I read this book laying on the deck of my hotel room in bora bora....i'm so happy i had the experience of reading this book there. thats where i decided to take a step, a leap, a jump and train for my first half and full marathons. all within 9 months. YOU WILL GO ON SUCH A JOURNEY, FIND THINGS OUT ABOUT YOURSELF THAT YOU WOULD HAVE NEVER KNOWN. Buy this book, enjoy the rid

I originally saw a "brief" of this book in a magazine showing the training schedule for the "walking" half-marathon. I started the training plan and decided that I should get the book to further help me. The book is well-worth the read. It is an easy read with some funny and helpful stories. My son (16) and I (41) are in week 6 of the training program and really enjoy it. I recite some of the "motivational" stories that I have read in the book while we are doing some of the long Saturday walks. In about 8 more weeks I am hoping that I will be able to say that I am a "half-marathoner" thanks to this book.

This is an excellent book. It has a lot of good information and a very practical approach. The books first emphasis is on training safely. It covers everything from preparing to train to recovery post race. Its got 8 different training plans to choose. I highly recommend this book.

Reading this book with the expectation that you'll be a better runner once you finish it is unrealistic. If you're in need of help with your training, either as a complete beginner or someone looking to take his running game to another level, the personal touch is leagues better. Just as a garden-variety self-help book is no substitute for speaking with a psychologist or confidante, MFM won't nearly offer the kind of assistance you'd get from a personal trainer, coach, or even a more advanced jogging partner.

That said, Marathoning does offer a lot of practical advice, and is a good place to start before seeking more detailed information elsewhere. I'm looking to make some changes in my running regimen in order to improve my race times, or- gasp- graduate from half-marathons to full, and I took some notes from MFM on what kinds of improvements I could stand to make (e.g., lose the cotton socks for synthetic; do a better job of hydrating during my runs; examine my arches and tailor my next sneaker purchase accordingly).

It's an easy and fun read, and has the potential to be kinda inspirational, too, assuming you find anecdotes about people's running achievements more encouraging than corny. [There are a lot of these accounts of personal triumphs interspersed liberally throughout the book's more practical points, and while they can get to be a bit much, at least there are a few stories for every type of runner and walker.] In fact, if author John "The Penguin" Bingham was even half as lazy and unfit in his pre-marathoning days as he comically describes himself, it ought to inspire any reader to sign up for a long-distance race tomorrow.

This book contains a lot of great information for first time marathon/half-marathon runners. The book is well organized and written in a clear and readable style. In addition to the 8 customized training programs and accompanying advice, there are also special sections on deciding which race to run and when, injury prevention, nutrition, gear, race day strategy, and recovery.

This is the best such book I have read on the topic.

This book inspired me to train for longer races. The plans and strategies it provided were helpful and sound. My training and results improved after reading this book, as did my confidence.

This is an excellent book for beginning runners who aspire to conquer the marathon.

This book is a must have for anyone who enjoys running and wants to train for a marathon or 1/2 marathon. I've already read it once and loaned it to a friend and decided to get another copy to read it again. Easy read and enjoyable. Well written in a fun and amusing manner.

This book is so sweet and uplifting. I am a beginning runner and I just loved this book. It helped me get the motivation I needed to keep on my training. I am going to buy the rest of his books. I can't get enough!

Nowhere on the book's cover or in its description will you find the disclaimer, "We suggest that you run or walk on a regular basis - and by that we mean getting out and moving at least 30 minutes, three times a week - for at least a year before embarking on any long-distance training program" until you get to the third paragraph of Chapter Five. Even in the beginning of the book, page 3 to be exact, you read, "So you've never run a step before in your life? No problem. One of our plans will work for you." Hmm, doesn't quite compute, does it? In the introduction to the book, they say they have a program if you're an absolute beginner, then five chapters later tell you they want you to have a foundation of fitness for a year before starting one of their programs. Huh?

This is misleading and obviously disheartening for the never-ran-a-step-in-your-life absolute beginner that goes out and buys this book. Even if you've been running for six months, you're apparently not ready yet. "Not a problem," you say, as you then try to find that year-long foundational training program in the book. Guess what? It doesn't exist. There are eight programs, mind you, but the authors would like you to have that year under your belt before starting any of them. Sound advice, for sure, but something you won't find out until you plunk down the money for this book (or take my comment to heart and not buy it...yet).

