Jeff Galloway
  "Competitive Runner's Handbook" by Shelly-Lynn Florence Glover

  I believe the first two in this list to be good for first-time marathoners. "The Non-Runner's Marathon Trainer" has the easiest program mileage-wise, if you have never run before then this is probably most suitable for you. However, I ended up using the "4 Months" book as the primary source myself for the following reasons.
  1) Information was easier to find in "4 Months". It was very convenient to carry around with me and I could QUICKLY find all relevant information while the other books had too much "fluff" in them.
  2) "The Non-Runner's Marathon Trainer" emphasizes on every step how their primary goal is not competitiveness but safety and the author discourages you from setting a time goal. If you don't feel competitive at all and just want to finish a marathon, it's perfectly fine and "Non-Runner's" is a great book for you. However, I have always been a competitive person in my life, so "4 Months" suited me better.
  3) The weekly long runs in "Non-Runner's" go up to 18 miles. Now this lets you finish the marathon but I feel that a longer run would be better for two reasons.
  First, the harder you train, the easier the marathon itself is. My personal training program was relatively hard and it required great effort to complete it. However, running the marathon itself was really surprisingly easy and I could handily beat the four hour mark. There's nothing wrong with an easier training program but I promise you that the more you've trained, the more you will enjoy the race.
  Second, many scientists believe that human body is capable of doing whatever it has done before plus about 10%. "4 Months" follows this idea and the longest run there is 24 miles. At the same time "Non-Runner's" has 18 miles as the longest run and then focuses on "beating the wall" i.e. a point of exhaustion that you're supposed to hit at around 20 miles (notice how this is approximately 10% more than 18). My longest run was 24 miles and there was no wall when I raced! Your own experience may vary but longer runs do help you greatly.

  These are the reasons why I'm giving "Non-Runner's" just 4 stars. Now don't get me wrong, it's a great book and it does help you run a marathon (which is the greatest thing you'll ever do!) but I feel that for some people other books would be more suitable.

  Anyway, whichever book you get, good luck with your first marathon!!
  
  

• The Non-Runner's Marathon Trainer
  By A1VK4FP7KZ9TDF on 1999-12-13
  I'm not a runner, nor am I a big reader, but this book was truly inspirational. Definitely written for the novice with simple, easy to follow instructions for successfully completing your first marathon! Every chapter contains overwhelming testimonials from people that are going through the same experience. If you don't have a partner to train with, this book definitely compensates. I bought it because the Amazon reviews sounded too good to be true, but they were right on target.
  
  
• This book made me a Believer!
  By A1J4J1X4747Z4B on 2000-10-16
  Yesterday 10/15/00, I ran and finished my first marathon! I purchased this book back in May/June, read through it that month, chose my marathon, and started the program. I did exactly what the authors said and as an extra helper--I even signed up for a marathon class (but I did not use the class' 6-day weekly training schedule). It turned out, I really didn't need the marathon class, the book alone was enough! I used the 4-day weekly schedule and the mental imagery exercises and it worked! I even missed a few days of training, which I thought might have hindered my efforts during the marathon but my longest run was 18 miles and as they write in the book, "if you can run 18 miles, you can run 26!" Being a first-timer, I set no time goals, my only goal was to finish--(one tip I did take from the class was to do the marathon 5 miles at a time), and I finished my marathon in 5:18. WHAT AN INCREDIBLE EXPERIENCE! I recommend this book to anyone who has an inkling of a thought that they might want to run a marathon--get this book and get started! YOU CAN DO IT! "LESS THAN 1% OF THE POPULATION EVER ATTEMPTS A MARATHON." JOIN OUR 1% MARATHON FAMILY!
  
