The Competitive Runner's Handbook

by Bob Glover, Shelly-Lynn Florence Glover

For both runners entering that first neighborhood race and elite marathoners, trainers Bob and Shelly-lynn Florence Glover's completely revised guide is the book on training to compete.

A book that's already sold close to 200,000 copies, The Competitive Runner's Handbook will now offer all the latest information needed to design basic training programs; special workouts to increase strength, endurance, and power; schedules and worksheets to develop individual goals; and specifics on preparing for all kinds of races—with an emphasis on the 10K and the marathon. Informed by their over thirty years of coaching experience, the Glovers give winning tips on alternative training, footwear and diet, and common injuries and illnesses, as well as sensible advice on balancing running with work and home life.

Genres: Nonfiction, Fitness, Sports, Health, Reference, Unfinished, Science

688 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1983

About the author

Bob Glover is best known as an author of instructional running books. He is author of the book The Runner's Handbook: The Bestselling Classic Fitness Guide for Beginning and Intermediate Runners, which is a best-seller trade paperback. Another Glover book, The Competitive Runner's Handbook has sold nearly 200,000 copies.
Glover is also notable for his coaching. In 1978, he directed his first New York Road Runners class. More than 3000 runners of varying skill levels participate yearly in these classes. In addition, he conducts the City Sports for Kids track program for the New York Road Runners.

Reviews

[Rey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd call this the comprehensive bible for runners.

If interested in running, this overwhelmingly provides everything you need to know. Can't think of any particular aspect not covered here.

Infact, many sections wherein he gives practical tips and techniques only a personal running coach would which books generally don't cover.

Brilliant and all encompassing for anyone who would like to get into running. The only reason its a four is that does take awhile to get through due to the sheer detail and comprehensiveness. Yet I'm sure a book whose value to personal health will appreciate over time. Look forward to incorporating it into own routine.

[Miles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written, good combination of qualitative advice and speed recommendations for intervals, tempo workouts, as well as race goal setting. Also, good ideas for cross training.

[MichelleCH · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent book for 'everything you ever wanted to know about running'. As a runner who is a novice and wants to build speed, Glover manages to motivate without causing me too much despair over things I can't control (ie. those pesky things called genetics). At a minimum you get a great technical description of tempo runs, stride and intervals and can then talk the lingo like a pro. I see that this will be a classic handbook and can never go out of fashion.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good advice on all types of running, training plans, mental encouragement. I read this while I was training for a 10k and a half marathon. I had my own plans but this was good to read to work alongside my plans. It does have advice for 5ks as well as marathons. Nice book to keep and refer back too!

[reini]

the main utility of this book was to tell me I am nowhere near a competitive runner and instead of optimizing I should just work on running more than a few miles a week lol. skimmed - does have useful info but can be a little dense. would appreciate more diagrams especially for the stretching suggestions.

[Fabio · Rating 4 out of 5]

I helped a lot in my marathons. Great book.

[Daniel Meza · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative, detailed, and helpful.

[Vasilis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative book about running. I thoroughly enjoyed most of it. Perhaps, too detailed at times.

[Pamela]

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[Jennifer Didik · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was gifted to me by a fellow runner. Obviously I haven't read this cover to cover, but it's a solid resource. Comprehensive. No nonsense. Could benefit from another update/revision.

[Wendy Budetti · Rating 4 out of 5]

“That’s one of the things I love about running- thanks to what it takes to push yourself, you really get to know yourself, and what kind of mental toughness you have. Once you’ve realized you’re capable of, and that the negative voice inside your head shouldn’t always win, this can have a powerful impact on how you conduct the rest of your life.”

I really enjoyed the competitive running book. It’s a little (okay! maybe a lot!) more than I need right now, but it gave me a lot of good information. It is very technical and very serious, but it was still helpful for a novice like me. You can tell the authors’ love for running.

I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in running, as long as they don’t get overwhelmed or intimidated easily. And as long as they have time to read through a very extensive book.

