The Lazy Man's Guide to [ultra]Marathon Running: a Mad Mathematician's Research-based "Easy Does It" Method for Optimal Training Efficiency

by Sky Pelletier Waterpeace, Thomas J Osler (Foreword)

Efficient training is effective training. Whether you seek the challenge of a half-marathon, marathon, or ultramarathon, or just to shave a few seconds off your 5k time, your goal should be safe and effective training. The Lazy Man's Guide to [ultra]Marathon a Mad Mathematician's Research-based "Easy Does It" Method for Optimal Training Efficiency is an all-in-one guide for smart training. This book covers the physical, mental, and spiritual aspects of efficient training, with humor and humility, as well as first-hand stories of the author experimenting with these methods in his own runs and races. The book includes a foreword by the great Tom Osler (former AAU 25k, 30k, and 50 mile national champion, winner of the 1965 Philadelphia Marathon), and the appendix contains a complete copy of Osler's seminal work, the conditioning of distance runners . Plus, there's an entire chapter about the value of eating chocolate! This book is suitable for runners of all abilities, including those new to the sport. However, even experienced runners will find surprising, scientifically-based methods to boost their endurance. Although aimed at runners, this book is a great addition to the shelf of any athlete who wants to optimize their training. What if I’m not a runner? Completing a marathon (26.2 miles), a half marathon (13.1 miles), or an ultramarathon (distance greater than 26.2 miles, often 50 miles or longer) is an amazing feat, and it is an amazing feat that can be accomplished by all. If you ever thought about running but thought that it was "too hard" or that you weren't "tough enough", this book is for you! What if I’m already a good runner? If you are a serious runner who is looking for that competitive edge, this book is for you as well! Professor Waterpeace shares a number of research-based efficient training methods and tweaks which will optimize the performance of even already experienced runners. Tell me again about the chocolate... Yes, there's an entire chapter about the value of eating (dark) chocolate as part of any effective training plan! Dark chocolate acts in a number of ways to boost endurance efficiency, both acutely, and chronically. That means that if you eat a single dose of dark chocolate an hour before an event, it will increase your endurance during that event. If you eat dark chocolate daily for several weeks leading up to your event, it will increase your endurance through a different biochemical method. Want more details? They’re in the book! Both sides of the coin. This book is an excellent resource for anyone who runs, whether they are new to the sport, or have been running for many years, including competitive athletes. Those who are interested in running but haven’t yet begun will learn with maximally efficient, safe methods. Athletes of other sports can easily use the techniques outlined in The Lazy Man's Guide to [ultra]Marathon Running to improve their performance and recovery in their chosen sport. the conditioning of distance runners The foreword is written by the great Tom Osler, and this edition includes a complete reprint of Osler's seminal 1967 running book, the conditioning of distance runners . Osler’s book was the first to take a scientific approach to training for runners. He explores the differences between what he calls “Base training” and “sharpening”, including suggested training plans. the conditioning of distance runners is reprinted so that a new generation of runners may explore its benefits. The “Easy Does It” method may be considered the most advanced and efficient form of “Base training” possible, and the sections on “sharpening” may be particularly valuable for runners looking to optimize their race-readiness. About the title Relax! The book is about efficiency, not laziness.

391 pages, Paperback

Published January 4, 2020

Reviews

[Vickie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The lazy man's guide to [ultra]marathon running: a mad mathematician's research-based easy does it method for optimal training efficiency.

When I searched around for a book about running, this title caught my eyes. This is the kind of title I would write or try to write but may not always succeed when I want to submit a manuscript for a scientific journal. It is concise but have all the key information, with every word in it essential. With a PhD in statistics, I consider myself a half mathematician. Or maybe 75%? After spending decades on medical research, I always turn into research whatever the matter is. "Do some research to figure out the rules and how to get most out of it" is something I would say to my kindergartners even though they just wondered about how to level up in a new game on Ipad. While being a perfectionist, working full time with ambitions for my career, and being a Mom for two energetic young kids, I am or forced into a big believer in efficiency and easy does it methods for everything. So when I saw the title of this book, I immediately know this is for me. This book is a fun read. It elaborates everything covered in the title and gives more. Really glad to see that the author did not only talk about his successful stories but also shared his not so successful moments. So when I start running and realize something is missing or can be better prepared, I can tell myself it is ok just to keep going as it is.

I start to follow the methods described in this book about a month ago and twist into a plan that fits my schedule. Cannot wait to try out in a 5k in the near future and ultimately in a marathon.

[Jason Comely · Rating 4 out of 5]

The prof spills the beans on how to run an ultramarathon without killing yourself. He also goes into the ketogenic diet and bare feet running and how they can improve ones endurance, but I think that should've been left out for another book. A kindle unlimited gem.

