I am a runner! And the book told me so.
I was looking for something to maybe improve my form, maybe help me go a little faster. I am a runner, but starting later than some and run on my own. And while a 7 mile run may sound far for some, I have greater goals. No Marathons yet but soon. I thought it a good idea to buy a few books and see if I could learn anything. Out of 4 books I bought, this one I really enjoyed and even made me feel more like getting out to run more than ever. I usually would get up early, but then work got in the way. This book got me out to run after work, and I felt great for doing it. I think this book is a great addition to any runners library, beginner or a little more advanced.
Great gift for a woman who likes the idea of running but is maybe unsure how to go about it.

Very informative and well written for a beginner like me, contains lot of useful information. I would recommend it to other beginners.

I was extremely disappointed in this book. It was marketed not only towards beginners but also seasoned runners. If you have been running for any amount of time, this book has very little to offer. If you are a beginner or just looking to start running, this book may be helpful. It seems to be written to help women feel motivated and empowered to run, but not as a training guide. This book does cover many topics, but does not go into any detail or provide supporting information. If you need help getting started, finding motivation, or just some general info then you may want to check this book out.

Considering the author is a former editor for Runner's World, I was surprised that in several places in the book she demeans the stereotypical female-runner body type saying that it is unattractive and not what women should aspire to attain. I have been an avid runner for 8 years and was slightly offended that a book on running would speak so negatively about having a thin physique, especially since I know many high-mileage runners that would like to gain weight but can't. Basically, if you already are, or want to get more serious about running, this book is not the appropriate resource.

Never received email or any contact from seller. Didn't know if they received my order, nor when i could expect it. Aside from that, product arrived in good shape and as described.

This book clearly lays out basic running information, of course. It also taught me some surprising and important things about biological differences in men and women that I haven't seen in other books. A good reference to women runners.

I purchased this book here as a guide to hopefully 're-learn' how to run, the mental part of the sport as well as the physical. I used to run 5Ks 10 years ago, and decided to start again, and hoped the book would help the emotional part of getting back into shape, and this time without the shinsplints and wrong shoes and diet that plagued my first foray into running. As a book written by a woman for women, I hoped that it might contain specific information and advice geared for the female body, and to that end, it does succeed.

While most of the writer's insights and advice are - yes - common sense, sometimes seeing it in writing makes it New again, so there I would give kudos to the writer. Her references to the many types of races, how to race with children, spouses, how to prepare for a race or how to train more efficiently are also helpful, as is the never-saw-it-like-THAT way that running can help the aging female body.

However, there is definite distinction made in this book between a Runner and a Jogger, and if you are the latter (as me), or cannot immediately go out and do 'and easy 5 Mile run', then this book might not exactly help in the 'help me at least get out and MOVE' area. She pretty much alludes that this is a book for RUNNERS. I run because I enjoy it, it is good for me, and it's a great way to stay in shape. I have no need to have a 'best time' for a mile, ten miles, marathon, etc. I'm competitive, but not to the point that I will dedicate my entire life to the next schedules race. Maybe I have the wrong attitude about it all, but it still seems rather elitist at times, which is a shame since interdisposed with all the running mantras are alot of really good advice points.

Even though this seems - to me, at least - to be a self-help book for women who want to run, really, unless you are either a former 10K+ runner or marathoner, or have the luxury of living in a safe area where you can run over hills and along stretches of roads (gee, kind of like the cover of the book), it reads as a 'welcome back' for the mid- and long-distance runner.

This book is good for beginning runners...not a lot of new info for those of us running a long time (and who read a lot about it.) It does have a decent section about running during pregnancy, which is why I bought it. Overall, worth reading if you are a woman and love running.

I bought this book on the recommendation of a friend. I can honestly say that it changed my life. It has everything a woman could need know about running. It got me from the point of not being able to run 5 minutes to running my first 1/2 marathon (and certainly could have gotten me to a marathon if I had any desire to run one). It has fantastic nutritional advice, great training plans, and advice for every situation a woman runner could find herself in.

The book is easy to read - I read it in a couple sittings the first time through, as thought it were a novel. The essays and stories are powerful and helpful. It is well edited and organized.

If you are a beginning runner, or if you have been running for year and you are looking for a new running guide, this book will be a great purchase. A number of friends have purchased it on my recommendation and they all say that it was a fantastic purchase.

