Running your first marathon is something that is on a lot of people’s bucket lists. But what is the best way to go about finding the best marathon training so that you’re fully prepared? What do you eat? What kind of gear do you use? What are the best exercises? Olympic coach Andrew Kastor answers all those questions and more in his new book “Running Your First Marathon- The Complete 20-Week Marathon Training Plan“.
I’ve personally never been one to want to run a full marathon. I’ve run 5ks and that’s pretty much been my threshold. I do, however, know plenty of fellow runners who want to aim for a marathon or have run a marathon and wish they had better training which led me to want to review this book.
I’m glad I made that decision to read this book because after reading through it I’m encouraged and inspired to train for a marathon. Might as well do it at least once and if you’re going to do it once you might as well do it right. This book is a step by step guide on how to properly train for a marathon.
Coach Andrew Kastor is an Olympic Marathon coach for the Saudi Arabian Olympic Committee in Rio 2016. He also trained his wife Deena to a World Masters Record in the Half Marathon in 2014. Deena is an Olympic Marathon runner in her own right and was an olympic bronze medalist and American Record Holder in the marathon and half-marathon. It’s safe to say he knows a thing or two about training and running a successful marathon.
What makes this book such a great training guide is that Kastor breaks all the necessary steps needed to prepare, train and run a marathon. He takes the time in each chapter to cover the basics in detail including the proper running gear, what to eat and why, the proper running form, strength training and even spends time on safety and injury.
One of my favorite parts of the book is the strength training chapter. Not only does he include drawings and descriptions of the exercises he recommends. He also explains how they’ll help and provides 5 separate work-out plans to follow. All of the work-out plans can be done at home or in a park. You don’t need a gym.
Finally we get to the actual marathon training. Kastor gives a detailed 20-week plan outlining each day of the week incorporating all of the basic steps he mentions in the previous chapters. If you follow it to the core you’ll be ready to run that marathon in in 5 – 6 months.
I recommend this book for first time marathon runners and even for those of you who’ve run a marathon and are looking for a more comprehensive training program. This is a great and inexpensive way to train without having to hire a coach or join a gym.
You can get your own copy of “Running Your First Marathon-The Complete 20-Week Marathon Training Plan” here.
I received a copy of this book for review purposes only. All opinions are mine. This post contains affiliate links if clicked on I may receive a small commission to support this blog.