Of the 10 reviews of this book, which readers give an average of 5 stars, I'm noticing that only *two* people have actually used this method to run a marathon! (My review makes three.) It's fine to skim through the book, look at the schedule and think, Wow! That looks do-able! Five stars! But to actually run 26.2 miles using this method? Here are my thoughts:

First, the positive. I did it! I ran my fifth marathon last week using this method, but it was my first in 14 years and my first since kids. There was no way I could do the traditional 6 day a week training, so I was willing to give this a try. I had never done any kind of core or strength training at all, and I'm now completely sold that it is a key piece of marathon training. In the old days my back would often be the sorest part of my body after a long run, but no more, and the arm strength exercises gave me a big boost on hills. Running only 4 days a week also kept running a lot of fun, and I was always excited to get out there and go - definitely not the case when following a 6 day a week schedule.

The negatives of this book: first, the training charts in the back for all but the advanced plan show 1 core weekout a week, on
Friday, but the text description of the training says there are 3 (Tues, Thurs and Fri). I had been following the chart only and didn't notice this until a few weeks before my race, so I probably didn't do enough core exercises, which gave me something to worry about during the taper.

Second, the periodization is very different in a 4 day a week program. Normally you increase the long run milage one week and decrease the next (like 12, 9, 14, 10, 16, 11), so the build up is gradual. In this program, you increase the long run 3-4 weeks in a row (like 12, 16, 18, 20, 10). I found this really tough to do when the milage got longer, and as a result my long runs were often incredibly slow. As was my marathon time. Because the mid week runs were so light (I followed the intermediate plan), and my long runs so slow, I just didn't have the base of running to step up my pace by 1-2 minutes per mile during the race, although this book claims it will happen. More specifically, my long runs were between 9:30 and 10:00 per mile. I ran the marathon with a 3:50 pace group, which is 8:47, and at mile 24 simply fell apart, which I have never done in a marathon before - I've always run negative splits.

On the other hand, I finished in 3:52 (although I don't really consider that an "intermediate" time), and the training schedule never really took over my life as it had in the past. I never felt overtrained, and there were only a few times where the really long Sunday runs cut into my family time.

So, I think if you are very busy and yet want to *finish* a marathon the intermediate schedule is a good program. If you want to run a faster time, I'm not sure it can be done on anything less than the advanced program. Personally I think if you follow the beginning program without making the mid week runs a little faster or challenging, you may finish but I would bet you will have a pretty miserable race.

I wish the author would give more specifics about how the plans connect to various time goals! He says the right plan will "reveal itself" to the reader, but I think that might not happen until after the race!

What a wonderful book. I used this book to train for my first 1/2 marathon, after I had knee surgery 2 yrs ago @27yrs old. My husband and I loved it so much he used it to train for his 2nd full this weekend. I've been using it to train for my next half this weekend as well and plan on taking off at least 10mins from my first 1/2 just 3 months ago. We so enjoy the book and it's easy reading style. We are looking at his 12 week triathlete in hopes of entering a triathalon sometime next year. I've personally contacted Tom by email to ask questions about my knee surgery and his training schedule. He personally answered them and offered additional advice. He seem geniuely intersted in my race performance. I think I come upon a gem in training, thanks TOM!

I am currently training for my 8th marathon. Tom Holland's book was able to fit my training needs. If this had been my first marathon, it would still have met my needs. Great book. I recommend it for others.

I borrowed this book from my cousin when I watched him run the Boston Marathon last month. I read the book needing some advice for a marathon I plan to run in October. It made me want to go running as I was reading it. Rather than make copies of lots of pages, I just decided to buy another book for my cousin so I can keep the old one.

Great strategies and tips for training and nutrition. Although I have yet to put the book's method to the true test (by actaully completing a marathon), the training is going very well and I feel confident about my race this spring.

I originally got turned onto Tom Holland at his Nantucket Beach Boot Camp. I really liked his style. During the hour long session he gives great advice in an easy going manner. His workouts are tough, but they are full of variety and full of fun.
I sat down with this book, expecting it to be like a text book- tons of information to be learned and studied. I had my highlighter in hand and paper on the desk to take notes. MARATHON METHOD is so much more than that! Tom shares his knowlege of exercise combined with nutrition in a very clever manner. His expertise of the sport paired with a great sense of humor made this a pleasure to read. I stayed up late to finish it because it was that good!
I have a good base to start training for the Paris Marathon!

I'm a 42 year old father of 2. Mid-July I decided to run the Long Beach Marathon with my best friend, who had run 2 marathons previously. It would be my first; I had done a little bit of running, but didn't even own running shoes. I bought Tom Holland's book "The Marathon Method", then I bought shoes.

To make a long story short, using only this book as a training guide, 12 weeks after buying shoes and taking up running, I ran the Long Beach Marathon last Sunday in 3:59:12, beating my friend by 6 minutes. My time would have been even better if I'd not ignored one of Tom's marathon "commandments" about staying hydrated (I didn't like energy drink provided at the race). Bottom line is, Tom Holland's training marathon training methods, in my opinion, have you running just enough miles to properly prepare you for the race while still keeping running pleasurable!! I enjoyed and looked forward to all my training runs and definitely got benefits from the strength training in between runs. Additionally, the other race preparation advice (mental strategies, diet, supplements, equipment, etc.) were extremely helpful. I highly reccomend this book.

I used the advanced marathon training program in this book to cut my marathon time in 4 months from 3:45:17 in Prague to 3:13:55 in Berlin. I ignored his strength/core workout and did the performance training program from [...] instead on strength and core days. This book was excellent for me. The only disappoinment for me was the lack of detailed information on the mysterious taper period before the race day. Two thumbs up though.

This is a very simple and straightforward book on preparing for your first marathon. It is systematic and easy to follow. If you haven't run this far before and you are intimidated, this will help you to get over it.

It may sound like a strange suggestion, but I also recommend Making a Change for Good: A Guide to Compassionate Self-Discipline. This later book has a nice 30 day retreat in the back that will help you with your mental game. If you don't know what I mean, you will once you start running those long distances.

With respect to my background, I was an all state runner in my late teens and ran a lot of long distance events in my 20s. I also have a graduate education in physiology and biochemistry and worked with another person in training athletes in my late twenties. Since then, I have had back and neck injuries and don't do a whole lot of running. However, I'm thinking of wading back into this stream and the gentle approach put forward here seems scientifically sound, easy to follow and simple.

I had a knee injury that was chronic when I was about 12. I got into running because I had a lot of trouble walking and was overweight. Running helped me to get over this injury, restore my self confidence and realize the power of the mind and relationship between the mind and body. This is my current pursuit and passion. Literally, a doctor told my mother I wouldn't be running and would be wearing a splint, she passed away a few years ago... but she showed me the power of intention, commitment, etc. That is not to say everyone can do anything, but most of the time I believe we limit ourselves.

If you have injuries I advise you to talk to your health care provider before taking up running. It also a good idea from a cardiovascular point of view... remember Jim Fix?! However, most people who are reasonably health can run a marathon if they train systematically. Good luck on running your first... and many thereafter. I hope to do one again sometime soon as well.

Just what I was looking for in terms of detail, easy-read...everything I wanted to know as a first time marathon runner.