Mastering the Marathon

by Don Fink

The ideal resource for athletes age forty and older who seek faster times and fewer injuries

Genres: Nonfiction, Fitness

243 pages, ebook

First published September 1, 2010

Reviews

[Heidi J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy to read, encouraging, and a focus on actual training instead of the theory behind everything. It was exactly what I was looking for, and I am excited to implement one of his training plans later this month. I will add to this review after I have had some experience with his training suggestions also.

*Later* OK, so I was able to use one of his E training plans to train for my first marathon. For my starting place-- I had been running, usually as part of triathlon training, for about five and half years when I decided that I wanted to run my first marathon. I had one half marathon under my belt and numerous smaller distance races, including several sprint triathlons and 16k trail runs. I had thought I would never be able to run a marathon distance because I have been plagued by injuries. (Persistent achilles tendonosis, plantar fasciitis, stress fractures, sprains, broken toes-- pretty much my podiatrist had gotten to the point where he suggested that I would need to give up running if I wanted to be pain free.) I found through trial and error that if I limited myself to one outdoor run a week I could manage to keep running without too many problems. But can you train for a marathon with only one run a week?

Using Fink's plan, yes!! I did a lot of cross training, including using an elliptical machine for all my runs except the long run, which I ran outside according to schedule without any modifying. I used the heart rate method to find my target zones and was a little shocked to find that in general I would need to run much, much slower than I had thought. Apparently my poor little heart was not up for anything faster than a 12:00/mile pace if I was going to stick to Zone 2.

In the end, I didn't finish the marathon with some memorably fast time, but I FINISHED, which I never thought I would be able to do. Check the marathon off the bucket list. Thank you, Don Fink!!

[Brad · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book aimed at the "master" (40+) age and how to train your body for the marathon. Very informative.

[Jennifer Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I should probably wait until I have actually completed the training plan - and my first marathon - before weighing in on the efficacy of the training plan. The Fink model (there are actually several training plans included) is based on training by time (rather than distance) and heart rate (rather than pace). I am on week 3 of the plan and am finally getting the hang of training by heart rate. My pace is maddeningly SLOW currently, but I am trusting the science behind the method.
The book is easy to read, does not get bogged down in a lot of theory and tells you what you need to know to get moving with the plan.

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great book.
Covers training for those who are able to run 6 times per week or as little as 1 1/2 times per week. How do you run 1 1/2 times? Read to find out. It is all dependent on one's proneness to injury. Cross training ideas are included.

I have read several books on running and found this one filled with excellent guidance and good training plans.

[nanche curtido · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book, specific and focussed on 40+ age group and emphasizes recovery as well as three silver bullet per week: Longer run to long run, interval training and race pace x 110% run to achieve goals, all other days are 30 minutes runs or free miles sessions with cross-training.

[Sheila Valenti · Rating 4 out of 5]

i may be crazy, as but i'm debating running a 1/2 marathon and need all the ideas/encouragement i can get.

[Sharon Watkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is really geared to the high performance runner, but it does have good advice for older runners in general.

[Hemanth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Followed this book for my marathon training. Excellent book.