This book was a birthday gift last year, and I loved every page (except for the few parts that don't quite pertain to me...running while pregnant, running during menopause). I have since recommended it to others and have given other copies as gifts. I even keep it handy as a reference material and resource.

The book is written in such a tone that it's very easy and enjoyable to read, and the author gives a ton of practical information for runners of every level -- from nutrition information to training schedules to advice about running with your dog.

The three areas I found most useful: 1) Nutrition information. I am 90% vegetarian, and I learned that my protein intake was far beneath what it needed to be in general, let alone for a runner. She provides recommendations/alternate food choices for vegetarians and just gives a lot of useful general nutrition info. (If you are a strict vegetarian and need a lot of diet information, you prob need another book. But if you want a good foundation, this will do it.) 2) Training schedules. She has everything from a 5k to a marathon, and she provides Gold, Silver and Bronze training schedules that allow you to choose the training program that fits your goals and time constraints. 3) History of women in running. I was fascinated (and horrified) to learn that women were not officially allowed to run marathons in the U.S. until the 70s, and the women's marathon didn't become an Olympic event until 1984.(It was considered bad for our reproductive organs. For the few women who did compete in marathons prior to the 70s, their times were not even recorded...not even for the woman who broke a world record in 1963.)

Overall, the book is an inspiring read while providing a wealth of practical information in an easy-to-read package. And the history of women in running chapter is prob just one of many reasons I decided to sign up for my first marathon for this fall.

In all respects, this book is a thoughtful and thorough reference piece for any new or experienced runner. After months of struggling with stomach pain after long runs, this book was the only one to offer me any sort of meaningful insights to the source and remedy for my stomach pain. I have shared this book with friends, who are new and old runners, and everyone that I have recommended this book to has appreciated the guidance and information detailed in the book.

I recently purchased this book for a friend and decided to get out my old copy to read again.

I forgot what a wealth of information it has. Everything from stretching to gear to training plans plus wonderful short articles by actual runners. It also has information specific to women's health and pregnancy.

If you are just starting out or don't consider yourself a runner, this book will inspire you. If you have been running for a while, this book can help you improve your PR or keep you motivated.

It has inspired me to get serious about running again and am looking forward to my first half-marathon later this year.

I am a 30 year old mother of 3 and I wanted to start running again. When I was younger (beore kids) I ran daily and I wanted to gradually buid up to where I was nearly 10 years ago!! A friend referred me to this book and I loved every morsel of information from cover to cover. Nothing is left out! Buy the book, read it, change your life. . .then run a marathon baby!!

I really like this book because it has so much great info. I keep refering back to it every few days and there's an answer for every question that I have had. Also, I read it cover to cover and picked up answers to questions that I would not have thought to ask. The layout of the book makes it very easy to find what you are looking for. Definitely a keeper!

This is a good book for beginning women runners. It has quite a bit of information, but not too much. The book is friendly/chatty. She tries to make running approachable for anyone. I even read parts of this book outloud to my husband. Good useful information. For most women who just want to take up running for fun, fitness, recreation this book will be sufficient. It has training plans for training for races, if you should choose to try racing. Also information about stretching, weight training and so on. However, if you decided to get "serious" about running and want to become competitive, you will outgrow this book. That's fine. It's a good stepping stone until you figure out what level you want to train at.

I have been running for about a year now but was getting discouraged so I picked this up at the library. It is an easy read and answers every question possible that you would have. This is a great reference guide, it gives information on how to buy shoes, strength building techniques, stretching exercises, to where various types of marathons are held as well as how to train for each level and type of marathon. I'm 38 and not sure if I really anticipate doing anything more than a 5K but I learned a ton through this book. I wish I would've had this a year ago.

This book helped me understand volumes about myself. Who knew really how different our running needs are!

This book is exceptional. An easy read and gives you everything you'd ever think you'd need to know (and more) about running for a beginner woman runner. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and after completing it, I felt 200% more prepared to actually start training for lightly competitive races and a further developing racing hobby/career.

This book is really amazing I just do not know where to start, so I will make long story short.

I would recommend this book to anyone who is a beginner, is already a runner, jogger or wants to improve thier fitness level, loose weight or do a marathon. I have never received such precise information all summed up it gives you great advice on:

How the body functions, while running
How to improve your technics depending what goal you would like to achieve,
Why you should wear certain clothes in order to feel comfortable while running
All the advantages and disadvantes of certain technis etc.
What nutrition you should eat in order to keep you level and so on

And by reading all of this it makes more sense to me why I did not achieve certain goals and how to stay motivated to reach certain goals!

