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campbelltaral's review
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
4.0
I think my last running book read for awhile, this one was strongest with it's experiential and mental aspects. The author writes as though you arrived on location for a week of training. Unusual but neat. There are clearly defined guidelines on how to get started wherever you're at with running. A pretty good balance to other more textbook options.
citizenkahn's review
5.0
"Born to run" changed my views on what running could be and mean. Eric's book is how I achieve that and begin running longer distances with proper form, joyfully and injury free. Phase one is complete. I read through the book once and now I begin implementing what I learned. should be quite the adventure.
elzecatreads's review
1.0
I had high expectations for this book--I read Born To Run and loved it, and the author of this book is the coach who trained author Christopher McDougall to run the race he describes in Born To Run. But I was a bit disappointed. The very fact that pace charts in the book don't offer anything for anyone who runs slower than a 10-minute mile made me feel totally excluded and like the exercises and information would not be particularly helpful. I also thought the suggestion to basically throw out one's stability shoes (regardless of one's feet, physical abilities, style of running, etc) and run barefoot was a bit extreme. I just didn't find this book to be helpful for the average or back-of-the-pack runner.
athst's review
5.0
This is a good training book for running. If you're not sure whether or not you might like it, I would recommend looking up the YouTube channel of the author, Eric Orton. If you enjoy the style of his videos, you will probably enjoy the book. The way the book is written is essentially the way he talks in real life. It is written in second person, with the premise that he is coaching you. I liked it and thought it was a nice approach, but saw in other reviews that it bothers some people.
What's great about it is that it is very practical - while you get the sense that there's a lot of science and research behind what he's telling you to do, he doesn't focus on it a lot in the book. He just succinctly tells you to do it. The book is a pretty holistic training plan, which is convenient for someone who doesn't know where to start. The only challenge is getting out there and doing it
What's great about it is that it is very practical - while you get the sense that there's a lot of science and research behind what he's telling you to do, he doesn't focus on it a lot in the book. He just succinctly tells you to do it. The book is a pretty holistic training plan, which is convenient for someone who doesn't know where to start. The only challenge is getting out there and doing it
danarama's review
Hard to rate this book. I thought the writing was frequently cheesy. Orton presents the book in second person with a story about how you're hanging out with him and he's coaching you personally. It felt a bit like filler. However, it does really make me want to visit Jackson Hole, Wyoming. It sounds gorgeous! But I guess what matters is the running advice, and there Orton has what sounds to me like a reasonable hypothesis.
He feels most running injuries are caused by weak feet, muscle imbalances in our legs and poor form. Orton offers a suite of exercises for strengthening your feet and legs, lots of advice on form and a running program to transition to his version of natural running. I started a marathon plan last week so I'm not willing to abandon it for his five month program. I'll start the foot exercises and follow his form advice as best I can.
The book ends with a couple of chapters on chasing your dreams. Nice enough but not the sort of thing I find motivating.
It's hard to put a rating on a book like this, of course. If I'm injury free at the end of the season maybe it'll be five stars :P
He feels most running injuries are caused by weak feet, muscle imbalances in our legs and poor form. Orton offers a suite of exercises for strengthening your feet and legs, lots of advice on form and a running program to transition to his version of natural running. I started a marathon plan last week so I'm not willing to abandon it for his five month program. I'll start the foot exercises and follow his form advice as best I can.
The book ends with a couple of chapters on chasing your dreams. Nice enough but not the sort of thing I find motivating.
It's hard to put a rating on a book like this, of course. If I'm injury free at the end of the season maybe it'll be five stars :P
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