Product Description
Every decade seems to produce a novel that captures the public’s imagination with a story that sweeps readers up and takes them on a thrilling, unforgettable ride. Ron McLarty’s The Memory of Running is this decade’s novel. By all accounts, especially his own, Smithson "Smithy" Ide is a loser. An overweight, friendless, chain-smoking, forty-three-year-old drunk, Smithy’s life becomes completely unhinged when he loses his parents and long-lost sister within the span of one week. Rolling down the driveway of his parents’ house in Rhode Island on his old Raleigh bicycle to escape his grief, the emotionally bereft Smithy embarks on an epic, hilarious, luminous, and extraordinary journey of discovery and redemption.Amazon.com Review
Ron McLarty has joined the ranks of writers of the quirky hero with The Memory of Running. His hero, Smithy Ide, is in the grand tradition of Ignatius J. Reilly of A Confederacy of Dunces and Quoyle of The Shipping News. What these gentlemen have in common is their lumpen-loser looks, their outsider status and their general befuddlement about the way the world works and their place in it.Smithy rises above them because of his self-effacing nature, his great capacity for love, his inability to show it and his endless willingness to forgive.

Smithy is a 279-pound, hard-drinking, chain-smoking, 43-year-old misfit who works in a G.I. Joe factory putting arms and legs on the action heroes. (How did McLarty come up with that?) He is also the most beguiling anti-hero to come into view in a long, long time. McLarty, an award-winning actor and playwright best known for his many appearances on TV in Law & Order, Sex and the City, The Practice, and Judging Amy, has added another star to his creative crown with this novel.

The first sentence of the book is: "My parents' Ford station wagon hit a concrete divider on U.S. 95 outside Biddeford, Maine, in August 1990." This tragic accident eventually claims both their lives. It is on the day of their funeral that Smithy finds a letter to his father about Bethany, his beloved and deeply troubled sister, stating that, "Bethany Ide, 51, died from complications of exposure... and she has since that time been in the Los Angeles Morgue West." Beautiful Bethany, given to taking off her clothes in public places, holding impossible poses for long periods of time, responding to voices that only she can hear, and disappearing for no known reason. This time, she has been gone for many years and now Smithy knows that she died destitute and alone.When he reads the letter, he is drunk, grief-stricken and, despite a house full of people, he is alone. He goes out to the garage to smoke and have another drink and spies his old Raleigh bicycle. He sits on it, flat tires and all, wheels it to the end of the driveway--and--Smithy doesn’t know it yet, but he is going to ride a bicycle from Maine to Los Angeles to claim his sister's remains.

On the road he meets the good, the bad, and the really bad.He frequently calls Norma, the Ides' across-the-street neighbor, confined to a wheelchair for years, and always in love with him. He has never acknowledged nor returned her ardor, but he starts to count on her friendship during his travels. Their conversations are sweet and revelatory.McLarty has done a superb job of showing us who Smithy is and who he is becoming. It's a wonderful story told with great poignancy and humor. --Valerie Ryan ... Read more

Customer Reviews (179)

It made me think
I enjoyed this book for a number of reasons.I appreciate a book that makes me think about situations differently, and about people, or to perhaps consider my own experiences and how I incoporated them into my personal identity.The character development was magnificent.I could feel the simplistic "I don't know" aspect of Smithy actually growing into a person of depth as he began to awaken from his life of sleepwalking.It was not an action book.It was a thinking book.One of introspection.The characters run the gamut from dispicable to lovable to confusing, but later, understandable.Perhaps the story could make us consider how each of our experiences influence our personal journeys, and what the varied combinations of tragedy, loss, and disappointment can do to the human spirit, whether it be to strengthen or embolden.The author's empathy is obvious.Worth the read.

Too much whining
A fat guy sets off to bicycle across the country letting the trip help him come to terms with the impact his mentally ill sister has had on his life while also keeping him rooted in a relationship to the girl next door. McLarty gives us interesting characters in an interesting story, but there is something profoundly annoying about this book. Perhaps the author is bilking the reader for too much sympathy; perhaps it's the scrambled time sequence. I don't recommend it.

disgusting
Was not at all what I expected.Did not complete reading.Not the kind of book I would keep in my home.In fact, it was trashed.

But not about running
I enjoyed this book and read it in a few days.The author is so unassuming you really fall in love with him and want to see him succeed.But I got it because it was tagged "running".As a beginning runner I thought I might learn something about the philosphy of running.I didn't but I did learn something about the philosphy of life.

Read the Review not the book
There are two positive things about this book, the discussion section at the back and the fact that this eventually ended.A good topic for discussion could be, "Why did you make yourself finish this horrible book?".It was interesting getting introduced to the character but I soon lost interest in his plight. The character was so poorly developed that I kept praying for him to be hit by a car and maybe the rest of the book would be about some other character.This book actually annoyed me, the real author must have been 12 years old and if so he should try harder next time.The love interest in unbelievable and annoying, if this is the author's idea of a relationship then he must be single, living with his mom, and most likely a virgin.
I found the story somewhat unbelievable and I really did not care what happened. You may find this book enjoyable if you are very depressed and want to read about someone who is worse off then you. The person who is worse off is the author.
... Read more

Product Description

Run For Your Life

Jessie lives with her family in the frontier village of Clifton, Indiana, in 1840 -- or so she believes. When diphtheria strikes the village and the children of Clifton start dying, Jessie's mother reveals a shocking secret -- it's actually 1996, and they are living in a reconstructed village that serves as a tourist site. In the world outside, medicine exists that can cure the dread disease, and Jessie's mother is sending her on a dangerous mission to bring back help.

But beyond the walls of Clifton, Jessie discovers a world even more alien and threatening than she could have imagined, and soon she finds her own life in jeopardy. Can she get help before the children of Clifton, and Jessie herself, run out of time? ... Read more

Customer Reviews (261)

Teacher's Grade: A
This debut novel by Maragaret Peterson Haddix is a compelling story that will have students begging their teachers to keep on reading.The premise seems simple: in 1840 the children of Clifton Village are hit by an epidemic of diptheria, and many are dying. To save the villagers, one of the mothers confides to her daughter that it is really 1996, and that the daughter will have to venture out into modern day America in order to save her family and friends.

This is like the Truman Show in that the people of the village are largely ignorant that their every move is being watched by tourists, and filmed by closed circuit TV cameras.It is exciting to read about the escape, and reading about the girl's encounters with KFC, cars, and indoor plumbing is humorous.There is a lot of suspense, and an ending that will have you wishing for more.

Fast-Paced, Fascinating ethical dilemmas, Fun story
In 1996, one of the top vacation and "school-trip" attractions in the US is Clifton Village, hidden away in forests outside Indianapolis. A well-made road carries yellow school busses to the entrance station, and barbed wire fences keep the "wild animals" of an authentic 1840s environment safely separate from local farmers. They also make it hard for young Jessie, wild human rather than wild animal, to escape on her quest to find help and medicine for her family and friends.