I have bought many running books since I began running a year ago. I would have saved myself alot if I had ordered this one first. It is informative and balanced. I especially enjoyed the information on nutrition. Get this book first and save your money for a good pair of running shoes

I just started running and this book does a wonderful job of covering the very basics, from what kind of shoes and clothes to wear, to what to eat before a run. It also has little quotes and stories throughout that are inspiring for beginning runners. I would recommend this to anyone who is thinking about running.

I just started running and this book does a wonderful job of covering the very basics, from what kind of shoes and clothes to wear, to what to eat before a run. It also has little quotes and stories throughout that are inspiring for beginning runners. I would recommend this to anyone who is thinking about running.

I bought this book several years ago when I was thinking about starting a running program. At that time, I did not begin, but read the book, which gave many useful tips. Within the past 2 years, I have started running and I am currently training for a marathon. This book has proved to be a valuable tool to reference regarding many aspects of running, including footwear and clothing, nutrition, weather, health, nutrition, etc., etc.

I bought this book several years ago when I was thinking about starting a running program. At that time, I did not begin, but read the book, which gave many useful tips. Within the past 2 years, I have started running and I am currently training for a marathon. This book has proved to be a valuable tool to reference regarding many aspects of running, including footwear and clothing, nutrition, weather, health, nutrition, etc., etc.

This was an interesting and informative read. I quite enjoyed it. I never was the type to pick up a fitness book but i am glad I did. This book explains diet, it motivates and allows anyone to realize their goals for their bodies (ie. health, self-concept, and self-confidence, etc.). I would recommend it to anyone as I could not put it down at night and have carried it everywhere for the last two weeks.

Author of
The Truth About
Caffeine

This is a fantastic book for runners of all levels. It is well written (I read it cover-to-cover) and packed with useful information. I refer back to it often for inspiration and training tips.

Marina Kushner
Author
The Truth About Caffeine: How Companies That Promote It Deceive Us and What We Can Do about It

I am starting a running program after a 15 year break, and I have read many books on the safest way to start (old bones you know). I found this book reassuring that I can start running again (in my 30's) and run injury free well into my life. I don't run fast, but I do it at least 4 times a week. The walk/run program is a great place to start and the author does include info on race training. I would definitely reccommend this to anyone interested in beginning a running program.

This book, 'The Complete Book of Running for Women...' has a lot of inspirational & useful information in it. I know I will refer to it time & time again. I had not run since high school, some 30 years ago, but after reading 'Running Forward - Looking Back' and getting inspired to try running again, I found this book. I loved the true stories in the Running Forward book and use this book for the nuts & bolts of health and training tips. So far, these are the only running books I own. (so far anyway)

I actually found out caffeine is what was making me so ill for so many years. I drank 2 pots of coffee a day plus a lot of soda. Once I figured out it was the caffeine, I've been sick free and I don't miss the caffeine at all. I drink coffee substitutes cause I love the taste of coffee and I also have given up soda. I'm into juices, herbal teas and water. I read it's better for ya anyway. If you don't believe me, then I recommended a book called "The Truth About Caffeine" by Marina Kushner. By the way, the caffeine in tea and chocolate doesn't bother me at all. I can't figure that out but what ever works.

After reading a variety of books on running, I like Kowalchik's work best as my guide and reference. She covers a wide variety of topics of interest to beginners and established runners (see the table of contents) and provides thorough explanations. She also includes a strength training program and a series of stretches similar to that used by my college cross country coach, and, training programs to attain particular goals and/or races. The book's tone is motivating and empowering. I highly recommend it.

Hi Guys! I am a perfect man with a perfect vision and all men and women should run. It does not matter who you are or in what profession you are in. You should definitely run everyday either for an hour or thirty minutes....it helps the mind, the body, and helps you lose weight.

I recommend this book to all women and if you can motivate men to take up running then that too is a plus.

[...]

Hi Guys! I am a perfect man with a perfect vision and all men and women should run. It does not matter who you are or in what profession you are in. You should definitely run everyday either for an hour or thirty minutes....it helps the mind, the body, and helps you lose weight.

I recommend this book to all women and if you can motivate men to take up running then that too is a plus.