So, if you make the mistake of buying this book and you're an absolute beginner, put it back on your bookshelf, pick up an actual beginning runner's book (I recommend The Runner's Handbook : The Bestselling Classic Fitness Guide for Beginning and Intermediate Runners (2nd rev Edition)), follow its programs for a year, then follow its marathon program or dust the cover of your Marathoning for Mortals book and start one of its 3 - 6 month long half-marathon or full marathon programs. The rest of the book is good, but I've got to give it only two stars for this misrepresentation.

Nowhere on the book's cover or in its description will you find the disclaimer, "We suggest that you run or walk on a regular basis - and by that we mean getting out and moving at least 30 minutes, three times a week - for at least a year before embarking on any long-distance training program" until you get to the third paragraph of Chapter Five. Even in the beginning of the book, page 3 to be exact, you read, "So you've never run a step before in your life? No problem. One of our plans will work for you." Hmm, doesn't quite compute, does it? In the introduction to the book, they say they have a program if you're an absolute beginner, then five chapters later tell you they want you to have a foundation of fitness for a year before starting one of their programs. Huh?

This is misleading and obviously disheartening for the never-ran-a-step-in-your-life absolute beginner that goes out and buys this book. Even if you've been running for six months, you're apparently not ready yet. "Not a problem," you say, as you then try to find that year-long foundational training program in the book. Guess what? It doesn't exist. There are eight programs, mind you, but the authors would like you to have that year under your belt before starting any of them. Sound advice, for sure, but something you won't find out until you plunk down the money for this book (or take my comment to heart and not buy it...yet).

So, if you make the mistake of buying this book and you're an absolute beginner, put it back on your bookshelf, pick up an actual beginning runner's book (I recommend The Runner's Handbook : The Bestselling Classic Fitness Guide for Beginning and Intermediate Runners (2nd rev Edition)), follow its programs for a year, then follow its marathon program or dust the cover of your Marathoning for Mortals book and start one of its 3 - 6 month long half-marathon or full marathon programs. The rest of the book is good, but I've got to give it only two stars for this misrepresentation.

A friend recommended this book to me and I am thrilled I took her advice and read it. For a novice marathoner like me, it is packed full of must-know details and provided me with great insight into training for and running/walking a marathon. At the time I purchased the book I was a newly reformed couch potato all set to walk my first marathon but now I've decided to allow myself ample training time. Still determined to venture into the marathoning world, thanks to this book I'll go there full of knowledge to keep me healthy and walking for years to come.

Great book! It got me through my first marathon.

Great book! It got me through my first marathon.

I have never considered myself a runner but after receiving this book as a gift, I decided to begin to train for a half-marathon. The information provided in this book is very clear and very practical for a beginning runner. I wasn't overwhelmed by the vocabulary, my 'novice' questions were answered thoroughly, and the training schedule was totally doable. I was a little worried before my first half-marathon because I thought that training for it would be 24/7, but I found that this book allowed me to train smart ... I was prepared physically and mentally (and had no injuries along the way). This book is wonderful!

Having trained with Team In Training before, and doing it again this year, I decided to pick this gem up to supplement the training I was getting with TNT. I'm glad I read this book. It both solidifies what I thought I knew about smart training, and helps clarify many of the emotional issues that go into preparing for and completing a 26.2 mile journey.

I've recommended it to others. Well done!

As a beginning runner who wants to do things the right way, I have read everything I can find about running. However, no other book caters to the beginner like Marathoning for Mortals. Other books include set training programs that emphasize the importance of increasing your mileage or continuous running time every single week - which has always led to injury for me. Those books seem like they were written by people who cannot remember what it is like to be a beginner and get shin splints all the time! Bingham and Hadfield stress that just getting out there and doing it is what will lead to success. There are, of course, increases in distance and intensity in their programs, but they are much more gradual and manageable.

The authors also have years of experience in motivating beginners to train, and it shows. Reading this book makes you want to get out there and do it.

I read several books about running and marathoning when I decided to switch from power walking to running. This book truly encouraged me in my thoughts of running a marathon. A week ago I ran that first marathon - the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington DC. Their training schedule was perfect for me and prepared me well for the 26.2 miles. I highly recommend it to anyone, especially new runners.

I thought this book was great! If you are thinking about training or starting to train, you definitely need to read this book. They give great advice and give you the confidence to do things you never thought you could.

I thought this book was great! If you are thinking about training or starting to train, you definitely need to read this book. They give great advice and give you the confidence to do things you never thought you could.

I love this book! After completing many marathons, I received this book as a gift, and it made me want to go right out and do another. As a coach for endurance athletes, I give this book to each of them during their training for marathons/half marathons. Full of good information for the first timer and inspiration for the multi-race finisher.