  
• If you buy it, You will run!
  By AW849H6ZB9DTE on 2001-02-07
  I ran a few miles several times a week before I bought this book but really didn't think my knees or lungs could go much farther than about six miles. I had been talking about running a half-marathon for years. Finally I was talking to a runner who said if I was serious about it I should buy a book and start training. So I upped my goal to a full marathon, bought this book, read it, followed it, and 16 weeks later I finished a marathon. Other than a commitment to do it, it was almost that simple. The book's approach to staying healthy, staying positive, and finishing the marathon was right on the money. As I trained alone, the stories by other runners really helped. Most amazing was the timing of advice. Often I would get off track or start to set unrealistic goals and about that time, the book would get me back focused on my goal - stay healthy, stay positive, finish. The four day per week approach is also a big plus. With my travel schedule I don't think I could have stuck to a more aggressive schedule. If you follow the plan, four days a week is all you need. Amaze your friends. Commit to this and do it.
  
  
• Walt Disney World Marathon, 01/09/2005
  By A343PMUDB6G03J on 2005-01-12
  I NEVER would have picked myself as a marathon runner, but thanks to this book, I AM!!! When I first saw the book in the bookstore, I was intrigued by the title - The Non-Runner's Marathon Trainer. I thought, "Why would a non-runner want to run a marathon?" I opened it up, and there was the 16-week schedule right in front of me. It seemed too easy to be real, so I put the book down, made my other purchases, and went home. However, I kept thinking back to the premise of the book - that anyone can run a marathon....ANYONE. My curiosity got the best of me, and the next day, there I was in the bookstore reading more. Before this purchase, I had never run more than 1 mile at a time, ever.
  
  Mind you, this is about finishing a marathon, not winning one. Elite athletes take years of hard training to compete at that level, and no book is going to help anyone get there in just a few weeks. However, with slow steady progress and the right mental attitude, you can train your body to keep moving for the amount of time it takes to finish the marathon (for me, it was 4 hours, 46 minutes).
  
  The keys are very simple:
  1. Get the right shoes. Lots of running injuries are related to shoes that don't fit the runner (pronating, motion control, etc.). You can't train for a marathon in a pair of Keds.
  
  2. Stretch. Before and after the run, stretch. The book could have put the stretches earlier in the book for those who read as they train; still, almost an entire chapter is related to stretching.
  
  3. Drink. Another major mistake beginning runners (like myself) have is not drinking enough water during and after your training runs. Water is the body's lubricant, without it, things can grind to a halt.
  
  4. Mental Attitude. 26.2 miles is a long way, having a bad attitude makes it even longer. A positive attitude can give you the energy you need to have productive training runs, and a successful marathon.
  
  5. Slow, steady progress. No week's training is more than 10% more than the week before (with the sole exception of week 6). This will allow your body to adjust to the higher mileage with less risk of injury. However, due to the condensed timeframe of the schedule, the generally used two-weeks up, one-week back mileage method isn't used. Whether that helps or hurts is a matter for discussion.
  
  On another note, you really have to want to run a marathon, because despite the simplicity of the training program, you still have to run about 500 miles to complete the marathon training schedule, so don't be fooled by the relative ease of the training schedule.
  
  Overall, if you are a non-runner, or are new to running, and want to run a marathon, this is a great book to have, and a very valuable resource. It worked for me, now I'm a marathoner, and no one can take that away from me!
  
  
  
• why is everyone so positive?
  By A1BJF8XXGURMI8 on 2006-02-28
  In regard to review number 42
  "Promises more than it should?, June 7, 2003"
  
  I think this dude has got it spot on, you need to take your time in building a running base to ensure you lessen the chance of causing injury or just start completely hating running right from the start.
  
  "For sedentary people, a good month of rigorous exercise short of running would be a smart start, followed by a very gradual walk/run program, until you can run 3 miles a few months down the road. Anything faster is courting injury."
  
  I just wanna ask a question why is everyone so positve in these amazon reviews? and if someone says something that is sensible and actually worthwhile people dont find the review useful? 24 out of 42 people found that review useful? I think its the most sensible review out you all at least it doesnt sound like he/she was paid for their review like some of the other advertisements passed off as reviews.
  
  
• Overweight and out of shape to marathoner in 16 weeks!
  By A21BH3W0XY0ZWE on 2002-09-10
  When I first purchased this book, I was not a runner. I had dabbled in running a year earlier, and had finished two 5K (3.1 mile) races and one 10K race. I let myself quit running regularly because of circumstance, and proceeded to eek out a mile or two every other month or so.