[...]

This book is a great reference for women who'd like to start running and improve their performance.

A very good, motivational book, but it wont deliver any new information you dont already know. The book delivers some insight on how to begin a running regime, but nothing earthshattering. It tells you to start slow and condition, eat right and enjoy yourself. Good book if you need that little extra encouragement, but my advice: save the money for some good running shoes.

This book is excellent - it covers anything you'll need to know about running & training, from everything from injury prevention to nutrition to training schedules for marathons. Claire Kowalchik used to work for Runners World and has run many marathons so she writes from experience. Highly recommended whether you've never run in your life or are experienced and just need a few good tips!

I used this book to start running again after a fourteen year hiatus. The beginner's schedule for running/walking is what got me going (don't forget a sports watch)--the anecdotes and stories written by other women kept me inspired. I've long since lost this book because I've lent it out so many times, but I recommend it to every woman who tells me they'd like to start, in fact, I did just this morning which is why I looked it up on Amazon. It's been seven years since I hit the road, and now I run four miles every other day. It's changed and strengthened my body, increased my stamina, provided a clear space in my mind and allowed me to get to know myself better. Give it a try! You have nothing to lose and many things to gain.

This book is EXCELLENT, I think I have read it cover to cover probably at least 3 times. It covers EVERYTHING you need to know about running, including nutrition, training, weight concerns, motivation, racing, and special women concerns such as pregnancy and menopause. I ran only a one short race when I recieved this book as a gift, and as I read it I became SO inspired that I decided to do a marathon! Through all my training, I think I referenced back to this book at least every other day, and the answer I was looking for was always there. Never in my life did I think I would EVER run 26 miles, but now thanks to this book and becoming so inspired, I can proudly say for the rest of my life "Once when I was 24 years old, I ran a marathon . . . "

This book is amazing! I am a beginning runner and read this book from cover to cover. It is EXTREMELY helpful! There are chapters that cover everything from selecting running shoes, evaluating running surfaces, running while pregnant, running during menopause, etc. My favorite item is a 10 week beginner's running schedule that lays out a very easy run/walk plan that culminates in the ability to run for 30 min (about a 5K). For you advanced runners, there are also schedules with much higher mileage, i.e. marathons or half-marathons.

Kowalchik covers issues for all runners as well as issues specific to women. She also addresess topics such as nutrition, cross-training, and injury prevention.

This book is ideal for the beginning to advanced runner. This book definitely helped and motivated me. Give it a try.

This book is amazing! I am a beginning runner and read this book from cover to cover. It is EXTREMELY helpful! There are chapters that cover everything from selecting running shoes, evaluating running surfaces, running while pregnant, running during menopause, etc. My favorite item is a 10 week beginner's running schedule that lays out a very easy run/walk plan that culminates in the ability to run for 30 min (about a 5K). For you advanced runners, there are also schedules with much higher mileage, i.e. marathons or half-marathons.

Kowalchik covers issues for all runners as well as issues specific to women. She also addresses topics such as nutrition, cross-training, and injury prevention.

This book is ideal for the beginning to advanced runner. This book definitely helped and motivated me. Give it a try.

Truly comprehensive, covering all topics. I especially enjoyed reading the sections on weight loss and body image, and PMS. The author has so many good tips. I loved, loved, loved this book. It's worth buying for the extra motivation, and it really helps educate you as a female runner.

There's a lot of filler here that smacks of magazine article "sound bite" type writing --I mean it sounds great, but I like a little more depth and explanation. The injury section was very cursory for instance. And the tone of some of the motivational stuff felt like it's target audience was more young girls than women. Overall I think it's a good starting read, and the training section was good, but I didn't feel particularly "wowed" by the motivational parts--maybe because I had already taken up running and already knew why I liked it . . .

This marvellous book simply goes through all of the facts you need to know about running. It gives you a new perspective of how simple and benificial running can be. I would definatley recommend this book even if running isn't your thing. I have learned a lot about running from this book and it has made me a whole new runner. This book is something I'm sure you will enjoy and learn a lot from.