[C. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty much the advanced runner's bible - if you want a question answered, from "how should I recover from runner's knee" to "what's a good training schedule for a half-marathon if i currently run 12 miles a week and have 12 weeks to train," this is the place to go. It's also a great way of making sure whatever ego you have is constantly deflated, as Glover casually tosses out statements like "if you find running 60 miles a week is too much, don't be embarassed to cut down to 50," or "I always take at least one day off a month". The man is a MACHINE, but a machine with good advice, so better than the T-1000.

[Myridian · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I bought this book I thought the title was simply Runner's Handbook. I was a little concerned when I realized it was for competitive runners that it would be written at too high a level for my 2-half-marathon, 10-minute-per-mile-running legs. It wasn't. The book covers a broad range of topics with an easy, readable style that changed what could be stereo instructions into an amusing guide on how to get the most out of your running body. While both Bob and Shelly-lynn Glover are credited as authors, I suspect Bob was the actual writer. I think the first hint was that almost everywhere Shelly-lynn was referred to it said ...or my wife...

[Tracy Adkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

So far I have found this book to be very interesting. I am currently in chapter 27 titled "Mental Training" and have found it chock full of tips on how to mentally prepare for a race as well as how to stay mentally focused during the race. Even though I've been a runner for some time, I still read the chapters geared towards novice runners and have gleaned some great information. So far, I highly recommend this book!

[Christopher · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lots of good advice, training schedules, tips for preparation and training. However, this book is a collection of short chapters that read more like pamphlets that the author has accumulated over time. Chapters become repetitive quickly, and removing redundant information would probably cut the page count of this book drastically. I would recommend it only because I have not come across a better book.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some of it is a little outdated at this point, but still lots of really good information & tips, & written in a highly amusing & easy-to-read style. Especially good for people just getting started, I think. If you've been running for a while, there probably isn't as much that will be all that new.

[Brandon · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a novice runner, I found this a helpful overview of the different aspects of running, from speed training to dressing for cold weather runs. It's more a reference than a book to read cover to cover. The most helpful parts were the chapters detailing how to design a training plan based on your individual goals rather than just googling "half marathon training plan."

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this because it addresses half-marathons whereas the Runner's Handbook doesn't. About half the basic material is directly copied from the RH, but the new stuff is for more serious, faster racers who run 9 min/mile pace and under.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am going to start running again, even though it really does seem to be bad for my yin. I'm going to do the Bronx Half next month, and see if I get too yanged out, then go from there. In the meantime, guess I will scare up some books to try and improve my situation a little in the weeks left.

[Teri · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book can answer nearly every question a person might have about running. It really is a great resource, even though it is 8 years old. I especially liked the chapters about running nutrition and race tactics. Hopefully they do another revised edition soon; if they do, I'd buy it!

[Nat · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author can be a bit condescending at times but I've gleaned many useful tips from this book, mostly several years ago when I was testing myself at new distances. There are some neat charts and such in here too.

[Xra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding book. If you want to take your running to the next level get this book!

This book is not for those who want to *just* finish a race. This book is for those who want to train and finish a race in the best possible time they can.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great reference book for all things running, from training plans to a detailed section on nipple chafing. Sometimes it can be a little much, but it was handy to have around as I was training for half and full marathons this year.

[Karmologyclinic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Solid information for runners. Made me understand how not to hurt myself while running, both by avoiding over-training and by correcting my weak points. May be a bit dated at some points, but for that you have the internet.
Good as a reference for anything, from training programs to stretching.

[Jeremy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazingly comprehensive book on every element of running from form to pacing to fueling to shoes to everything else. If you are a runner or a runner-to-be, this is a MUST HAVE

[Mike Todl · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are an experienced runner, or even a novice, this book is a treasure trove of information. Charts and stats deluxe, I can’t say enough good things about this book.

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's pretty informative to the new racer.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've just gotten into distance running and I was looking for a good book to help me to be a better runner. This book has it all from 5K's to marathons and how to train for each type of race.

[Jeff · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very accessible writing, not technical or filled with jargon. A beginner and experienced runner can learn about from this book. Glover seems like a great guy, I wish I could train with him!

[Mtalley2 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have started to long distance run. I am out of practice but starting circut training. This book offers lots of sound advice. Has made running easier.