Running out of Time, by Margaret Peterson Haddix, tells the story of a young teenager with a very big quest. When Jessie learns that her parents have lived a lie, and forced her to live one too, for most of her life, she struggles to decide who to trust. But she knows who she loves and cares for and bravely sets forth on their behalf. The mysteries of 1996 America are viewed delightfully through Jessie's 1840s eyes. Braving the phone to call for help, Jessie wonders why a stranger's voice asks for money but refuses to wait for an answer. Radios make sounds out of thin air. Cars move like magic carriages propelled without horses.

A naturally brave and adventurous girl, Jessie conquers numerous obstacles in her quest to both save her friends and find the truth about her home. The result is a fast-paced story, with convincing characters, fascinating ethical dilemmas, and realistic excitement, making a really good read for middle-grade students and adults.

Nice and complex conspiracy theory
Thirteen year old Jessie lives in a frontier town, Clifton Indiana in the year 1840. It is a nice comfortable town. Her father is a blacksmith which is indispensible and her mother looked after sick people at night when the local Doc was asleep.One day her mother discovered that the town was plagued with diphtheria. People were going to die without proper medicine.So due to circumstances Jessie was sent out of town to bring back help. This trip could prove deadly for Jessie as she is about to find her world turned up-side-down and we are also in for a shock as we discover a cabal behind a deadly plot.

They say that the people that write best are those people that write about what they know and Margaret Peterson Haddix actually knew of a tourist place similar to where our story starts. Yet the strength in Haddix's story is not as much the intriguing plot as it is her description of people and things. She makes you wonder what you would do.

I knew or thought I pretty much knew the story before reading the book as I saw the movie "The Village" (2004). However the movie was readjusted to match M. Night Shyamalan's standard formula including the standard ending twist. The book was more complex and did not need the minute twist.

The Village (Widescreen Vista Series)

Nice and complex conspiracy theory
Thirteen year old Jessie lives in a frontier town, Clifton Indiana in the year 1840. It is a nice comfortable town. Her father is a blacksmith which is indispensible and her mother looked after sick people at night when the local Doc was asleep.One day her mother discovered that the town was plagued with diphtheria. People were going to die without proper medicine.So due to circumstances Jessie was sent out of town to bring back help. This trip could prove deadly for Jessie as she is about to find her world turned up-side-down and we are also in for a shock as we discover a cabal behind a deadly plot.

They say that the people that write best are those people that write about what they know and Margaret Peterson Haddix actually knew of a tourist place similar to where our story starts. Yet the strength in Haddix's story is not as much the intriguing plot as it is her description of people and things. She makes you wonder what you would do.

I knew or thought I pretty much knew the story before reading the book as I saw the movie "The Village" (2004). However the movie was readjusted to match M. Night Shyamalan's standard formula including the standard ending twist. The book was more complex and did not need the minute twist.

The Village (Widescreen Vista Series)

Nice and complex conspiracy theory
Thirteen year old Jessie lives in a frontier town, Clifton Indiana in the year 1840. It is a nice comfortable town. Her father is a blacksmith which is indispensible and her mother looked after sick people at night when the local Doc was asleep.One day her mother discovered that the town was plagued with diphtheria. People were going to die without proper medicine.So due to circumstances Jessie was sent out of town to bring back help. This trip could prove deadly for Jessie as she is about to find her world turned up-side-down and we are also in for a shock as we discover a cabal behind a deadly plot.

They say that the people that write best are those people that write about what they know and Margaret Peterson Haddix actually knew of a tourist place similar to where our story starts. Yet the strength in Haddix's story is not as much the intriguing plot as it is her description of people and things. She makes you wonder what you would do.

I knew or thought I pretty much knew the story before reading the book as I saw the movie "The Village" (2004). However the movie was readjusted to match M. Night Shyamalan's standard formula including the standard ending twist. The book was more complex and did not need the minute twist.

The Village (Widescreen Vista Series) ... Read more

Product Description
In RUNNING WITH THE BUFFALOES, writer Chris Lear follows the University of Colorado cross-country team through an unforgettable NCAA season. Allowed unparalleled access to team practices, private moments, and the mind of Mark Wetmore--one of the country's most renowned and controversial coaches--Lear provides a riveting look inside the triumphs and heartaches of a perennial national contender and the men who will stop at nothing to achieve excellence. The Buffaloes' 1998 season held great promise, with Olympic hopeful Adam Goucher poised for his first-ever NCAA cross-country title, and the University of Colorado shooting for its first-ever national team title. But in the rigorous world of top-level collegiate sports, blind misfortune can sabotage the dreams of individuals and teams alike. In a season plagued by injury and the tragic loss of a teammate, the Buffaloes were tested as never before. What these men managed to achieve in the face of such adversity is the stuff of legend and glory.
With passion and suspense, Lear captures the lives of these young men and offers a glimpse of what drives a gifted runner like Adam Goucher and a great coach like Mark Wetmore. Like Lance Armstrong's It's Not About the Bike, RUNNING WITH THE BUFFALOES is at once a glowing celebration of a sport and an inspiration to anyone who has ever had the courage to beat the odds and follow a dream.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (74)

I expected more
Given the praise for the book I guess I was expecting more. As noted by another reviewer, it seems that Mark Wetmore over trains his runners as evidenced by the stress fractures and injuries that plagued that season. The author mentions Wetmore pondering whether he is training them too hard. It would have been interesting to compare the training of the NCAA Champion Team from that year (Arkansas) vs. what CU was doing. The writing style was a bit odd as well. It sometimes read like a police report of events that happened at certain times. Kind of like "4:30pm Men run Mags and die in the process" etc. Overall, it was good to read but not my favorite.

Touching, real, and a fun read.
I read this kind of like the runners, fast and with gusto.It really was a page turner and for a runner who has competed it was a great glimpse into an elite world I never really got to see from the inside.

Riveting!
I can't remember the last book I found so hard to put down -- and I never ran in school!

Brings back memories
I ran cross country for a smaller NCAA Div III program.It's amazing how similar our teams were (8k times were much different), but the day to day things were the same (injuries, having to do long sunday runs, tough speed workouts, homework, married life, etc..).It brought back some great memories.There are some shocking events that suprised me in this book.It was great to see how the coach/runners handled everything that came their way. Many of the runners have dry humor.I laughed quite a few times. I would have loved to run for this team.

Good read
Got this book primarily for the insight into how a top level college team trains andwas not disappointed. Has a lot of detailed information about the workouts and race strategies, as well as the runners themselves and their injuries.

Well written, and a good story, but better if you like to get lots of mile times with your stories. A bit more clinical feeling than a book like Born to Run. ... Read more

Product Description
Dr. Romanov's Pose Method Of Running brings his revolutionary ideas that changed the world of running to the professional athlete and amateur alike. In a very succinct and enjoyable manner, it teaches one to perform to the very best of his ability, using the Pose running technique. In ballet, or martial arts, one requires practice of technique. The same is true of running. Unless you are one of the lucky ones, like Haile Gebrselassie, Steve Prefontaine, or Michael Johnson, who were born with the perfect technique, you have to learn it. Until Dr Romanov's discovery there was no coherent theory on the subject. Running was practiced, but not taught as a skill. The Pose Method proposes to teach running as a skill with its own theory, concepts, and exercises.

