Marathon PR achieved - worth a try but it is quite a commitment
937598
Having run regularly for over 6 years, I have had the opportunity to compete in 10 marathons and tried a number of marathon plans. During this time I've tried the free 18-week plans available on the internet; run less, run faster; and I have even worked with a live coach. Up until yesterday, the only plan that helped me to achieve the most success was the one led by the live coach but after going back to him for my next marathon, I definitely found that there were limitations to how much he could help me (unless I was willing to pay him a lot more for his constant attention).

Now, I have to give the Hanson's Marathon Method it's due. Yesterday, the beginner's plan helped me to achieve an all-time marathon PR by nearly 8 minutes (sub-4 hours - finally!) at the recent Chicago Marathon. I had my doubts at first but the formula is pretty straight forward - run a ton (for me it was about 850 miles logged over a 20-week period). It gets a little more complicated than that, but that's the gist.

I recommend this plan to anyone who is looking for an effective way to improve your marathon running results. It covers all aspects of training and preparing for the marathon, so if anything, it is a great reference. Personally, I look forward to tackling the advanced plan (the plan calls for nearly 10-25% more mileage than the beginner's plan) for my next fall marathon. As with any endeavor, the amount of work you put in is equal to what you get out of it. I probably followed 90% of the beginner plan to the "t" but life got in the way in the last two weeks before the Marathon and I think that may have negatively affected my results - I think I could have run significantly faster.

P.S. I just ran the 2017 Berlin Marathon and trained using the beginner plan again but at a faster pace. As a result, I PR'd by another 4 1/2 minutes. If I ever have enough time to run the advanced plan, I'm sure I'd be able to see even greater gains.
2505465
This program really helped to jump start my motivation to move! It did not interact with facebook like it was supposed to, also did not always work with my playlist; but that could've been operator error. I still give it 4 stars! Yep, its that good.
3974383
I did not purchase this watch from Amazon, but did want to put my two cents in for a review.  I am a beginning runner (only two weeks), but am working my way up to 5k, 10k and (hopefully) half marathons.  This watch has been a great way to motivate me, by mapping my runs/pace/time/calories.

It linked with GPS satellites almost instantaneously and I have also had no problems syncing it with the Nike+ website or anything as some others have.  (I use a Macbook Air).

I did have some concern with the "flap" that covers the USB portion being strong enough over time.  I contacted Nike and they informed me that it would be covered under warranty if it broke - and I also purchased a SquareTrade warranty to supplement this.

If you're a marathoner or just a beginner like me, I would say try this watch and see how you like it!
526101
You can immediately tell that there was a lot of dedication and effort put into this adventure game; the graphics are outstanding, animation is realistic, the dialogue, both verbal and subtitled was translated in several languages including Spanish, German, French and Italian (and Blue Cheese!)
You are in control of Kate Walker, a young lawyer that has a very specific agenda of signing a deal for her company to acquire a long-established automaton factory located in Valadilene, France.  What seemed liked a straightforward, ordinary business transaction becomes an unexpected quest in search for a legendary man, known as Hans Voralberg.
The plot is intriguing, it succeeds in grabbing your attention, and the adventure unfolds in a very dramatic and cinematic way, but it doesn't really fulfils the expectations for people who are looking for a challenge.
The game seems more like an interactive novel where you unveil the plot as you progress, than it is a true adventure game.  Some puzzles are there to give it a sense of challenge, but the linear approach of it made them very simple to figure out.
The dialog is remarkable, and there is plenty of it in this game.  A negative side about it is that in between the entire dialog there are important clues for the adventure, so it is unavoidable to go through all of it in order to progress.  There's a button available to skip the dialog, although I would suggest against doing that as there are many instances where the dialog is not repeated.
4 stars for a great effort, and for the overall entertainment value, I took one star out for the lack of a true challenge.
948078
I pre-ordered this book and received it within a day of the release date.  This is NOT a how-to-run book, but it is a very well-written and very methodical approach to training for a goal time in a half-marathon event.

A couple of things to consider: 1) This method is based on an 18-week training window before your race date, and there are multiple admonitions to deviate only minimally from the plan.  So, don't buy this book hoping you will get its full benefit if your race is only a few weeks away.  2) There isn't a page or two you can just flip to and find "your" plan.  Goal time, fitness level and past running experience, body weight and expected running conditions all factor into the plan.

I quickly realized that my first read through wouldn't suffice.  I've since gone back through with my notebook and calculator to figure my own needs using the formulas and tables provided for training times and intensity as well as nutritional and hydration needs.

The reader should also know from the outset that this method of training doesn't look much like what you'll find if you search online for half-marathon training plans; there are six running days each week (except for the first weeks of the Beginner & Just Finish Programs), and no prescribed cross-training.  The creators and author are serious about mileage and the benefits of specificity of training: if you want to be a better runner, you need to run a lot.

