Better Training for Distance Runners - 2nd Edition

I have read dozens of books about training for the distance runner. This book and Jack Daniel's Running Formula are, by far, the two best books for the serious coach or distance runner. I believe they complement each other and reading BTDR after Daniel's Running Formula helped clarify some of the points made in the Daniel's book. After years of running at a highly competitive level and coaching, I really felt like I understood, for the first time, exactly how to design an individualized workout plan for an entire year or racing season with complete confidence. While the first four chapters are not for the feint of heart (especially chapters 3 and 4), they are well worth the effort. Even if you choose not to read one or more of these chapters, the remaining chapters of BTDR can be read on a standalone basis. Chapters 5 - 8 are filled with clear, comprehensive and practical training advice. These chapters do an excellent job of bringing theory and practice together. I also liked the way Martin and Coe drew on the training practices and running styles of various famous runners and coaches from Paavo Nurmi to Arthyr Llydiard to Haile Gebrselassie. (Of course, Seb Coe's training methods are discussed quite extensively since Peter Coe was both father and coach... and Seb was the best middle distance runner of his time.) BTDR also deftly combines a discussion of the art and science of running. If you are a serious runner, this book will likely convince you to periodically take your runners or yourself to a human performance lab to receive periodic testing. The only significant omission from BTDR was a more complete discussion of the effects of altitude training. They don't discuss the benefits of the "living high/training low" (sleeping or living in an hypoxic environment and training at or near sea level). Because the book was revised in 1991, I imagine most of the scientific data on this subject was not available at that time. This discussion would be helpful in their discussion of how to increase hemoglobin and hematocrit. I wish they would update this book one more time to cover some of the scientific advances over the past 15 years.

This book is tailored toward a small group of people, namely very serious competitive runners who plan to manage a successful running career. It is not for the weekend warrior who runs to lose weight, someone trying to run their first marathon, or attention deficit high school students who get discouraged because of the vast scientific knowledge contained in this book. It is a thoroughly researched, brilliantly done, scientifically based work that is probably the most complete book on competitive running ever compiled. I especially loved the fact of the 800m race being included in the strategy section, as a serious 800/1600m athlete is often left without advice on how to run the half, one of the most challenging yet neglected distance events. If you are serious, OR if you are mainly a 800m and 1600m runner as I am, then buy this book, otherwise purchase the Daniels Running Formula, the other `best' running book ever written.

The purpose of the book is to be a comprehensive guide to training distance runners. If you are serious about your efforts in fulfilling your potential as a runner you will need to address all aspects of training. For some that may mean having a scientific fundamental understanding of how the body responds to training. I'm sorry that some of the reviewers may not appreciate the first 4 chapters of the book, which focuses on the physiology of running. Running, like any athletic activity, is about training the body's energy systems. Racing 100 meter requires a different energy system than racing a marathon. Thus training for 800 meters is different than training for 5000 meters. That is why in BTDR you get basic physiology first and training theory second. You can understand the book better if you start from this basic premise. You will understand why running 5 miles at certain speeds will have different effects or how to peak for a racing for a certain period of time. The science aspect makes the book a tough read, but the real value is Chapters 5-8. If the book were to contain only the last five chapters then it would still be valuable. Yes, a basic understanding of science is needed for the first four chapters. However, I find it hard to believe that concepts developed in the later chapters like periodization, total body fitness, race strategies, and training management were not of value to some of the reviewers. Newton give cursory treatment to these subjects, Jack Daniels does a better job in his 'Running Formula' (and would be the book that I would recommend to all high school distance runners), but it's BTDR that really breaks it down. BDTR will get you thinking in a whole new way about your approach to running.I have to also say a word about the expectation that popular running books created for runner eager to learn more about training. Publications like Runner's World and the Running Times are known for their easy to understand training articles that outline how to get faster. Their publishers also publish books in this same vain. What is not questioned are the training philosophies behind the programs, its just a successful runner (active or retired) or coach giving the cliff notes version of their programs. I'm sorry, but a week in the life of Runner X does me no good if I can't understand where that week is in his/her training, why they are doing what they are doing (re: goals) and most importantly their training philosophy. I applaud the fact that they are reaching a vast audience of runner who really don't want to run a sub 4:00 mile (and that is needed), but I do. BTDR is not meant for them. Glover's book ' the Competitive Runners Guide...' is a good starting point but it is more useful to a beginner runner than a high school cross-country runner (different races different goals). This simplification has its drawbacks; it encourages the simple parroting of training programs

Of all the books on training runners, this on book offers the most comprehensive explaination of what it take to get to the other level. Although its aim is for serious runners and coaches, it can be used as a reference guide for those 'tweener runners who are not weekend warriors but neither national class or better atheletes. This is a great book that I wished were around when I was in high school. If you ever wanted to run that sub 4:00 mile then this is where you would learn how to do it. Great book!

For anyone serious about coaching the distance events, this is a must-read. Technically sound and practically written, it is a valuable tool in the quest for achieving optimal athletic performance in the distance events. Although it doesn't go into full depth of physiological concepts, it does more than an adequate job in this regard for most coaches. Certainly its sections in terms of physiology are much more extensive than most other books of similar subject-matter. But its greatest strength is its adaptability towards implementation in distance training programs. The bottom line is that it is a must-read for distance coaches of any level.