Like any brilliant idea, the idea behind the Pose Method is simple. Every movement is built on an infinite number of poses, or positions, through which the body goes in space and time. In running, Dr. Romanov focuses on only one pose, which he calls the Running Pose. It is a whole body position, with vertically aligned shoulders, hips and ankles that creates an S-like shape of the body. The runner then changes the pose from one leg to the other allowing gravity to draw him forward. This creates forward movement, with the least energy cost, and the least effort. The end result is faster race times, easier running and no more injuries!

Many have been asking for this book and are awaiting it eagerly. USA and British Triathlon teams have been working with Dr. Romanov with great success. Scientific research on the Pose Method effects on runners was conducted at the USA Olympic Training Center (Colorado Springs) in 1997, at Florida Atlantic University (Boca Raton, FL) in 1998-2001, at Sheffield Hallam University (Great Britain) in 2001, at Kubansky State University (Krasnodar, Russia) in 2002, and at Cape Town University (South Africa) in 2002 with Tim Noakes, author of the Lore Of Running, the runner,s bible. The results of the last research are very impressive. The load on knee joints is reduced 30%, the incidence of other injuries is drastically diminished. The method allows the athletes to run easier, faster, longer, and most significantly, injury free. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (39)

getting running with out injury
Well I finally purchased this book after hearing time an time again, I didn't run right. So with this book an video camera I was able to go from a 23 min 3 mile time to an 19 min, with no pain, no injury. That alone make it worth it. Pair this with a pair of INOV-8 230's and you will be amazed.

Romanov's Running Method
The best book on running I ever read.Dr Romanov breaks down the running method and explains how the great runner's run.It is a must read for anyone interested in running and reducing injuries.

Improved my hiking and time
Although this method is designed for running, it vastly improved my hiking, walking pace and time.It really helped with knee stress and has led to improved aerobic ability.I am slowly getting back to running because of the Pose Method.I first heard about this from a friend who is a marathoner.It is amazing what just a few technique changes can produce.

Very useful book!
I like this book; i just knew the Pose Method but i found a lot more useful info inside!
Attilio, a proud Pose Runner from Italy.

Pose method of Running.
The book was shipped quickly arrived in good shape. I'm still working my way through it though. I did learn I was doing some of the drills the wrong way and my running has improved already. Still a ways to go. ... Read more

Product Description

Five Things You Should Know About HTML5
by Mark Pilgrim

1. It’s not one big thing. You may well ask: “How can I start using HTML5 if older browsers don’t support it?” But the question itself is misleading. HTML5 is not one big thing; it is a collection of individual features. So you can’t detect “HTML5 support,” because that doesn’t make any sense. But you can detect support for individual features, like canvas, video, or geolocation.

You may think of HTML as tags and angle brackets. That’s an important part of it, but it’s not the whole story. The HTML5 specification also defines how those angle brackets interact with JavaScript, through the Document Object Model (DOM). HTML5 doesn’t just define video tag; there is also a corresponding DOM API for video objects in the DOM. You can use this API to detect support for different video formats, play a video, pause, mute audio, track how much of the video has been downloaded, and everything else you need to build a rich user experience around the video tag itself.

Chapter 2 and Appendix A will teach you how to properly detect support for each new HTML5 feature.

2. You don’t need to throw anything away. Love it or hate it, you can’t deny that HTML 4 is the most successful markup format ever. HTML5 builds on that success. You don’t need to throw away your existing markup. You don’t need to relearn things you already know. If your web application worked yesterday in HTML 4, it will still work today in HTML5. Period.

Now, if you want to improve your web applications, you’ve come to the right place. Here’s a concrete example: HTML5 supports all the form controls from HTML 4, but it also includes new input controls. Some of these are long-overdue additions like sliders and date pickers; others are more subtle. For example, the email input type looks just like a text box, but mobile browsers will customize their onscreen keyboard to make it easier to type email addresses. Older browsers that don’t support the email input type will treat it as a regular text field, and the form still works with no markup changes or scripting hacks. This means you can start improving your web forms today, even if some of your visitors are stuck on IE 6.

Read all the gory details about HTML5 forms in Chapter 9.

3. It’s easy to get started. “Upgrading” to HTML5 can be as simple as changing your doctype. The doctype should already be on the first line of every HTML page. Previous versions of HTML defined a lot of doctypes, and choosing the right one could be tricky. In HTML5, there is only one doctype: !DOCTYPE html

Upgrading to the HTML5 doctype won’t break your existing markup, because all the tags defined in HTML 4 are still supported in HTML5. But it will allow you to use -- and validate -- new semantic elements like article, section, header, and footer. You’ll learn all about these new elements in Chapter 3.

4. It already works Whether you want to draw on a canvas, play video, design better forms, or build web applications that work offline, you’ll find that HTML5 is already well-supported. Firefox, Safari, Chrome, Opera, and mobile browsers already support canvas (Chapter 4), video (Chapter 5), geolocation (Chapter 6), local storage (Chapter 7), and more. Google already supports microdata annotations (Chapter 10). Even Microsoft -- rarely known for blazing the trail of standards support -- will be supporting most HTML5 features in the upcoming Internet Explorer 9.

Each chapter of this book includes the all-too-familiar browser compatibility charts. But more importantly, each chapter includes a frank discussion of your options if you need to support older browsers. HTML5 features like geolocation (Chapter 6) and video (Chapter 5) were first provided by browser plugins like Gears or Flash. Other features, like canvas (Chapter 4), can be emulated entirely in JavaScript. This book will teach you how to target the native features of modern browsers, without leaving older browsers behind.

5. It’s here to stay. Tim Berners-Lee invented the world wide web in the early 1990s. He later founded the W3C to act as a steward of web standards, which the organization has done for more than 15 years. Here is what the W3C had to say about the future of web standards, in July 2009:

Today the Director announces that when the XHTML 2 Working Group charter expires as scheduled at the end of 2009, the charter will not be renewed. By doing so, and by increasing resources in the HTML Working Group, W3C hopes to accelerate the progress of HTML5 and clarify W3C’s position regarding the future of HTML.

HTML5 is here to stay. Let’s dive in. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (29)

Is it too early to start understanding HTML5? No, the sooner, the better
Is it too early to start adopting HTML5? Most likely yes.
Is it too early to start understanding HTML5? No, the sooner, the better.
Does the author spend too much time talking about video codecs? Yes, the discussion is too off-topic considering the book's goal.
Are there too many examples in the microdata chapter? Yes, and I don't understand why, a few pages in that chapter are just redundant.
Is Pilgrim an author you enjoy reading? Yes, definitely.
Is it worth picking this book to get a feeling of what HTML5 looks like? Sure, go for it, you will not regret.
Since specifications and browsers evolves, is this book going to be outdated? Not very soon, but later on it will.