  I saw this title on Amazon and was intrigued. I wanted to change my lifestyle; to go from an unhealthy, binge-eating, channel-surfing existence to healthy, active, and energetic life. Thanks to this book, I have - and you can, too!

  The book is based on the "Marathon 101" class taught at The University of Northern Iowa. It gives accounts of the training and the big day from journals kept by the students, who cover a broad range of age and ability. Feeling that I "shared" the experience of training with these students helped me along considerably. Many of them wrote of the same pitfalls and triumphs I was encountering.

  Both mental and physical preparation are stressed in the book, with each chapter broken down in a Mental/Physical/Student Testimonial fashion. I had never considered myself athletic, so I believed the training program would be pretty tough. It's not. Just as they say in the book, if you do everything they tell you to do, you will FINISH!

  The day of my marathon, the temperature broke 90 degrees and the air was thick with humidity. Though I struggled with the mental aspect of finishing, I ran across the finish line in 6:31:04 (yes, 6 hours!). I know the only reason I could run and walk for over six hours was because this book provides such wonderful mental preparation. The goal is to finish. Nothing more. Now I am looking forward to reaching my new goal of running another marathon.

  Content presentation and editing are the only negatives of this book. I was sometimes frustrated when trying to review information because the physical portions of EVERY chapter are called "Physical Preparation" in the Table of Contents. More descriptive sub-titles would be helpful. Some of the journal entries seemed to be in the wrong chapter as well, since the students would talk about mileage I hadn't run yet, or distances that were not in the program as it is currently presented.

  Overall, I highly recommend this book to anyone who has ever had a flicker of a dream to run a marathon. You do not have to be born an athlete in order to achieve athletic success. Experienced runners may or may not want to read the sections on physical preparation, but may enjoy the mental preparation techniques.
  
  

• Just Mediocre
  By A18I8EYPJK3XMA on 2004-11-02
  I won't say that this is a bad book but it certainly has problems. This is another you can run a marathon in n weeks book that has the athelete adding a huge number of training miles in a very short period of time. The authors also provide a program to get nonrunners started. They claim there has never been a failure. First, the results are based on a course and no information is provided on dropout rate. Second, the authors have written journal papers on the results from the course and conveniently not included the dropouts. Thirdly, although the authors claim the runners are from a variety of backgrounds, weights, etc. this is not really true. There is only one truly heavy runner and he was a former football player. Fourth, for some inexplicable reason, the authors seem to believe the runner can run through just about any kind of injury! The mental training aspects of the book are good enough and the stretching sections are useful for the uninitiated. But many people will be injured if they follow this training plan. The real basic assumption here is that those for who the program does not work will disappear and not be heard from again. That is unfortunate for there is a real need for a book at this level.
  
  
• A great training partner . . .
  By A8AH0BGFRM1YM on 2000-03-12
  This is a great book! I finished my first marathon (Los Angeles, 2000) with my wife (her 2nd). The goal they "hammer" home is to simply finish, and not to worry about time in your 1st marathon (good advice -- that keeps it fun). The schedule is very attainable. I'm already looking forward to L.A. 2001!
  
  
• EXACTLY WHAT THE TITLE SAYS
  By A19S40ZWYESV42 on 2004-03-03
  If you have ever thought it would be cool to run a marathon but shrugged it off because you're not an athlete - this book can take you to the finish line! You will find all the physical, mental and inspirational information you need in here. I used this to run my first marathon last year, and I had only run a few 5K's in college (I'm early 30's and overweight). I was able to finish with no problems. My brother ran with me and followed this program too... and he had never run ANY race EVER. A very do-able training schedule, since it's only 4 days a week.

  Others have also commented and I agree, there may be better choices for you if your goal is not to simply finish a marathon. This book focuses on getting a typical couch potato like me to the finish line without injury. Look elsewhere if you want to achieve a specific time.

  Enjoy running your first marathon....YOU CAN DO IT!!!!
  