This is a great book for anyone thinking of training for a long distance event. I ordered this as an extra copy for another first time race participant. It is very easy reading and lots of laughs. It is the bible of our walking group. Last year 6 of us completed our first ever half marathon at Disney. This year we'll have over 10 with some doing their first marathon. It truely helps the average Joe believe he can complete a long distance event.

I am preparing for my first marathon for Team in Training that will take place in December.I bought this book after reading other reviews of it on Amazon and I must say that everything positive I read about it has been true.I like that it breaks down a training guide for those doing a half-marathon run or walk, a walk/run and full marathon walk or run.So it really is good for a beginner like me.The advice given about overtraining is also invaluable.Also he tells you what to do after the marathon icluding what and when to eat and to soak in cold water as muscles tend to stiffen.I would say if you are training you need to get this book great information here for anyone considering doing a marathon or even a 10k race.

I just completed my first marathon and I can't say enough about this book's training program. I am a "mere mortal" and never really ran much before I started training for the Chicago Marathon. I found myself amazed at how I was always ready for the next long distance every weekend. There are several different training programs listed in the book that meets the needs of all runners from novice to expert. In addition to the training, this book also covers all the questions you would never think to ask, but you need to know... from the type of socks you should wear to what you should eat the night before the race. I was completely prepared for my marathon and I owe it all to John and Jenny! I can't recommend this book enough!

Marathoning is more than a physical effort. It is also mental and spiritual. Body and mind both must be conditioned for the 26.2 mile adventure. This book addresses the whole person's preparation for a marathon. Bingham stresses that each person can find success at their own level.

A few years ago, I joined "Team In Training" to do a marathon while raising money to fight cancer. A noble goal, but I had never done more than a 5K. In fact I am a cancer survivor myself! I read this book cover to cover, and followed the ideas. Foure months later, I finished my first marathon! I have done a few more since then too!

If you are a hot-shot runner, go write your own book. Want a technical book in running? Go get one. This book is for the rest of us who just want to do the marathon, go the distance, and have some fun too!
Thank You John!

This is an excellent book for whomever needs some help on his/her training. It explains in perfect detail how to train for a full or half marathon according to your current level. It tells you what to expect, how to prepare yourself, and especially it makes a lot of emphasis on cross training (which means training by doing other sports other than running). Cross training is a key component in a good routine. Few authors put so much emphasis on this. He also explains the importance of stretching and using other sports for your benefit. I really think this is one of the best books you can get if you don't know anything about training for a marathon and you are planning to train for one.

Bingham always has a great perspective inside each edition of Runner's World. 'Marathoning for Mortals' keeps the same tone while connecting the dots of his 'high five' mantra into a training regiment.

You'll get high praise from Bingham while "Coach Jenny" brings it back to the training. They cover everything for the beginner as well as the the runner who is looking to take on his/her third/fourth marathon.

It takes you month by month through the training, anticipating every heartbreak and muscle ache. If you're thinking about marathoning, then start here, then move onto Galloway or Higdon.

I purchased this book for a friend who is a beginning runner and wanted to achieve a lifelong dream of running a marathon. I did look through it before gifting it and found it to be full of doable advice for the average person. Mr. Bingham does not take the elitist attitude some runners have towards the sport of marathoning; that it has been cheapened by the influx of "mere mortals" who dare to venture out on to the 26.2 mile course with nothing more than a pair of shoes and a few weeks of training. Instead, he maintains that there is a place for everyone in the pack (and I agree) All runners pay the same entry fee. The "mere mortal" may have put in just as much training as the elite runner to get to the finish line. Some can cross the line in just over 2 hours, others require 3 or 4 times that long. In my opinion (and Mr. Bingham's) if they have given it all they have for 26.2 miles, they have run the same race. Anyone contemplating this lifetime achievement (I will NEVER forget the feeling of crossing the finish line at my own first marathon) but who fears that it is out of their reach, should buy this book.

A great easy-to-read book that gives you interesting info about what distance running means for your body, and what it takes for you to be prepared both physically and mentally, to get to the start line. John's and Jenny's explanations, experiences and suggestions encouraged me to revisit my training routine for, as I kept on reading, I realized how my original approach was not helping me to get the best out of my effort. I made some adjustments and they have resulted in evident improvements.

If you are not one of those seasoned-supersonic runners in the world, I'm sure you will find the book of great help, and at times, even a source of inspiration.