Short, but a good overview
As someone who's reasonably familiar with earlier versions of HTML, but was not at all familiar with HTML5, I used the online version of this book (and later the printed version) to get up to speed. While the book doesn't go into great detail on anything, it gives a good overview of the new features in HTML5, which major browsers support each feature, and workarounds for the ones that don't. This is NOT a book on HTML, but on the new things in HTML5; don't expect a "how to build a website" primer here!

The book starts off with a brief history of HTML, then dives in to the new features. Chapter two is all about detecting which features of HTML5 the user's browser supports; this will be particularly important for the next few years as compatibility improves. Chapter 3 discusses the new semantic elements and markup; this is probably my favorite part of HTML5 as it makes it much easier to just type everything by hand without making a mistake.

The next few chapters discuss using the canvas tag (to draw on the screen) and the new video and audio elements, followed by the geolocation options. As someone who hasn't done much with HTML forms lately (but needs to) I really enjoyed chapter 9, which shows the new form elements and discusses how they degrade gracefully on older browsers. I wasn't that interested in the final chapter, on microdata, but it's good to know it's out there.

Overall, I enjoyed the book; it's a quick read and a good introduction to what's available; while I'm more likely to Google a particular element for more information, at least now I know what's out there.

Disclosure: I received a free review copy of this book; my full review is available at vulcanears.com.

try before you buy
"HTML 5 Up and Running" is the print version of the book posted at diveintohtml5.org.It covers the new features in HTML 5 along with which browsers support what (and how to do feature detection.)It's a concise book at 205 pages and sells for just under $20 dollars.

At the moment, the content is current.This may or may not change depending on how faithfully the browsers implement the spec.

I bought the book for two reasons:
1) I read the HTML version in it's entirety and wanted to support the author.
2) I like reading books away from the computer and scribbling it them.

Before buying the book, check out the website and see what you think for yourself.For me, it was buy.

HTML5: Thin and limping
As other reviewers have noted, HTML5 is an emerging set of standards at the frontier of the web.Only the most well-heeled of developers want to work on such frontiers, but many people want to know what is coming and how to prepare for it.HTML5's advantages include plugin-free support of video, some new form elements, local storage beyond cookies, geolocation, and the new canvas element that most versions of internet explorer don't support.Someday, perhaps a decade or so in the future, these elements will be widely supported and developers won't have to write two versions of their web pages: one for html5 and one for html4.But it will take a LONG time for all of those people still running XP or Windows 2000 or older versions of the Mac to get there.

My main interest in HTML5 arises because the iPhone and iPad don't support either flash or java.Flash is often used for video, but that can be done via QuickTime and WindowsMedia and I've never needed flash for video.Flash can also produce elaborate simulations or games that interact with users and are not video based.So can Java.But both are excluded on the iOS operating system.The only alternative for web developers is the canvas element in HTML5.Pilgrim gives this important element only basic coverage: He shows how to draw a static graph (including axes and labeled points).He shows how to add images, and creates a simple mouse-driven game.But he does not show the full code for the game -- you have to go online to access that.This is the simplest form of interaction and Pilgrim does not cover anything more advanced.I have no idea if the canvas is double-buffered or if we have to do that somehow in our code, for example.Also left out is any mention of animating a canvas over time.Most of what Pilgrim does with the canvas element could be done with static gifs: The game he implements would be EASIER using html4 with tables.

Pilgrim does present a useful discussion of different video codecs in HTML5 and the challenge of working in this developing world.I have been using H.264 recently because I thought it was an open standard and is available on the iPhone and iPad.However, Pilgrim makes it clear that if I ever "go commercial" with my work, I'll have to pay some serious royalties to the patent owners for the next 20 years or so.The WebM and Theora+Ogg systems don't require any royalty payments, but neither do they work on the iPhone or iPad.(Making advanced material available on the iOS within the web is a tremendous challenge for developers these days!)

In his discussion of the new semantic tags, Pilgrim didn't bother with even a single screenshot of the resulting web page, nor did he contrast different HTML4/HTML5 alternatives.More detail is apparently available in the online version, but that presents its own set of challenges: The online edition is only free for 45 days.After that, you have to buy a subscription.

The publisher for this book is O'Reilly, one of my favorite publishers of computer books.But the cover also states "Google (tm) Press."I felt the ghostly fingers of Google (tm) running through the book.I certainly like the company, but I found the emphasis and the tone to be quite favorable to my favorite search engine -- not as unbiased and objective as I felt it should be.

In summary: The coverage of new features is thin, especially with the canvas element.Helpful illustrations are missing (though available for a short time in the online edition).Code is missing (though available free for a short time in the online edition).The alpine chamois on the cover should have been drawn in a more gaunt form and perhaps with a cast on a leg or two: HTML5 is not up and running, it is thin and limping.

The subtitle says it all:"Up and Running"
I read an draft of this book before it went to press and have to say that I was very impressed.Mark Pilgrim's writing style is well-researched, organized, pragmatic, and easy on the eyes.It makes for a pleasant read.

His approach will give you a thorough grounding in HTML 5.Other books will go in to how to achieve specific effects or may spec-out every tag and element in gory detail, but Mark Pilgrim's text lays the foundation for the deep understanding of what makes HTML 5 different.

This book doesn't take long to read and it gives an excellent return on the time invested.I recommend it as the best way to get "up and running". ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (6)

A new approach that makes good sense
I've been running off and on since high school but only within the last 5 years started to run long distances(marathon).Now in my 5th decade, and having completed 5 marathons in the last four years, I've been searching and experimenting with different approaches to "training up".Most of the books I've read have strict training programs that seem to just wear me out.So I find this book to be refreshingly different.Wow, I can actually go by how I feel rather than "got to get in that 20 miler today" or "got to meet my target of 55 miles this week". I now refer to my "adaptive" running schedule rather than "training" schedule. That's what it's really all about, adapting the body to new levels of running performance & not beating it up.I will use this approach in my quest to BQ this coming year.
Great insightful book with a lot of common sense once you understand the mind/body connection to running.Thanks Matt!Will buy two more copies for my running friends.

Probably the last book you need to read
I am a 150 lbs, 58 year old, 5K runner. I changed my running by reading Danny Dreyer's Chi Running, found my training method by David Holt's 10K & 5K Running, Training & Racing. These helped me a lot, but still I was not able to get the pleasure and comfort in my 4 weekly runs. Matt's book RUN gave me what I needed most; the real insight in running. It is definitely the last book I needed to read.
I recommend RUN for anybody running, she or he will attain the best understanding how to gain from pleasure, I did! My Long Slow Distance running is now taking significant less effort at the last 20% of it. The day after I do twice the normal distance of my hilltraining, I NEVER felt better! Thank you Matt for writing RUN.

