Marathon Training: Proven 100-Day Programs for Successful Finishes

The thought of covering 26.2 miles, or 42.2 kilometers, on foot is as frightening as it is fascinating. The act itself might appear as simple as putting one foot in front of the other and remembering to alternate feet. But doing this for hours on end can seriously test your physical as well as mental resources. A marathon takes anywhere from a little over two hours to a lot more than five hours to complete. The event drains your fluid and fuel reserves. It hammers your feet and legs. It makes you wonder at some point late in the race, "What am I doing here?" The decision to run a marathon is not made lightly. It's a major commitment of time and energy. This training can be quite gratifying if done right, or equally distressing if done wrong. Here author and marathon coach Joe Henderson helps maximize your gratification and minimize your distress. This event requires special training - and lots of it for a long time. The book focuses on those training requirements. This isn't a book about the history or personalities or statistics of the marathon, or about training for any other distance but the marathon. This book deals exclusively with how to get to and through a race that justifies all the time and effort you put into it. Marathon Training offers proven training programs, each lasting three months, for three different levels of runners. Joe Henderson provides the tools for writing individualized sessions for each of the 100 days. Supporting each one is a "Thought for the Day" and a "Tip for the Day." Together these items supply the information and inspiration you need to complete the training - and eventually the marathon itself.