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 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.

Note: I read the 3rd edition of this book. The cover picture and link refer to the 5th edition.

Higdon, Hal. Marathon: The Ultimate Training Guide: Advice, Plans, and Programs for Half and Full Marathons. 3rd ed., Rodale, 2005.