New York Road Runner's Club Complete Book of Running

by Gloria Averbuch

Presents a host of facts and advice for runners on such topics as training, nutrition, and injury prevention

Genres: Sports, Nonfiction

634 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1992

Reviews

[John Collings · Rating 3 out of 5]

At one time, this book was the most important book ever written about running. If you don't believe me, just ask the writer. Despite the fact Fred Lebow constantly pushes the New York Road Runner's Club as the single force that changed running world wide, the book does have some good information about equipment, health, food, and areas around the United States where you can pick up the hobby of running. It also provides some history about the sport and the information about women's struggle to be taken seriously as athletes is great, and eye-opening. It does have a series of workout schedules that I have used for years, and they have many different levels that will challenge any runner that is training for 10Ks, half marathons, and marathons. Some of the material is a little out dated, but you have to expect that for a book that was written almost thirty years ago. A revision of this book would be in order, and it would put it right back in place as the most important book ever written about running.

[Chris Sanzone · Rating 4 out of 5]

Most in depth running book I've read. It covers about everything. It was written in the 90s (explains the cover) but I'd say 80-85% is still relevant. Highly recommend for every runner to have on their shelf!

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

A comprehensive look at all things related to running.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good information generally. Some was more dated than I expected.

[Michael Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

A definitive guide for competitive running at any skill level. This book contains several personal examples from former world record holders. It provides a professional insight into nearly every aspect of running, and offers excellent advice especially for the beginner. If your goal is to run a marathon, this book will prove to be priceless.
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"You will gain a new awareness of your body. Running will improve your stamina. It will help you control or reduce your weight."

"Keeping a diary can be a valuable training aid. A diary provides you with both knowledge and perspective. It helps you to analyze your training and discover what works best for you. By analyzing you diary, successful cycles can be repeated and cycles that lead to breakdown, injury, or poor performance can be eliminated...
For every level of runner, the diary is an important tool."

"Good results don’t just happen by accident. They are the product of consistent, progressive training program, one which can best be built and improved by analyzing past results."

"If you want to legitimize your running in the eyes of your peers, tell them you’re training for a marathon."

"Like any other machine, the higher the quality of fuel used, the better the performance that will result."

"Once you race, the challenge and accomplishment are motivation to continue. Few experiences allow such a range of personal satisfaction and even fewer are as symbolic. When you race, your effort is singularly your own. In your sparest clothing, and with the power of your own body, you confront the challenge of the race. In a race, no one else and nothing else can do for you what you must do for yourself!"

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can't remember which edition of this book I read, but the dorky running people on the cover look kind of familiar, so maybe it was this one.

This is a decent introduction to the topic. It also taught me a somewhat counterintuitive fact about distance running, which is that the people who do it always seem to be dying of cancer. I find this sad and perplexing, and it's probably helped justify my continuing to smoke for so long.... Anyway, I've been really lazy these days and probably won't run the Bronx Half at the end of February, which is kind of depressing. Last year I ran five half marathons, one in each borough, and I read this book at some point right before that, so maybe it helped. This year I hope to run the real marathon(through five boroughs), even though on some level I find that thought vastly unappealing....

Well, it'll probably help when I drag my out-of-shape tush down to the library and pick up a new stack of inspirational running books. I really find that helps with motivate against the inertia.

Watch this space for updates, if you're interested in this bizarre and totally incongruous aspect of my lifestyle!

[Jonathan Nichols · Rating 5 out of 5]

Profiling some of the greatest runners in history, this book may seem a bit outdated, but the fact is that many of the people profiled were much faster than me. Based upon what I concluded before, I am not too "good" to discount the older training ideologies described in this book. It is also really fascinating to hear about the practices of legendary runners like "Pre" and Frank Shorter. This book highlights to fact that in the world of running, not much has changed since the 1970s, and I appreciate that. In a world where everything is constantly changing, the way to improve in running stays constant. "There are no shortcuts. The secret is hard work".

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good, comprehensive running and training advice for the novice runner... with a mild pitch to New York audiences. If you're looking for personal narrative to accompany your training, this is your baby. The stories throughout offer multiple (sometimes motivational) perspectives and tips to round out the research. Run run run.

[Chris Myers · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this book was good. I liked how it had many different examples of running. It has a lot of personal examples from world record holders and some of the best runners in the world. But i thought that the information was a little out of date.

[Ajeng Puspitasari · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read it before you run!

[Colby · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book got me through my first marathon.