  

• You Are a Marathoner
  By on 1999-10-14
  I am 11 days away from running my first marathon. I have never in my life enjoyed running. In fact, I've always hated it. I read the introduction to this book that my friend had showed me, and when I finished reading it, I closed the book, looked over at her and said "I'm gonna run that marathon with you!" It has been so motivating and so encouraging since day one. If you are up for a little challenge or have ever dreamt of bearing the title "Marathoner," look no further. There is no other book that you should buy.
  
  
• Excellent Guide For A First Marathon
  By on 2001-07-21
  As a runner in high school, I suffered a knee injury, and as a result I always believed that I would never achieve my dream of completing a marathon. In August of 2000 I decided that a marathon was a must for my personal fulfillment. I ran across Whitsett and Dolgener's book, purchased it, and immediately grew excited as I read through its first pages. I began my training and followed the book's every instruction during those crucial early weeks.

  The Non-Runner's Marathon Trainer not only prepared me for my first marathon, but changed my entire lifestyle. I ate healthier meals and snacks during my training, utilized my sleep time in such a way that I felt refreshed when I woke up in the mornings, and slimmed down without even meaning to better my appearance! I especially appreciated the advice not to wear a watch while running...this made running less stressful. Plus, I had very little free time, but this training program only requires four workouts each week, and gives helpful pointers on how to arrange these runs around busy schedules.

  I finished the Kiawah Island Marathon in December 2000 in a decent amount of time, and the following week sent the authors a letter of positive feedback, thanking them for writing this book.

  If you are not a routine runner but hope to finish a marathon, this book is an excellent source! I highly recommend it.
  
  

• One of the best marathon training books!
  By A3EIVY7KJS1A2G on 2005-03-21
  Does this sound like you? Early thirties, married, houseful of kids, very little time to exercise much less train for a marathon? Well, that's my story too! Nevertheless, I had always thought it would be the thrill of a lifetime to run in a marathon-and with this book's help, I did!
  I couldn't stomach the thought of following programs that made you run six days a week, spending hours and hours out there-who has time for that? But this book sounded very doable...I started the training program, carving out running time around a hectic schedule and four kids, and I finished the Milwaukee Marathon-just like the book promised. Anyone who is determined to run a marathon can, if they can commit to training according to this book. Not only was the mileage schedule a great help, but the book offers tons of tips on running-from nutrition to breathing to the right kind of shoes to wear. Buy the book-you'll feel like a champion when you cross that finish line!
  
  
• Amazing!
  By on 2000-02-29
  If you're a runner, or even if you're not, this book will give you the know how to to psychologically and physically run a marathon. This book is based on research from a class at the University of Northern Iowa, where non-runners routinely run marathons.

  I used this book to train for a marathon, and it was fabulous. I can't recommend this book enough!

  Buy some good running shoes, open the book, and hit the pavement!
  
  

• Worked for Us!
  By A1UBI684LF0KB0 on 2001-05-18
  I bought this book for my wife for Christmas (2000) after she decided "we" wanted to run a marathon in the spring (2001). We set our sites on the FlyingPig marathon in Cinci OH. We started training Jan-1st following the schedule outlined in the book. On May-6th, we both crossed the finishline in 5-hr 9-sec. Not bad for a couple of 40+ non-marathoners. The book was central to our success. Now my wife tells me "we" are going to run our 2nd marathon in the Fall. Don't buy this book if you really don't want to run a marathon ;-)
  
  
• GREAT FIRST TIME MARATHON BOOK!!!!!!!!
  By A67WXHI8K0IKO on 2004-01-16
  This is my first review for Amazon. The book The Non-Runner's Marathon Trainer is a WONDERFUL BOOK!!!! I got the urge to run my first Marathon about 6 months ago and my stepsister recommended this book to me. So I signed up for my marathon (Rock 'n' Roll Arizona 1/11/04) and started the training. This book was AMAZING!!! It gave me a really easy to follow schedule for running as well as valuable nutrition tips, stretching tips, and some wonderful and inspirational stories that helped me not only finish my first marathon but finish it in under 5 hours!!!! I highly recommend this book to anyone who has ever thought about running a marathon, you WILL be able to finish a marathon after reading this book!!!
  