Sean, "there is no run without a purpose"

Amazing book
One of the best books about running I have ever read. A lot of interesting topics, some good expamles of body-mind trainig and stories about training and life of elite runners. Veru helpful. I recommande it for every serious runners and coaches too.

Run: The Mind Body Method of Running by Feel
Prior to reading this book I followed purchased training plans but never stayed on track.This book explains quite well the bases for improvising the training plan by feel for better performance.I found the discussion of mind-body connection insightful and easy to read for a hobby runner like myself.

philosophy meets physiology meets neurophysiology
I enjoy Matt's writing and his insights into different approaches to running. 'Run' looks at running as a brain driven and controlled activity. Matt combines the latest research in brain development with the 'coal face' action of coaches and elite athletes to provide a new approach to training. You essentially teach your brain that it's ok to run fast and to run far. Matt shows that it's brain activity that governs endurance and speed limits. He then takes you through the key research findings from the lab and also the training track to explain how and when the brain controls your running limits. But best of all, Matt provides the insights to enable you to find the best methods that work for you, to raise your performance - by working with the brain's physiology and how it likes to work best.

You won't find prescriptive training schedules but you will be able to develop, through your own intuition, the best training approach for you. Matt's book helps you do this.

Great book and an excellent read after Brain Training for Runners ... Read more

Product Description
A consistent program of running or walking is the fastest, easiest, and least expensive road to overall fitness and well-being for women and men at any age.For women over forty it can be the key to the most fulfilling years life has in store.

Katherine Switzer, a pioneer in women's fitness since 1967, when she became the first woman to officially enter the Boston Marathon is once again blazing a trail with the very first running and walking program designed specifically for women over forty.Now every woman can benefit from Katherine's highly personal, motivational, and step-by-step advice.

"For women beginning fitness programs at age forty, fifty, and beyond, the results can be nothing short of dramatic.For the first time they are reaching the body weight and physical conditioning they've always dreamed of.Women who have been reasonably active off their lives can also firnd a new and exciting road of fitness ahead of them after age forty.Some even find themselves outrunning women half their age!" --Katherine Switzer
... Read more

Customer Reviews (14)

Kathrine Switzer is my heroine.
The subtitle--"The Road to Sanity and Vanity"--says it all. Switzer (the first woman to officially run the Boston Marathon in 1967) is a role model for anyone who, like myself, wonders if she can start race-walking or even running in her forties and beyond. Switzer's unequivocal answer: Yes, you can! And she tells you how to do it. The book has easy instructions for beginners, insider information ("Real runners talk about their mileage in terms of weekly, not daily mileage"), and everything you need to know about shoes, clothing, training programs, stretching, and more. Reading this book made me want to lace up my sneaks and get right out there--and I did! I'm following Switzer's program to become a 30-minute runner in 10 weeks and it's going great. (Check my progress on my blogs on [..]and [...].) Viva Switz!

Running and Walking for Women Over 40
Loved it!!!!Suggested many different things for older people when starting out walking or running.

Good informative book
I found this book to be a very easy read, but filled with very useful information.I had been doing some walking outside and some running on a treadmill for awhile but never really started running outside or for any long distances.This book started me to, there were many questions that I found answers to, finding the right shoes, good stretches to do afterwards, training plans.All in all a good book for the beginner.

A MUST FOR WOMEN OVER 50!!!!!!
I have purchased MANY books on running but never found one that inspired me like this one.I am not an all out athlete but love to run because of the way it makes me feel. This book really talks about women of age and what to expect from walking and running. I am 53 and thought if I run to much I could really injury myself. After reading the book I have a whole different outlook and just let myself go and I've never felt soooo good. You will not regret buying this book.

Good for the beginner
If you are just getting into or thinking about a walking/running program this book is for you.If you have been doing both for some time, its a great read, just beyond where you are at in your program. I have given this book to my sister who has just turned 40 and she loved it. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (30)

Get Running !
Good information for newbies as well as those that have been around the block once or twice.

Complete Book of Running
This book is a complete set of guidelines for all those interested in running for any reason.The information is presented in an easy to understand format which is helping me reach my fitness goals.

Love Amby Burfoot!
So I'm not a marathon runner. I run for fitness and because I enjoy it. The RW books edited by Amby Burfoot never disappoint me when I'm looking for information at different stages of my running career. This book provides concise information regarding issues we as runners are concerned about and I know that any of the topics can be more thoroughly researched - If I choose to - by going to the RW website.

Great Informative Book
This is a very useful book for beginners or for people that have been running for a while.There is a lot of information on every aspect of running...and more!I like how it is organized into sections and select information is easy to find.There is a helpful table of contents and index.All of my questions about running or that I've had while training have been answer in this book.Worth the money.

All kinds of Information
I bought this book to help me with my running technique. I never realized there was so much stretching excerises, running foods, sports drinks, and all the different ways to make running more enjoyable that you learn from this book.
Highly recommended ... Read more

Product Description

Running to the limits of human -endurance.

For those who find the 26.2-mile marathon just not enough, there is the ultramarathon. What makes ultrarunners tick?What goes through their minds at mile 93? How can you train for such a colossal undertaking? These questions and many more are answered in Running Through the Wall, an inspiring collection of 39 personal stories from ultramarathoners.Ultramarathoning is the logical next step for those who burn with a desire to explore their limits, and beyond. It is impossible to run distances of 30, 50, or even 100 miles without coming away with at least one fascinating story. This book is full of them. There are stories of fatigue, blisters, nausea, and despair. But the ultrarunner prevails to find hope, love, healing, self-discovery, friendship, selflessness, and in the end, for most, triumph. Learn what it feels like to run an ultra from the champions, the newcomers, and the veterans of the sport.

Customer Reviews (30)

Inspirational Read
I book this book because I was interested in learning more about ultra-distance running.I was not disappointed!The book is a series of short stories from runners of varied abilities and skills.I learned a lot about the mental and physical aspects of endurance running.The stories in this book has motivated me to try a few ultra and trail events recently and I plan on doing more in the future.If you are new to the sport, you can learn a lot from this book.

Fantastic inspiration.
In my current obsession with researching ultrarunning, having only discovered it existed a couple of months ago, this book has been one of the most inspirational. It's the personal accounts of real people - from elite athletes to Jo Average - sharing their own personal experiences of running 100 mile events, that somehow makes me believe I could do this too.

It's a book for people who want to get a little insider glimpse of what ultrarunning might be like, the high points and the VERY low points, what it means to the people who do it, why they keep going back for more. And for me, it's another little seed of possibility planted in my brain, of a new passion in my not too distant future.

Inspiring
Inspiring. Easy to read. Will make you want to lace up and get out and run. Doesn't make the sport sound glamorous but gives a true picture of the physical and mental challenges and rewards of ultra running.

Great read for runners of any distance
Definitlely recommended.One of the better inspirational running books I've read.Quick, short reading of each runners' contribution.My #2 running book behind Karnazes' UltraMarathon Man.

