Much of this book is about inspiring people who have never run at all .. in fact, who have never really done any sports and are in bad shape all around. So you'll find a lot of inspirational material that a person already active in sports won't be interested in. But there's still plenty of information about running itself (shoes to buy, training programs, etc.)

This book was exactly what I was looking for. I had been running for a few months and my enthusiasm was starting to deminish. This book gave some very good pointers as well as helped me to identify with others who were beginners to the sport. I found out some things I needed to correct and felt encouraged at learning there were things I was doing that was right on the money. Also, the reading was entertaining and light. I believe if you are new to this sport, this is the book for you!

I cannot recommend this book highly enough. I've been running recreationally on and off (sadly, mostly off) for about 10 years and I've had phases when I've ran really well regularly and when I've struggled getting 30 minutes in per week. Not only is "Running for Mortals" quite inspirational, but it also corrected so many misconceptions I've had about how to become a "better" runner. Like most people, I suppose, I always thought that if high intensity over a short period of time is good, then high intensity over a longer period is better; and that if I'm improving my 5k time every few months then I'm on the right track even if I'm really struggling to keep going faster and found it harder to do the next run. Well, I was wrong on both counts (and on several others)! Bingham and Hadfield explain that there's ONLY one way to become a better runner and only one way to enjoy this sport over an extended period of time (I won't ruin it by giving the answer away). Suffice it to say that running "harder" is almost never "better". Bingham and Hadfield give many detailed technical tips on how to improve and explains the proper mental atitude to adopt. And I believe the training plans included in the last part of the book serve both experts and novices quite well. Even if I do almost all of my running indoors, I now have a renewed outlook on running and have become more patient and smart about how to go about achieving, and ENJOYING, my running goals. Most of all, both my wife and I have fully committed to doing the programs together so this book started us out on a new shared experience that'll hopefully last many years.

I highly recommend this book for any beginner. If you have more running experience, it is a good read to remember why you started running in the first place.

Iam a difficult and undiscipline runner, but I love the few moment I have done it.
This book I bougth about 7 months ago and I read it in few days, well I trow it in my library and did not think at it again 'till today: I found a special friend whom did not meet at least 18 years ago, he is a runner, a real one, he goes NYC every single year for running marathon(from Costa Rica to NYC just to run...), and when I came back home I took this book and started reading and the most incredible thing: I was running for 25 minutes,my shoes and running pants where out the closed...for ever, I know that-
"The penguin" has the rare faculty to transmit one the taste for the primary human instinct: runnig....and runnig.

As a middle-aged man who had slid into sloth I began regular running a few months ago. Shortly after starting I discovered John Bingham's first book The Courage To Start: A Guide To Running for Your Life which echoed and reinforced my reasons for running, provided practical advice and ideals to aspire to in both running and life. It really helped me to get over the initial hurdles and take pride in completing a couple of races. I purchased 'Running for Mortals' looking for guidance in the next steps of my running but found that the bulk of the book is directed at those just starting out or considering doing so.

'Running For Mortals' contains quite a lot of practical information. I was interested in the discussion of the different rates at which your cardiovascular, muscular and skeletal fitness/strength develop and how awareness of this in the early stages can help to prevent injury. The chapter on stretching is well set out and I learned some new exercises (including a stretch to help avoid the dreaded ilio-tibial band syndrome that so many runners complain of). The chapter on strength training is similarly well set out with exercises that don't require costly equipment.

Some basic information is provided to help navigate the confusing world of running shoes but I think it would have been useful to have some discussion about rotating different pairs of shoes. The authors emphasize the value of going to a specialist shop for expert fitting.

The training programs included with the book are well set out and cater for a range of existing fitness levels and running goals. If you are looking to intersperse some running into your walks, or build up to continuous running, or your main aim is weight loss, then I think you will find these programs well structured and achievable. But if, like me, you are an early-stages runner at a slightly higher fitness level (e.g. you can run for an hour or two continuously and without undue stress) then only the 10km training program will be of interest. The authors suggest that their earlier book Marathoning for Mortals is intended for folks at this and higher levels and this is the one I'll be buying next.

Why only three stars ? Several reasons. Firstly, while both authors write clearly and engagingly, the text shifts from sections of first person singular voice, where it is sometimes clear who is writing and sometimes not, to first person plural. I found this a bit awkward at times. Secondly, there is some padding - a prime example being the chapter 'Becoming your own coach' which consists of a series of short character sketches linked to each of the training programs. I didn't find that this added any useful information. Thirdly, although this may be an unfair criticism, the book lacks the magic of 'The Courage to Start' which has an often zen-like discussion of runner's mind and how running can enrich your wider life emotionally and philosophically. The short 'Penguin Pearls of Widsom' at the head of each chapter in 'Running For Mortals' give some flavour of this, but for those teetering on the cusp of running I'd strongly recommend that you chase up a copy of 'The Courage To Start' first.

I've tried a few running programs through the years and I've never been able to stick with one. Now that I've read the book I realized I was always starting out too hard. I've been following the schedule for about a month. The run/walk programs in the book are easy to follow and I haven't had any problems with my knees. This and the Nike+ system make me look forward to running.

John's books are the best. Of course the first one will be my favorite. This book is a great read and you will finish it quickly. For the beginner you will learn a great deal and for those of us who have been running for a while, you will find humor and a bit of info along the way.

This has been a really easy read, and very helpful to someone (me) trying to ease into a running lifestyle.

I've read most all of John Bingham's books and I feel this one is even better than the previous ones. I think Jenny's comments and experience, added with John's make it an all around great book for every runner. Their writing is easy to understand, and relate to. The only runner that might not want to read it, is the elite runner that knows it all anyway :) The rest of us love to read books by people that can relate to the every day runners experience, as well as give us practical advice to become the best we can be. John and Jenny are encouraging and inspiring, and that is evident in this book.

I found this book a great read for both newbies and experienced runners. Although I have been running for years, I found his wit and wisdom through the retelling of his own story both motivating and encouraging. New runners I have lent it too love the fact that he keeps things simple and on a readable level. If you are looking for a book about VO2 max, periodization, and HR threshholds...look someplace else.

But if you want to be reminded of why you are running in the first place, pick up this "tell it like it is" account of running.

I've been an on again/off again runner for about 10 years and I've read several books on running over the years. So, I THOUGHT that I knew what I was doing.

After reading through the first half of this book, I came to realization that I really don't know what I'm doing as a runner at all! I wish that this book existed 10 years ago when I first started running - I'd be in much better shape than I am today.

This book is geared for beginning runners, but you might be surprised at what you can learn, even if you've been at it for a while.

Last, this book is fun to read and I'm finding it to be quite inspirational.