Run Less Run Faster Book Review

I recieved a copy of the newly revised edition of, Run Less Run Faster from the gracious folks at Runner's World and was not expecting to enjoy it much.

I will be honest, I am a more is better type of runner/athelete so the concept of how one could run less and get faster caused some skepticism in me.

However, the more I read, the more intriguied I became!

I think by chapter 5 I had begun to think, hey this theory might really make sense. The basic concept is 3 plus 2. You run 3 quality runs throughout the week and do 2 strong cross training sessions. Throughout the book there were testimonials, emails, messages readers had sent with their success stories from the program. The more I read the book, and those testimonials, the more convinced I became.

The authors do a great job of mapping out training plans, they have extensive charts on timing, the quality runs and how they should be done. They even have Boston Marathon qualifying plans for all of the new 2013 times. I liked that a lot, being a Boston qualifier already, I know how helpful a strong training plan is.

The authors also do a wondeful job about explaining the cross training. I agree with their theories on this. I am a firm believer in cross training, I have always done it and I was happy to see that the methods I have been using recently were the ones suggested in the book. They also include training schedules for them and they fit right into the marathon training plan.

There is a great chapter on stretching, another on injuries, and even a chapter on nutrition. I liked the chapter on stretching they have pictures to go along with the explanations and I agree with the authors that not enough runners stretch that should. I would say only the chapter on nutrition left me wanting to read more, but I think nutrition is a huge topic and one that needs its own book anyways.

My favorite part of the book, they have GARMIN programming instructions!!!!!!!! I was sold on the plan and on the book once I read that. The authors took the time to consult an electrical engirneer who also uses the running program and his Garmin. The directions are perfect and precise and I cannot wait to program mine when I start my training cycle.

SO the verdict, I like the book, I like the plan. In fact, I hope to actually use the plan when I train for my fall marathon this year. Oh AND they have a chapter on ultra running and training for triathlons.... I will use it when I train for my first 50 Mile race :) It is on August 18th!!!!

I would reccomend the book to anyone who is new to running, the entire first few chapters are dedicated to training for 5Ks and 10Ks and even a half marathon. So this book really covers all race distances, which is harder to find now a days. Most books pick a distance and focus on that, but this one takes time to talk to new runners, and then dives into other runners, and at the end advanced ones who are chasing their faster goals.

Sometimes all we need to do is open up our perspective and take advice from others. As somone who was injured after following an advanced marathoning plan, running 50-60 miles a week, I think that I can utilize this plan for the rest of my marathons planned this year. I hope to get a faster time this fall and push that marathon time to a sub 3:20 so I will see if this plan does it for me. One thing is for sure, I will be sure to keep you posted :)