A bunch of running blog posts on paper
The title says it all.Nothing special to read here.I wish I had borrowed someone's copy rather than spend the money. ... Read more

Product Description
In his new release, Running Scared, Edward T.Welch investigates the roots of fear in the human soul and the ramifications of living in the grips of anxiety, worry, and dread. Welch encourages readers to discover for themselves that the Bible is full of beautiful words of comfort for fearful people (and that every single person is afraid of something). Within the framework of thirty topical meditations, Welch offers sound biblical theology and moment-by-moment, thoughtful encouragement for life-saving rescue in the midst of the heart and mind battlefield of rampant panic-stricken responses.This comprehensive primer on the topic of fear, worry, and the rest of God will have readers retreating to scripture for invariable constancy, stalwart care, and robust comfort, instead of as Welch terms it hitting the default switch by responding with characteristic human independence, control, and self-protectiveness. Running Scared affirms that, through Scripture, God speaks directly to our fears: On money and possessionsOn people and their judgmentsOn death, pain, and punishment Welch's lively text provides convincing evidences that humanity's struggle against active and dormant fears are countless. The good news is that God provides both the remedy and the cure for this malady in the person of Jesus Christ, the work of the Holy Spirit, and through powerful, life-altering promises in Scripture. Far more than merely another psychologyself-helpguide, Running Scared serves as a biblical roadmap to a life of serenity and security. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

I'm Afraid You Need to Buy This Book
Some people know that they have fear. Others are afraid to admit it. In this primer on fear, worry, and the God of rest Ed Welch invites us on a biblical journey to face our fears. He begins with initial observations on fear. In order to let God speak to our fear we have to discover exactly how we are afraid, as well as admit that our fear says more about our belief in God than about the fear itself. In the second section of the book (which is comprises 4/5 of the book) Welch "let's God speak" to our fear. He begins by laying a biblical foundation from the story of the Israelites and Manna. His point is simple--God gives us enough grace for each day, but only enough for each day. You will get more grace for tomorrow but only until tomorrow. After laying a solid foundation Welch then invites us to hear what God has to say about some of the big "fears" we face. He addresses money and possession; people and their judgments; death, pain, and punishment. He closes out the book by letting God speak peace to us. Also, after every chapter Welch offers a personal response to what has been discussed.

What I Liked:

Welch's writing style is soothing and attractive. He writes almost like you are the listener and he is telling you about all of his fears and worries. This book is written as if you are listening to a man wrestling with his own struggle. As you hear his advice to himself you begin applying that advice to yourself. On such a potentially confronting and threatening topic our author writes in a loving and non-threatening way. Even when he exhorts us it still feels like a man exhorting himself.

The principles that are outlined in this book are phenomenal. The chapter on The Manna Principle is worth the cost of the book. Here is an excerpt that has stuck with me, and one I have used to conquer fear and worry in my own life:

"God will give us what we need for today and today alone...The plan, of course, is genius. Dump a year's supply of manna into cold storage and, guaranteed, you will forget God until the supply disappears (Dt. 8:10-14)...God's strategy is to give us enough for today and then, when tomorrow comes, to give us enough for that day too." (76, 77)

What I Disliked:

I think this book should be about 220 pages rather than 320 pages. A few chapters seem to be a tad redundant. Perhaps we need to hear these principles over and over again and that is why Welch revisits certain points so frequently. Even with that being said the book certainly does not feel like 320 pages long. It reads relatively quickly, I think I just got a tad tired towards the end. It's a great book that needs to be read by all.

Running Scared
I got this book last year - I read it slowly and when ever I am tempted to fear and doubt the Lord.It has been a wonderful ministry to me in this weak area and I have purchased it for others also.

Excellent resource for worry and anxiety
I highly recommend this book for those who are struggling with worry and anxiety, from chronic anxiety to those who are worrying about given situations in life. The book is in essence a biblical theology of fear that is very application-oriented. It is an especially good resource for ministers and other leaders who deal with people in counseling situations. It also has excellent applications for preaching, because it is so saturated with Scripture (not just proof texts, but sustained reflection on Scripture that touches the intellect, emotions, and behavior). I can think of no other book that I would recommend more highly on this topic.

Excellent christian counseling for anxiety
I have read many, many books on anxiety and this is one of the best, on par with Elyse Fitzpatrick's Overcoming Fear, Worry and Anxiety. My favorite line is "Worriers are false prophets." I recommend it to my patients and friends.

Counsel for the Fearful
Like all of Ed Welch's books, Running Scared is a helpful book for ordinary people who struggle with ordinary sins. Scripture-laden and down-to-earth, this expose on fear, worry, and anxiety addresses our souls with the living and active word of the Living God.

Welch writes in an easy, conversational style, weaving Scripture, personal stories, and thoughtful heart-oriented application into the tapestry of his book. The thirty chapters are short enough to read several in one sitting. The last two thirds of the book helpfully divides into four sections addressing three categories of fear: (1) money and possessions; (2) people and their judgments; (3) death, pain and punishment; then finally, peace with God. This last section may be my favorite, as Welch helpfully unfolds several biblical themes (such as covenant, shalom, and peacemaking) with a view to helping us deal with our fears.

Running Scared will be helpful for several groups of people: (1) those with anxiety disorders or pathological fears; (2) people struggling with everyday, garden-variety worry; (3) psychologistis, pastors, and both professional and lay counselors who are trying to help people work through their fears. I found the book helpful in both personal and pastoral ways and highly recommend it to others. ... Read more

Product Description
Ten years after graduation, Jake "the jock" Campbell and Brandon "the nerd" Bartlett are teaching at their old high school and still living in separate worlds. When Brandon is thrown into a coaching job on Jake's baseball team, they find themselves learning more about each other than they'd ever expected. High school is all about image - even for the teachers. Brandon and Jake have to get past their preconceived notions to find the friendship needed to work together. And somewhere along the way, they discover that perceptions can always change for the better.Read a full chapter excerpt at www.dreamspinnerpress.com ... Read more

Customer Reviews (29)

Wonderful romance
Well-written romance with great characters. I love that the relationship develops over a few months instead of having them fall into bed immediately. The first kiss is so good even though they both wonder whether they'll get punched in the face by the other. Lots of good dialogue makes this a very enjoyable read.

One of my favourite m/m romances
What a great book. Engaging and appealing characters. The "jock/nerd" relationship is done perfectly. Wonderful romance and great sex scenes. Highly recommend it.

"Caught Running" caught my heart!
I bought "Caught Running" with a bit of trepidation stemming from some comments I heard in the other reviews, but what I found was a thoroughly enjoyable and engrossing novel with complex and nicely-nuanced characters.

