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The Complete Idiot's Guide to Running
Expert author team provides complete instruction on developing ideal running techniques.
Easy-to-follow steps gradually build the reader's abilities.
Includes expert tips on nutrition, reducing stress with exercise, avoiding and treating injuries, and entering and winning various competitions.
Easy-to-follow steps gradually build the reader's abilities.
Includes expert tips on nutrition, reducing stress with exercise, avoiding and treating injuries, and entering and winning various competitions.
- GenresNonfictionHealthFitness
336 pages, ebook
First published April 1, 2003
21 people are currently reading
68 people want to read
About the author
Bill Rodgers
34Ìýbooks7ÌýfollowersWilliam "Bill" Henry Rodgers is an American runner and former American record holder in the marathon who is best known for his victories in the Boston Marathon and the New York City Marathon in the late 1970s. His victories made him a hero and secondary fuel for the running boom of the 1970s.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
September 20, 2023
I read this when it was first published, during an earlier Very Serious Running phase of mine. A lot of the no-nonsense unfussy advice really holds up, and although there's more updated and specific advice available now online, this is a good introduction to running without getting diverted by trends and product endorsements (Eat gels every 30 minutes! Don't eat carbs! Super shoes! Barefoot running!) Above all, this book gets 4 rather than 3 stars because of Bill Rodgers' wonderful anecdotes about his running career and his warm, generous personality and genuine love of running.
February 1, 2013
If you are looking for complex or in-depth, this in an idiot's guide, so be realistic. It's a good book for beginner's, which I admittedly still am. I am not a complete neophyte, though.
Some of the information was dated, but that's to be expected considering the first edition was published in 1998. I felt like a lot of the information was not updated for this third edition published in 2010. A lot doesn't change about running, sure. But shoes and gadgets have changed a little since then.
Some of the most valuable advice in the book is very simple stuff. And a little eye-opening -- Like hearing a world class runner and Boston Maranthon winner say that all the gels, bars, etc. are an unnecessary waste of money. And he makes gadgets like GPS sound like fancy toys that give rich folks bragging rights (Not his words, but my own).
I checked this out of the library, which is what I'd recommend doing. You can take notes or photocopy the most valuable sections. For me, that will be the above info, plus some parts on stretching and simple strength exercises, and a 5k training schedule. The chapter on the various training workout types was useful, too. Once you know the basics covered here, I'd explore online whatever pieces you want to know more about or need more tips on.
Some of the information was dated, but that's to be expected considering the first edition was published in 1998. I felt like a lot of the information was not updated for this third edition published in 2010. A lot doesn't change about running, sure. But shoes and gadgets have changed a little since then.
Some of the most valuable advice in the book is very simple stuff. And a little eye-opening -- Like hearing a world class runner and Boston Maranthon winner say that all the gels, bars, etc. are an unnecessary waste of money. And he makes gadgets like GPS sound like fancy toys that give rich folks bragging rights (Not his words, but my own).
I checked this out of the library, which is what I'd recommend doing. You can take notes or photocopy the most valuable sections. For me, that will be the above info, plus some parts on stretching and simple strength exercises, and a 5k training schedule. The chapter on the various training workout types was useful, too. Once you know the basics covered here, I'd explore online whatever pieces you want to know more about or need more tips on.
February 2, 2014
I have a hard time getting past the insulting titles of this line of basic guides (and their yellow competitors), which is silly. The quality of the contents, especially in these orange ones, is all over the map, but in this case The Complete Idiot's Guide is the best general introduction to running that I've been able to find. Legendary runner Bill Rodgers, who writes in first person, and co-author Scott Douglas, who presumably ghosted the bulk of the thing, give a gentle basic introduction to all aspects of running. There's a little bit of everything from biochemistry to shoe selection, with plenty of encouragement for the new runner and the aging runner but also a little bit of a push that, hey, if you're going to run, you might as well ~race~. I've had a hard time getting much use out of other running books, but feel like I might be able to read them more productively for having made my way through this one.
June 8, 2012
Overall: well worth reading, but beware of some serious author ego.
As a beginning runner I feel that this book has helped me a lot. It provided a good baseline of information and I now have the vocabulary and resources to look deeper into the things that interest me without bogging down on any specific aspect, which is generally what I look for in any "primer" style book.
I will say however that the primary author (Rogers) was a bit quick to offer facts about why he personally was so awesome, and by the end it read like he was still trying to prove why one should listen to him. The book stood by itself, by 200 pages in he didn't need to appeal to authority to make his point. Admittedly he did absolutely earn every bit of that fame in his running career, but he makes that point quite well early on, no need to hammer that in further.