Obviously, I don't know yet if I'll be successful with this method, and I have real concerns about making time for the almost daily training required to follow the plans here.  I do feel confident that anyone following this plan would make great improvements toward a well-chosen half-marathon time goal.
2148253
I completed my 17 mile training run/walk over the weekend, and I feel great!  The Jeff Galloway Method is working for me!  I've run several half marathons over the last 4 years, and with the encouragement of a friend, four of us have read the book and are following the plan.  It was a challenge to get past the mental block of letting yourself have the walk breaks, but they work!  It's a simple read, and a great method!
250657
Good account and background about that race. I still like Ben Johnson. Take home message, the gains for cheating are so great for both the athletes and the Olympics (in terms of maintaining a spectacular that can be translated into TV revenue), that you can see why it happens. The testing process is so under resourced, that athletes will continue to try and beat the system in the future. The amount of athletes that have now been stripped of their medals from the 2008 and 2012 games as a result of their samples being retested is a case in point.
816035
The six step process takes a while to grasp (as in reading it several times), but gives you the template to research your challenges in another arena.  Mr. Murray is proud of his victories and tells us so.  But, if you can look at his message of observing methods in completely foreign fields, it's possible to adapt & modify one for you.  I thought the book was motivating.
1849135
I used to run in last weekend in Buenos Aires Marathon. Was beautfull. Excellent. I approved and recomend for all person that would like to use for Marathon.
3949291
Since this book is made up of Kristin Armstrong's blog posts it makes sense that some of the blog posts resonated with me more than others.

The posts about how much she loves running with her friends and how running makes these relationships deeper and stronger really hit home with me. I totally understand that feeling. I also loved the posts about how as moms we are the biggest role models in our children's lives and if we never set goals, chase our dreams or share our passions they will never see our true selves or what we are capable of achieving.

I did not enjoy the posts as much when she talked about how she's not a fast runner (a 3:35 marathon PR by the way). Speed is so relative and my best marathon time is almost 2 hours slower than hers. To me she is SUPER SPEEDY. I wanted to shout at her to stop putting herself down.

Basically, this book is inspirational for women. I found many posts that will drive me to continue to improve in all areas of my life. I would recommend taking the ones that don't resonate with you with a grain of salt and just move past them.
455819
Once you cross that finish line, it will change your life forever.

This is the movie that inspired me to attempt my first marathon. The raw emotion not just from first-timers and running veterans, but from the elite runners, really made the movie. I found myself sympahtizing with Daniel and Deena in their personal and atheletlic struggles.

I never realized just how a marathon could change a persons life, as it so thoroughly tests human limits.
3161988
very interesting  we will see if it works....
signed, a fat dedicated triathlete
1489877
Great book!  It was just the program that I was looking for.  There is a lot of discussion in the book about people wanting to run marathons and qualify for Boston.  That's not my interest, but it does give training plans for a 5k, 10k, half, and full marathon as well as plans to try and qualify for the Boston marathon.

The book is based on three runs per week: a speed day, a tempo day, and a long run.  All paces are based on a recent race, not a goal pace.  I think the most unique thing is that the long run is run at a faster pace as compared to the typical long slow distance run.

I am just beginning week 4 of the 5k program, but I do expect to see improvements by the time I finish.
4002556
I had the opportunity to meet Greg last year and after listening carefully to him I understood that he really knew what he was saying and the heart he puts on what he does. If you are a runner and want to go faster, follow his guidelines and he will get you there. Gread read!
2048180
Mud, Sweat and Tears is the story of one woman's discovery of mountain running, and the self-discoveries she makes along the way.  The autobiographical account culminates in two attempts at the Wicklow Round in Ireland, the second of which was the first sub-24 hour successful completion of the terrain.  The account is fast-moving and compelling, full of self-disclosure and honest statements about personal shortcomings and reflection on her efforts and development, both as a runner and in her personal life.  Long distance runners will recognize many elements, and appreciate the reality described (e.g., wrestling with "selfish runner syndrome" and similar personal battles).  One feels the disappointments and triumphs along the way, a very satisfying read.  At the end of it all, one has a great desire to take a run with Moire O'Sullivan, and then sit in the pub for a good pint together.
1231111
This book was good in the sense it was easy to read, and offered good advice. The perspective of the elite athlete (The author) was interesting and enlightening.  The training plans are detailed and the book is quick and easy to read. I wouldn't recommend this be the only book you read to prepare for a marathon, but it is a good compliment to other books while your training, to help keep you focused.
2661854
An eye opener for a recreational runner thinking I always need to push it.