  
• I Just Finished the 2004 NYC Marathon Thanks To This Book!
  By A364TUI71JBQM6 on 2004-11-09
  I just finished my first marathon, the 2004 NYC Marathon, thanks to this book. I don't really like running and had not run more than a 10K prior to following this training program. I was so happy to see that I could finish a marathon training just 4 days a week. The experiences of the runners profiled in the book were inspirational. I love NY, the crowds all along the route definitely kept me going.
  
  
• Rejoice: You CAN Run!
  By A2JBREBK5TRXVQ on 2005-04-21
  To all the people out there who think they just don't have a "runner's build," or suffer with discomfort when tackling the treadmill...this book will change you! You will discover hidden strengths, find the motivation, and achieve the runner's form you secretly envy. The key to this training is a gradual "easing" into musculo-skeletal conditioning, with clear-cut and easy-to-follow charts guiding your way. Gosh- I don't mean to sound like an info-mercial, however, I just have to say that this book helped me tremendously. I was one of those folks who always had shin-splints, ran *really* slowly, got bored quickly, and ended up avoiding the whole thing. So now I can run 10 miles and enjoy the inner-nirvana that endorphins bring. Not only did this book suggest safe training techniques, it's chock full of personal stories of non-runners. Buy it, you won't regret it!
  
  
• A great book!
  By A2VRBJF9QD699O on 2002-05-13
  I would have never known of this book had I not heard the author do an interview on NPR. I am so glad I did. I hadn't run in over 5 yrs and was a grandmother of 5 but something made me want to get this book and go for it.
  They promise you will finish a marathon if you follow the book and that you CAN do it. I bought the book Oct '01 and last weekend 5/11/02 I finished the Lake Geneva Marathon. This book gives you everything you need to make it. It was like the bible to me for 26 weeks. Be careful though- it may change the way you think forever- after this you may think anything is possible!
  Highly recommended to anyone who wants a real challenge!
  
  
• Judge this book by its cover
  By A19MSXAB0CUFD4 on 2005-04-07
  If you're not much of a runner, or not a runner at all, and feel inspired to run a marathon, this is the definitive book to get you to the finish line.
  
  As a first-time runner of a marathon in the fall of 2004, I can easily say that inspiration and hardwork alone won't get you there. Whitsett and others do a good job covering the basics from training schedules, to reducing the risk of injury and proper nutrition. And in some respects that might be enough.
  
  However, the first-person accounts of the successes and frustrations of training and running one's first marathons will help anyone through the difficult, agonizing miles of training and running.
  
  Most of us might never run a marathon again, might never qualify for Boston, but Whitsett shows us the way to accomplish what is still an intensely personal, significant goal for many of us.
  
  
• Hey "Farmer John"
  By A1II86VEZ7P815 on 2005-10-17
  This review is a response to "Farmer John", who wrote the following review:
  
  If one has never run before this might be a reasonable book. Heavy on obvious and 'touchy-feely' advice, low on practical, up-to-date advice. Ten pages of good stuff packed into 150.
  
  Response: Okay, genius, the book is called the Non-Runner's Marathon Trainer! It's supposed to be for people who have never run before. If you were an olympian, this book would be a little basic, but that's not who it's written for. Perhaps you should read the titles of books before you review them.
  
  
• I just finished about 2 hours ago!
  By A28M4DNPF8646B on 2006-10-01
  I'm sitting here typing this with salt on my face and a medal around my neck. I have this book to thank for finishing my first marathon, and I couldn't be happier.
  
  Believe the reviews, people, this program really works. If you're reading this, you're thinking about doing it. Know this... YOU CAN. This book will help get you there. Whitsett's book will not only train you physically, but mentally to cross the finish line. This is not a primer on how to run a fast marathon, but just how to get it done. If you stick to the training, you can do it.
  
  I don't know if I've ever felt a bigger sense of accomplishment in my life. You can have that feeling too. Trust your instincts. You want to do it! Do it!
  
  

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