Jake Campbell was a former star athlete through high school and into college until the sad day when it was realized they worked him too hard and he now had too many injuries and pain to continue as a player. Brandon Bartlett was one of the intellectuals (nerds) in the same high school that Jake went to. Though Jake never bothered Brandon when they were in school, he was well aware of the taunting and derision that Brandon endured. Both now teach at their old high school; Brandon in science and biology, Jake in phys ed and health. Jake's also the head coach for many of the varsity teams, and one day, when there were a shortage of coaches, Brandon is told he would have to help coach baseball. Brandon's a well-known science "nerd", and the other coaches have reservations, but Brandon has such a love of working with students, they soon realize he's a pretty good coach and is a great help to all. Forced to work together, both Jake and Brandon each start feeling strong physical attraction to the other to the point of distraction. Both are gay, both keep it in the closet, and each thinks the other is straight. Until one morning when the attraction can't be denied any further....

What I particularly enjoyed about this book was that it took its time to develop the characters and their situation before jumping into the romance. All characters (even secondary ones) are nicely nuanced, with their own distinct personality traits. The strong writing skills let you easily envision the characters and situations and helps the various settings and circumstances seem real. The authors wisely let you get to know their characters first, and grow comfortable with them, before the more intense emotions are explored.

Another strong point is that both main characters are examined in just about equal detail. During several scenes in the story, the writers switch you back and forth between the feelings and thoughts of each character so that you can see both sides of their relationship. For example, a scene may be an interaction between Jake and Brandon. At first, focus is on Jake as you gain access to his thoughts and feelings as he views Brandon and tries to determine what Brandon is feeling. But then you switch to Brandon and then realize what his thoughts are feelings are, and are privy to how he's trying to interpret Jake's expressions and actions. Their interpretations of each other are not always accurate, and that adds a bit of friction into their relationship and heat into the story.

The pacing of the book is very good. It engages you quickly and moves quickly enough to keep the story interesting, but not so quickly that the characters aren't given enough time to develop. The first half of the book is the buildup to the eventual expression of Jake's and Brandon'sphysical attraction, and the second half of the book becomes much more sexually charged, while still maintaining a good pace. If there's any flaw in the book, it's towards the end with a minor attempt to build suspense. The event seems a little out of place in that the reader doesn't perceive it as a real threat to the characters, making the event unnecessary. Still, it passes quickly and the book quickly sails to a grin-inducing ending.

To me, the best part of the book was that when it ended, I felt like the characters were real. It's always a testament to the author when you wish you could meet the characters in his or her book, and I did very much want to meet Jake and Brandon, and even Troy (a very fun secondary character).

Great Book--Major Plot Hole
Jake and Brandon are wonderfully written and their story is incredibly engaging. That said, although the writers engaged in some rather heavy handed foreshadowing for the eventual "outing" of the coaches' relationship, they took the coward's way out in ending the book before that actually happened. My other complaint rests in the Troy and Jonathan characters. These two say and do things that *no* straight man would ever say or do. For a good part of the book, I was wondering when Troy's unrequited love for Jake was going to be exposed--he's that "straight". Even with those major, major flaws, though, I found the story of "the science teacher" (a too-often repeated phrase!) and the baseball coach to be extremely enjoyable, especially in those scenes that concentrated on Jake's twisted sense of humor. Buy it. Read it. But don't be surprised to find yourself utterly unfulfilled by the ending.

Quickly Becoming one of my Gay Favorites
Caught Running tells the story of Brandon and Jake--two high school teachers in an Atlanta suburb.Jake is the tough guy baseball coach, and Brandon is the nerdy biology teacher turned assistant coach.Throughout the course of the book, Brandon and Jake develop a friendship that turns into something much more.

What keeps me reading this book again and again is how utterly realistic the story is.These guys are very well developed characters, and the situations that set things into motion are plausible.The progression is organic and natural.It works.

I finish this book wanting more.

Read it.You'll love it. ... Read more

Product Description
Drug dealer? Hooker? Blackmailer? Kenna Jones was the last person to have contact with a murdered federal informant and DEA Agent Drake March goes undercover during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally to find out just what her relationship to the dead man was. One problem--from the moment Drake encounters the gorgeous, hot-tempered chameleon--he doesn't trust her--or his immediate attraction to her.

Kenna's situation can't get worse. Posing as arm candy for rich bikers is a humiliating way to earn tuition. But the financially strapped grad student has no choice. And it appears too-sexy for his badge Agent Drake March isn't giving her a choice either. He threatens to have her arrested if she refuses to cooperate in his investigation.

But bullets fly and Kenna's life is in danger from an unknown threat. Drake's protective instincts kick in when he realizes sweet Kenna is innocent--and in far over her head.

Lust, fear and desire make for a volatile combination in the hedonistic atmosphere, leading Drake and Kenna into taking a dangerous ride on the wild side--with explosive results.

With their lives at stake, will they learn to trust each other before it's too late?

Or will the devil come calling and finally get his due? ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Sizzling HOT!
OMG, this was a seriously hot read! Ms. James sure knows how to write steamy love scenes, and I'll never look at a motorcycle the same way I used to do before I read this book... ;)

I'm not going to give a plot summary here because the book description available on GR does the job pretty well. The story had a good setup and the mystery/suspense part was interesting, even though I guessed who the villain was pretty easily - that's what happens when you have very few secondary characters. There were some gripping moments when Drake had to stand aside and let Kenna be mauled by some bad guys, and I really related to her "discomfort" - to put it mildly. I understood his need to keep his cover but Kenna wasn't an undercover agent, so I almost hated him for having forced her into that situation. Anyway, she made him see "the errors of his way" and they had the most sizzling make-up sex on a motorcycle... Oh boy, what a ride! *fans herself*

Drake was one hot DEA agent who had never had problems focusing on the job to be done - until he met Kenna... What I loved about him was, he wasn't a sex machine who lived his life fooling around. Granted, he enjoyed a healthy sex life as much as the next guy, but he wasn't like the popular manwhore in Romancelandia who only decides to redeem himself after he finds "the one". Kenna was sexy and funny at first, but the more I knew her, the more she grated on my nerves. I'd like to say that she was too naïve but, truth be told, she came across as a bit stupid to me. Come on, did she really think an escort service that provided only escort services was for real? Sorry but that was too far-fetched to buy.

Overall, I enjoyed Ms. James' writing and I had a great time reading this book - the sexual tension between Drake and Kenna was great and that's what I want to see when I read a romantica story. This was my 1st book by this author but it won't be my last.

Running with the Devil
There was alot of suspense in this book, trying to figure out who the villian was.It had good hot sex and kept you reading.Hard to put down.

Hot and Steamy
I love Lorelei James and this is one of her best books. The scenes are so steamy you have to stop and fan yourself. This book is not for the people who buy a book and skip over the sex scenes or you will be skipping over most of the book. However this is also not one of those books that have only sex and no story line. The book grabbed me on the first page and kept me till the end. A must read if you are into erotica with a good story.

Running With The Devil
I generally like books by Lorelei James, but this book fell short for me.