As a beginning runner I feel that this book has helped me a lot. It provided a good baseline of information and I now have the vocabulary and resources to look deeper into the things that interest me without bogging down on any specific aspect, which is generally what I look for in any "primer" style book.
I will say however that the primary author (Rogers) was a bit quick to offer facts about why he personally was so awesome, and by the end it read like he was still trying to prove why one should listen to him. The book stood by itself, by 200 pages in he didn't need to appeal to authority to make his point. Admittedly he did absolutely earn every bit of that fame in his running career, but he makes that point quite well early on, no need to hammer that in further.
May 16, 2015
You will see from my recent reads that I have read almost every book about beginning running. To be honest you may wonder why I needed to read a book on running, isn't it just a case of putting one foot in front of the other? Well yes but of me it was a case of getting the basics right, footwear, diet and all the things that could scupper my journey.
Informative, lots of good tips on everything including how to start running and building up to distance running.
This gave e the confidence to continue on my running journey and gain more insight to how to approach each session.
Informative, lots of good tips on everything including how to start running and building up to distance running.
This gave e the confidence to continue on my running journey and gain more insight to how to approach each session.
September 1, 2016
Wealth of information on technique, terminology and thinking behind running (that this low-tech, low-hassle sport is one of the very few areas where "my success is determined solely by me"), even though quite a lot of things are outdated. The ego of the author, however, is omnipresent, which was annoying.
One thing where I agree with the author absolutely is that majority of doctors "are trained to fight disease, not prescribe health", and so many of them are overly cautious or plain ignorant about the effect of physical exercises.
One thing where I agree with the author absolutely is that majority of doctors "are trained to fight disease, not prescribe health", and so many of them are overly cautious or plain ignorant about the effect of physical exercises.
December 28, 2015
A little dated, but still a good resource for the beginning runner. Skipped the marathon and other sections that are not applicable to me.
So, I knew this, but was reminded again that we burn about 100 calories per mile. Whether one walks or runs. Hopefully one can run more miles than one walks in the same time, so more calories. But still 100 calories per mile. So that Starbucks scone is the equivalent of 4 miles? Sigh.
So, I knew this, but was reminded again that we burn about 100 calories per mile. Whether one walks or runs. Hopefully one can run more miles than one walks in the same time, so more calories. But still 100 calories per mile. So that Starbucks scone is the equivalent of 4 miles? Sigh.
January 8, 2016
Has some good info, but a lot of the boos goes off into topics that , while important, don't deal with running directly (eg. eating well, other exercises). I did appreciate the section on proper stretches since I struggle with knowing what to do before starting. I also liked the tip on how to tell if you're pushing too hard too soon (you should be able to carry on a conversation at all times). The one fault I had is that the authors described runners toe but not how to prevent it.
June 30, 2011
A comprehensive look at the sport of running, with details about improving performance, preventing and treating injury, and training schedules. Well-written and informative. I especially liked the stretching exercises section, since I never knew quite what or how to stretch at the end of a run. Now I've incorporated nearly all of the stretches suggested in this book.
May 10, 2013
Not much really. Covers most things except, how to run! I would have thought something about pacing, breathing, maybe more detail about trying to land your feet under the body (mentioned off handedly only once) would have been good. And I only know about these from other books and talking to runners but the technique makes a big difference. There was a summary on page 37 but no other detail
December 20, 2011
This is great as a very basic, introduction to running. I was hoping for seething a bit more advanced, but I liked the chatty, friendly style and there are some great training tips here. Good overall advice.
September 17, 2012
Great book to read if you hate running but wish you could love it. Written by a marathoner who doesn't idealize running but is rather quite realistic and pragmatic and therefore inspiring.
It definitely got me up and out the door and I remind myself that "a journey begins with a single step".
It definitely got me up and out the door and I remind myself that "a journey begins with a single step".
July 8, 2013
This is a great book for a beginner... Nice introduction to terminology, etc. woefully lacking good information on technology... Also advice on many topics seems to be dated (e.g. Stretching, clothing, etc)
October 15, 2014
Written by one of my idols as a young runner, it is exactly what it says it is: a complete idiot's guide to running. Written in an engaging tone, it was a nice refresher for someone away from the sport for 30 years. It motivated me to get out there.
February 16, 2016
Basic beginners guide to running. Useful stuff, good reminders like upper body strength helps running. My goal is an Avengers race in Disneyland Nov 2017, so this season is going to be about speed work, I think.
August 25, 2011
Pretty good book with some info on running.
August 23, 2013
An excellent introduction for the novice, but also contains plenty of useful information for the intermediate runner. As for the experienced runner, I'll find out when I get there.
January 3, 2017
Great book to introduce one about Running as an life-long activity. Bill Rodgers is a world-class runner and inspires you about the love of running.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
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