Mastering the Marathon: Time-Efficient Training Secrets for the 40-Plus Athlete [Tapa blanda]

Don Fink's book is perfect for athletes who want to keep improving after turning 40. I've run 12 marathons, hit 40 and felt like I was plateauing. With Don's program, I feel stronger and healthier (and no nagging injuries!). I highly recommend this book for anyone who runs, regardless of the skill level. Fink's philosophy works for athletes at all levels, from elite to middle-of-the-pack. Try it! It will put you on the road to your ultimate potential.

I was enjoying this book right up to the point where the author advocates a heel strike running form. 2 years ago, despite investing in the most highly reviewed running shoes and custom orthotics, I was barely able to walk and had given up on running. I had plantar fasciitis in both feet, shin splints, sore knees and hips. My 49 year old brother in law, an avid runner, just had his first hip replacement. My running days were over. One night while watching the Daily Show, I saw an interview with Christopher McDougal and his book Born To Run, that literally changed my life. He was the first individual to describe how I was feeling and to offer hope. My wife gave me Born To Run and I started alternating training barefoot over short distances and purchased a pair of Newton performance trainers for longer runs. While the transition to natural running was tough at first, and hard on my calves, I worked really hard to unlearn my bad heel strike habits and to run more naturally. Quarter miles turned into miles, and I will never look back. I am 50 years old now and am training for my first marathon. While much in this book is very valuable, it lost some credibility for me over the heel strike form issue. Especially for us older athletes, in my opinion, the last thing we should be doing is striking on the heel and driving those impact forces through the heel into the knees, hips and back. I would advise reading this book for the three magic bullets and cross training options, and then watch the online videos at newtonrunning.com and read the Harvard studies relative to running form. Other great sources on form are Chi Running and Evolution Running. You can also watch Ryan Hall's amazing form on YouTube. He strikes on the mid foot almost level so his heel never needs to settle far before push off.

I found this book to be thoroughly readable, filled with useful information and even entertaining. The writing is clear, concise and accessible to the average reader. It is not filled with jargon so that as a novice I felt comfortable reading the book and fully understood the plans and techniques set forth. The personal stories about different runners were fun to read and quite inspiring as well.

Don walks you through the entire marathon process with special sections on everything from equipment to stretching with special attention to race day nutrition and hydration. I found these sections to be both useful and reassuring. However, the best part of the book is the training plan and descriptions. As a working parent with two kids my training time is limited so I need to make the most of each training session. In clear detail, Don shows how to make each session count and avoid the "junk miles." That alone is a reason to purchase the book and follow the plan.

I am 100% confident that this book will make me a better runner just as Be Iron Fit has improved my triathlon training beyond my expectations.