[Clark Goble · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was kind of a weird read. The goal of the author, I suppose, was to share a system of run training that could be considered a minimal approach. The book was so poorly written and repetitive, however, that any useful nuggets were nearly overshadowed. The basic approach of the author includes; run less, run barefoot, and eat keto. His approach was sound, and I did glean some useful information, I just wish the information had been presented in a more palatable manner. I nearly quit in the middle, but managed to stick it out.

[Bo Co · Rating 1 out of 5]

I knew Todd Pelletier long before he started publishing under the name Sky Waterpeace. That name came about in the late 1990s when the Austin Powers movies were popular and he decided to reinvent himself as a kind of wandering spiritual guru. He stopped caring for his appearance, embraced an unwashed hippie aesthetic, and began speaking in vague, mystical phrases that sounded profound but never actually said anything. I first crossed paths with him in Alcoholics Anonymous where he had a huge following. Many people admired him, but I learned quickly that his real addiction was people. In AA there is an unspoken term for when a seasoned member targets newcomers for romantic or sexual involvement. It is called the 13th step and Todd practiced it with absolute dedication. That is how he drew people into his inner circle, especially women who were much younger than him and in emotionally vulnerable states. I have little doubt that is how he met his current wife, who is young enough to be his daughter.

His professional life followed the same patterns. He briefly taught at Rowan University as an adjunct professor but was eventually dismissed after sleeping with his students. When academia no longer provided him with access to new targets, he moved into the new age community and attached himself to the Monroe Institute. For those unfamiliar, the Monroe Institute has been compared to Scientology in its methods of recruitment and retention. Todd lasted there only until his boundary issues caught up with him again. When they removed him, he simply began running a similar group out of his home, free from oversight. This book is a distillation of everything I saw in him over the years. It is filled with charisma, but it is charisma used as a lure. He writes to the lost, the searching, the hurt, and the inexperienced, pulling them in close before steering them into relationships and dependencies that benefit him. Readers should understand that nothing about Sky Waterpeace is accidental. Every word and gesture is calculated to keep the power in his hands.

[Eric Paradis · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very frustrating book. All this for that !

Two-thirds in the book you find out that the author, despite all his theories about training and nutrition tweaks, runs 5-6 hours marathons. Though I fully respect people who do walk/run races at this speed, no one needs a book to do this, any somewhat healthy person can walk / run a marathon at this pace, even a flat ultra. No need to bother with the keto diet. Some of the theories presented are valuable, but the references are meager.

If you train easy, you’ll walk / run easy. No hard work, no reward.

The best part of the book is the appendix which is not from the author…

[Rogier · Rating 1 out of 5]

A better title would be "The lazy man's guide to running a half marathon and walking the other half to pretend you ran a marathon."
Sky Pelletier's parody of a running guide could have been entertaining if he would have had any writing skills.
Unfortunately, it seems Sky wasn't joking when he said he completed a "1000 km ultramarathon" in four months. Following Pelletier's way of reasoning, I completed a 2680 km ultramarathon back in 2021 and I didn't cheat by walking half of it :)
Didn't read this book yet? Do yourself a favor and run the other way.

[Josh Home · Rating 1 out of 5]

If you’ve ever wondered what would happen if Austin Powers joined a knock-off Scientology group, dropped out, and decided to sell his “wisdom” to the nearest freshman dorm, this book is your answer. Todd Pelletier, now going by “Sky Waterpeace” since the 90s fad, pours the same recycled “cosmic guru” routine onto paper. Just like in AA, it’s not about sobriety or growth — it’s about Todd getting his next fix: people.

[Bob Cob · Rating 1 out of 5]

Mr. Pelletier (writing under his “guru” pseudonym Sky Waterpeace) trades in pseudo-spiritual jargon and weaponized charm. After losing his adjunct teaching job at Rowan for inappropriate relationships with students, he pivoted to running a Monroe Institute knock-off from his house. This book reflects the same patterns: building dependency in readers who don’t yet realize they’re being groomed.

[Kin Amz · Rating 1 out of 5]

To anyone considering following Todd Pelletier’s “teachings,” please research his past. I met him in AA where he worked the 13th step like it was his full-time job. He’s been fired from teaching, kicked out of spiritual groups, and always lands back in spaces where vulnerable people gather. This book is just another lure.

[N A · Rating 1 out of 5]

If you’ve ever wondered what would happen if Austin Powers joined a knock-off Scientology group, dropped out, and decided to sell his “wisdom” to the nearest freshman dorm, this book is your answer. It’s not self-help — it’s self-serving.

[N A · Rating 1 out of 5]

Reading this made me sad. Once upon a time, Todd could have used his intelligence for something good. Instead, he’s chasing control over people half his age, clinging to a guru persona that expired decades ago. You can almost hear the loneliness between the lines.

[Joshua · Rating 1 out of 5]

I once admired Todd’s intelligence. Then I realized the “insight” was just bait for dependency. Reading this was like watching a magician do the same trick over and over — and knowing it’s just sleight of hand.

[Joshua Plumeau · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad. Spoiler alert (if there can be such a thing) he wants you to change your diet.