| Introduction | xi |
| Chapter 1 | Try It, You'll Like It! | 1 |
| Striving for Physical Fitness | 2 |
| Getting in the Right Mindset | 2 |
| No More Excuses: Time for the New You | 3 |
| Talk to Other Runners | 5 |
| Benefits of Running | 7 |
| You Will Feel Better, Absolutely! | 10 |
| Chapter 2 | Setting Yourself Up For Success | 11 |
| Choosing a Running Program | 12 |
| The Principles of Successful Running | 12 |
| Beyond Motivation: The Basics | 16 |
| Common Mistakes | 19 |
| Avoiding Injury | 19 |
| Chapter 3 | The Well-Equipped Runner | 21 |
| Running Shoes | 22 |
| Running Socks | 27 |
| Athletic Supporters, Jock Straps, and Compression Shorts | 27 |
| Sports Bras | 28 |
| A Running Watch | 29 |
| Other Running Necessities | 29 |
| The Runner's Log | 29 |
| Use It or Lose It | 34 |
| Chapter 4 | The Mechanics of Running | 35 |
| Assessing Running Form | 36 |
| Style and Mechanics | 37 |
| Breathing | 38 |
| Footstrike | 39 |
| Stride | 43 |
| Arms and Hands | 45 |
| Posture | 46 |
| The Mechanics of Running Hills | 47 |
| Runner's Recap | 48 |
| Chapter 5 | Time to Get Going! | 49 |
| Starting Out | 50 |
| Learning How to Run | 52 |
| Tips Before You Begin | 52 |
| Beginning Your Running Program | 55 |
| A More Advanced Schedule | 59 |
| Staying Motivated | 60 |
| Chapter 6 | Ready for Racing: The 5K | 61 |
| 5K Basics | 62 |
| Race Strategy and Goal Setting | 62 |
| The Week Before Your 5K | 63 |
| What to Eat and Drink | 64 |
| Get a Good Night's Sleep | 66 |
| Packing for the Race | 66 |
| Physical Preparation | 67 |
| Psychological Issues and Concerns | 67 |
| During the Race | 67 |
| After the Race | 69 |
| Chapter 7 | Don't Forget to Stretch | 71 |
| Stretching Before the Run | 72 |
| Stretching after the Run | 72 |
| Stretching Fundamentals | 73 |
| The Best Stretches for Runners | 74 |
| A Simple, Effective Stretching Routine | 76 |
| Chapter 8 | Weight Training and Cross-Training | 77 |
| Weight Training Benefits | 78 |
| More About the Main Muscles | 80 |
| Practical Weight Training | 82 |
| Upper Body Exercises | 84 |
| Three Great Lower Body Exercises | 87 |
| Abs and Back | 89 |
| Remember These Weight Training Tips | 91 |
| Run First, Lift Later | 92 |
| Cross-Training | 92 |
| Great Cross-Training Activities | 94 |
| Chapter 9 | On the Road All Year | 99 |
| Running in Cold Weather | 100 |
| Running in Hot Weather | 101 |
| Play It Safe | 105 |
| Running Indoors | 105 |
| Using the Treadmill | 106 |
| Shopping for a Treadmill | 108 |
| Chapter 10 | On the Road to Speed | 111 |
| Adding Speed Work to Your Running Program | 112 |
| The Risks | 112 |
| The Benefits | 113 |
| Quick Guidelines for Speed Work | 115 |
| Overview of Advanced Training | 116 |
| Chapter 11 | Advanced Running Workouts | 121 |
| Hill Repeats | 122 |
| Fartlek Workouts | 123 |
| Striders | 125 |
| Tempo Runs | 126 |
| Races | 126 |
| Intervals | 127 |
| Important Warm-up Procedures | 130 |
| Important Cool-Down Procedures | 131 |
| Speed Work Programs Based on Experience | 132 |
| Chapter 12 | Training and Running a Half-Marathon | 137 |
| Mileage Buildup for the Half-Marathon | 138 |
| The Long Run | 139 |
| Things to Consider while Running Long | 139 |