This has got to be the best book ever written about running for women, and not because it's the only one I've ever read! Indeed, this book is so crammed full of vital information that, once read, you'll need to go back through it again and take notes to remember it all. After a year of self-controled weight loss and fitness improving, and at the ripe old age of 47, I discovered running for the first time in my life. I decided to test my skill at a charity 5-K, and I bought this book in time to read it before the race. The only thing it didn't adequately prepare me for was the feeling I got as I turned that last curve and headed for the finish line! Talk about your runner's high! If you only buy one book about running for women(and indeed, after you read it you'll only need this one), get this one. I highly recommend it and would someday like to personally thank Claire for writing it! Thanks to her, I not only ran the entire 5-K, but I set a personal best! Get it, and good luck!

Tremendous!!!! As a former athlete who got distracted and lost sight of the pure joy and importance of regular physical exercise and struggling to get back there, this book is wonderful! It is very well written, contains excellent advice, and targets a fairly broad audience. Even though I'm reading things I know, Claire says it well. I'm reminded of the reasons that I used to love training, exercising and running. Even better, I'm learning a few things I didn't know! It is refreshing to see a book appropriately targeting women who are aspiring to be the best they can be. All I can say is "Thank You Claire for a great read and a book that will be well loved in my library!"

This book is really great! It's written well with so much information that is broken down in easy-to-understand chapters. It's exactly what I was looking for! I was a beginner at running, but not at exercising. This book is so informative and so inspiring. Whenever I have a question or concern, I always turn to The Complete Book of Running for Women... for answers. After 8 months of running, I feel more than ready to try my first 5K. Claire's book has so much information about racing that I feel ready and raring to go!

Written by a woman for women, this book covers all the bases. Whether you are a winged-foot goddess or a beginning plodder, you will not regret buying this book when you see the good organization, nice layout and interesting anecdotes. Training for a marathon? This book gives a good program that, one coupled with maybe one other marathon book such as "Four Months to a Four hour marathon" could be all you need for running. This book gives some of the best speed workout suggestions that I have seen, building you up depending on experience. Strength training section is quite decent, and with a pair of dumbbells from the Salvation Army or something, you can add a lot to your running. There are pace charts, nutrition charts, height and weight charts galore.

I really enjoyed this book and found it very easy to read - especially for a reference book.

I've got my first race coming up this weekend, and Claire's motivational and racing chapters have really helped me prepare. Also, the nutrition chapter was very good.

I would definitely recommend anyone new to running buy this book.

I bought this, looked at it for a week and haven't gone back to it since. This book offers interesting information on training and taking care of your body, but I don't think I'll benefit from reading it again. I was looking for some inspiration for running, but didn't find it here. The book, however, does offer some good ideas to help you motivate yourself. Join or start a running group in your neighborhood. Connect with others who are interested in running. After all, do you want to run or do you want to read?

I loved this book. I'm 17 years old, going on 18, and just took up running in early August 2001. I didn't really know much about things like warming up, stretching, and other ways to prevent injuries. And so, in 3 1/2 months or so, I've suffered 3 injuries. First, an injury to my lower left ankle, that took over 3 weeks to heal and then came back for about a week about a month later. Then I had an ITB problem (left leg) that only kept me from running for 3 days or so. Now I'm suffering from a pulled muscle in my upper right thigh that occured about 2 1/2 weeks ago. While I wait for it to heal, I'm reading everything I can about injury prevention, and this book seemed like it would be a good book for that, and also a good overall running book. This book is really amazing. There's tips on everything from nutrition, injury prevention, race training, cross training
(for when you're injured or just need a rest), speedwork, motivation, what to wear, and anything else you could possibly need to know. I highly recommend this book.

I have never been a very athletic person and at 38 I decided I would try running as a way to burn off those extra calories and relieve stress. I had so many questions about running, and some specific questions that related to women only. I read this book cover to cover. It was easy to read, it was filled with all kinds of helpful information and it inspired me to run. I have looked at other running books for women, but this by far is the best and I would recommend it to anyone, whether they are trying running for the first time or have been running for years!

Great motivational stories and information for woman runners. Lots of very useful stuff, including two great chapters on stretching and strength training. Personally I don't find running on a vegetarian diet quite as "challenging" as she makes it out to be, but few authors can keep their personal biases from creeping into their writing. Overall a very helpful book to have.

I love this book -- It has become my bible! I read the book in less than a week, I could hardly put it down. When I first got the book, I thought it might be over my head (even though I've been running for years!), but I found that everything was explained well and every option was laid out for me to see. I would recommend this book for everyone -- people who want to get into shape to people who want to train and to people like me, who just run to run!