Hal Higdon

I'll be honest - I read this in sporadic fits. I didn't sit down and read huge chapters all at once, but rather only a few pages at a time. Yes, Hal Higdon is a master at the marathon. Yes, he has run hundreds of races all over the world. Yes, he deserves all the accolades showered on him. But, but. But! It's a little off-putting when he's the one tooting his own horn. In the beginning his statistics on how many visitors his website gets, how many people download his marathon plans, and on show more and on got a little wearisome. His stories of besting other runners left a bad taste in my mouth (one incident in particular - a runner passed him during a marathon and was really excited to have "beaten" the great Higdon. Higdon couldn't let the runner bask in this feat and instead assured the man he wasn't racing this marathon but simply running it.) Having said all that, this is not a book that should be ignored. By all means, if you are planning to run a marathon, read this book. I'll say it again, read this book. It's a wealth of important information. Everything from nutrition to cross training is there (all the typical information)...and even some advice you might not expect, like a training plan for women designed to work around that time of the month. Yes ladies, there is a plan for your period. So, hubris aside, this is a great resource for every kind of runner. show less

Higdon's book is an enjoyable read despite the seriousness of the subject matter. The runner's perspective that this book provides gives a real feel for the amazing experience that is participating in the Boston Marathon. This makes the tragedy that unfolded there that much more shocking. Yet Higdon's book provides an optimistic riposte to those who would try to damage the sport of running through the tales of bravery determination and joy that the marathon engenders. It is an enjoyable read show more and certainly recommended.

*Disclaimer - I received a free review copy of this book through Goodreads First Reads. show less

I wanted to read this the moment I knew it had been written. I grew up in the Boston area and my workplace is just a few blocks from the Boston Marathon finish line. I was working from home on Marathon Monday in 2013, but felt like I was there at the finish line with the runners and spectators the moment I saw the news coverage. Many of my friends were running the race, and I also knew many others who went out to watch it that day. Higdon's book really puts you right there at the finish line show more with the victims and the heroes. The pacing of the narrative is beautiful; you feel like you are running alongside the marathoners and seeing everything happen before your eyes. You feel their excitement as they pound the pavement towards Boylston Street, and you experience their horror as they witness a sight many of them couldn't comprehend at the time. Very beautifully written and a must read for anyone who felt connected to the fateful events that took place that day. show less

Higdon's the man. He's run 111 marathons, including seven in seven months to celebrate his seventieth birthday! In addition to this near superhuman record, he's set up a online training program that's helped thousands of others to run their own marathons. When Hal writes, you're reading a running authority.

This book is as comprehensive a guide you could hope for. Everything from getting off the couch to what to do after you cross the finish line is covered in detail. Frequent inset boxes show more share information he's gleaned over the years from his website.

The book was a little too long. He could have said what he did in 250 pages with some tighter editing. That said, his slow-going conversational style is part of the charm.

Having just finished my first half-marathon (1:37:37) and preparing for a full next fall, I was glued to every page. This Ultimate Training Guide is a motivational gem. show less