| Areas of Experimentation | 142 |
| When the Long Run Is Over | 142 |
| Runners, Take Your Marks, Set, Race! | 143 |
| Chapter 13 | Injury Prevention | 147 |
| Avoiding Injury: The Basics | 148 |
| A Look at Athletic Shoes | 148 |
| Tips for Buying and Wearing Shoes | 149 |
| Shoe Wear: What Can It Tell You? | 150 |
| Guide to Shoes and Foot-Related Problems | 152 |
| Stretching to Prevent Injuries | 152 |
| The Gait Biomechanics of Foot and Leg Problems | 155 |
| Chapter 14 | Injury Diagnosis and Treatment | 159 |
| General Guidelines | 160 |
| Inflammation Treatment | 160 |
| Achilles Tendonitis | 161 |
| Achilles Tendon Ruptures | 163 |
| Runner's Knee | 164 |
| Iliotibial Band (ITB) Syndrome | 167 |
| Athlete's Foot | 168 |
| Side Stitches | 169 |
| Dry Heaves or Vomiting | 170 |
| Ankle Sprains | 171 |
| Heel Spurs and Plantar Fasciitis | 172 |
| Neuroma Pain | 175 |
| Shin Splints | 176 |
| Medial Shin Splints | 176 |
| Anterior Shin Splints | 178 |
| Anterior Ankle Pain | 181 |
| Selecting a Sports Physician | 181 |
| Chapter 15 | All About Nutrition | 183 |
| A Nutritious Mindset | 184 |
| Carbodydrates | 185 |
| Fats | 186 |
| Protein | 187 |
| Water | 187 |
| Vitamins and Minerals | 188 |
| Fiber and Cholesterol | 189 |
| Eating Right for Running | 190 |
| How to Eat | 192 |
| Getting into Eating | 193 |
| Your Eating Habits | 194 |
| Chapter 16 | Are You Ready for the Marathon? | 199 |
| Deciding If You're Ready for the Marathon | 200 |
| The History of the Marathon | 200 |
| The Marathon at the Olympics | 202 |
| The Marathon Gains Notoriety | 204 |
| The Long Run: Cornerstone of the Marathon | 205 |
| Marathon Training Schedules | 210 |
| Mentally Training for the Marathon | 213 |
| Strategies for Completing the Training | 215 |
| Examples of Mental Strategies | 215 |
| The Week Before the Marathon | 216 |
| A Beginning Marathoner's Story | 219 |
| Chapter 17 | The Marathon Experience | 221 |
| Mental Preparation | 222 |
| Physical Preparation | 223 |
| The Evening Prior to Your Marathon | 226 |
| The Pre-Race Morning | 227 |
| During the Marathon | 227 |
| On the Course | 230 |
| Immediately Following the Marathon | 231 |
| Post-marathon Evaluation | 232 |
| Life after the Marathon | 233 |
| Scheduling Your Next Marathon | 235 |
| Chapter 18 | What's Next? Ultra-Running! | 237 |
| Ultra-Running Basics | 238 |
| Training for Ultra-Runs | 241 |
| Where to Find Out More | 242 |
| Ultra-Running Clubs | 243 |
| Chapter 19 | Girls (Women!) Want to Have Fun | 245 |
| Comparing Men and Women Runners | 246 |
| Fitness for Prenatal Women | 247 |
| Fitness for Postnatal Women | 250 |
| Osteoporosis | 252 |
| Menopause | 253 |
| Safety Tips for Women Runners | 253 |
| Chapter 20 | Running Away from Home | 255 |
| Packing Your Running Gear | 256 |
| But It's a Vacation! | 256 |
| Planning for Safety | 258 |
| Hooking Up with Other Runners | 262 |
| Running with Business Associates | 262 |
| Racing on the Road | 263 |
| Favorite Running Cities | 265 |
| Appendix A | Finding a Running Club, at Home or Abroad | 269011Appendix B | Magazines and Books on Running | 273011Appendix C | Running Online | 279 |
| Index | 283 |