Drake March is a very strong sexy undercover DEA agent trying to bring down a ring of drug dealers.Kenna Jones agrees to be an escort for Drake recommended by her cleint last year, Jerry. Kenna met Jerry a year ago while she was escorting him around Sturgis.The information and details were very well written.The author either did some very detailed research or spent some time in the Sturgis area.

Drake and Kenna have good overall chemistry and good sensual chemistry, but what lowered my rating on this book was Kenna's lack of brains and common sense.I don't enjoy reading about a main character that is so gullible and stupid.

Scarlet from Romance Junkies
A fast paced, erotic adventure straight out of the movies, RUNNING WITH THE DEVIL is an edgy thriller of mistaken impressions and undercover lovers.Drake and Kenna are a perfect match in every way.They are passionate, opinionated, cynical and intelligent.He is a cynical undercover agent who tends to believe the worst of people while she has a serious trust problem as well.It is an action packed journey with numerous twists and turns to solving the murder and finding love.The emotional connection is poignant and the sexual chemistry is volatile.The secondary cast is a well rounded group indicative of a traditional Sturgis Bike Rally.One wonders if author Lorelei James visited there on more than one occasion.All in all, RUNNING WITH THE DEVIL is well worth the time and money invested.If you like suspense and passion, you will love this one. ... Read more

Product Description
For both runners entering that first neighborhood race and elite marathoners, trainers Bob and Shelly-lynn Florence Glover's completely revised guide is the book on training to compete. A book that's already sold close to 200,000 copies, The Competitive Runner's Handbook will now offer all the latest information needed to design basic training programs; special workouts to increase strength, endurance, and power; schedules and worksheets to develop individual goals; and specifics on preparing for all kinds of races--with an emphasis on the 10K and the marathon.

Informed by their over thirty years of coaching experience, the Glovers give winning tips on alternative training, footwear and diet, and common injuries and illnesses, as well as sensible advice on balancing running with work and home life.Amazon.com Review
"Competitive running gives your running life afocus. Competition measures progress. You set a goal and accomplishit." Bob Glover and Shelly-lynn Florence Glover, authors of TheCompetitive Runner's Handbook, know what they're talkingabout. Bob has run competitively for nearly 40 years, coached for 30years, and completed more than 30 marathons, while Shelly-lynn hasraced for more than 20 years and is an exercise physiologist with amaster's degree from Columbia University. They've coauthored severalbooks on running. Clocking in at over 600 pages, The Handbookcovers basic training techniques, gives tips on speed training, andoutlines regimens for specific races: short, 5K, 10K, half-marathon,and marathon. There are also sections on motivation and the mentalaspects of competitive running, proper running form, nutrition,dealing with illness and injury, and more. In addition, the bookincludes many helpful charts. Straightforward and authoritative, thisis a comprehensive reference guide that's suited to runners of alllevels. --Andy Boynton ... Read more

Customer Reviews (55)

Running book
Very good book that came highly recommeneded and has proven to be a wonderful book of knowledge.

Turned me off to running
The handbook does what it says, and provides an enormous amount of information, analysis, recommendations, and opinions. However, it's truly geared toward competitive runners.

As a recreational runner, my times don't even qualify me for the "novice" category, which is the lowest grouping in the book. I found it discouraging, even down to the section where it discusses genetics and body type, which suggests that people with certain body types cannot achieve success at the most competitive levels. I thought this mentality was archaic.

I enjoyed reading the biographical information about the authors and contributors, and also understanding more about the role of women in competitive running, and the progression of a couple significant running events in the US. Very cool.

For a truly competitve runner, this book is probably very well received, but in my case, I didn't appreciate it. I am still searching for a friend or colleague who could use it to improve his/her running, but I haven't found one yet who is competitive enough to benefit from it.

A fantastic 'running bible' - skip the normal Running Handbook and get this
I ran cross country in high school.While I was basically an average JV runner, I did manage to break 19:00 for the 5k once, which is pretty decent.I have kept running off and on since high school, and about 9 months ago I decided to train for my first race since I was 18 (I just turned 30).I remembered quite a bit from cross country, and have occasionally browsed through magazines like Runner's World over the past decade, so I was not a total beginner and still had some knowledge fresh in my mind.Still, I wanted an all-in-one reference, as opposed to constantly trying to find good info on the internet.

Following the recommendations of some runners I know, I bought this book.In my view, it's just about perfect, and it could be the only resource most runners would ever need.It strikes a great balance between being casual and fun to read, while still containing a healthy dose of the denser scientific stuff which is necessary for effective training and racing (lactate threshold, carbo-loading, etc.).There is very thorough coverage of the major kinds of speed training, hill training, long runs, and so on; great chapters on injury prevention/recovery, diet, mental training, and footwear; and specific chapters and training plans devoted to the major race distances from 5k to marathon (as the title states), and much more.You get the idea - this book covers pretty much every topic of running with good detail.I don't believe it says much about the latest fad, barefoot running, but training principals are significantly altered for that method compared to normal shoe running, so you'd probably want an entire book specifically devoted to it.

While I say that this might be all a typical runner would ever need (and that is true) I use it as my 'bible,' the resource I go to first and always return to, while still consulting other sources like magazines or other classic training guides such as those by Daniels and Galloway.As Bob Glover points out in an early chapter of this book, other training guides are neither right nor wrong, just a different application of the same training principals used by everyone.

In my review title, I suggest getting this book over the more beginner-oriented 'Runner's Handbook' by the same authors.I don't own that one, but I recently spent a good 15 minutes paging through it at the bookstore; this book contains basically all the same information, PLUS the more in-depth and advanced material.It's beneficial to read that stuff, and view the training plans that an elite athlete would use, just for the perspective, even if you're still a novice.With any luck this book will help you catch the running bug, and within several months or a year you'll need some more advanced advice - so just get this book and get it over with.

This is one of those books that is rare in any field - a well-written, extremely credible, thorough guide that basically has no drawbacks.Get it, you won't be sorry.

College text
I purchased this book for a college pt course training for the grandmas marathon. Good book and pretty funny too.

Great resource for all runners
My fiance has owned this book for awhile as he's been a runner since high school.This past summer I began training for my first ever half marathon, running distances longer than I'd ever run before, at least since high school.I spent my summer free time reading through this entire book, and what a great idea it was.I had wanted to actually learn about running while I was training, and I found the information to be incredibly useful.There are sections for each race length from 5K to marathon, with training schedules and pacing tips, as well as sections on hot and cold weather running, injuries, motivation, recovery, stretching, female runners, etc.It's a very complete book that I recommend to anyone who runs or is thinking about it. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (1)

A starting runner's best friend
Running is great exercise, fun, and can be the way to see some sights up close. "The Ultimate Guide to Trail Running: Everything You Need to Know About" is a complete and comprehensive guide for those who want to get into the hobby of trail running and want to be equipped with knowledge to keep it a safe and pleasant experience. From exercises to gear, "The Ultimate Guide to Trail Running" is a starting runner's best friend. ... Read more