The Ultimate Beginners Running Guide: The Key To Running Inspired

Six years ago, I had to start running due to my employment. I never ran "seriously" prior to that, aside from in the playground as a child and teenager when I played pick-up basketball. After several months my employment no longer required that I run, and although I made great strides (no pun intended!) I stopped running. I started out unable to complete a one-mile run, and ended up finishing five-mile runs.Recently I quit smoking, and decided to replace it with something healthy and active, so I chose running. I enjoyed running when I had to run, and I bought Ryan Robert's book. I wish I had this information when I ran six years ago! While it can be as simple as to just go outside and start running, there are many things that can make the "sport" so much healthier and safe for us. Mr. Robert's book tells us those things and more in an easy-to-read format and plain language.From the benefits of epinephrine to tips on running in the elements, this book covers everything you should know if you're starting a running regimen. If you have some experience, as I did when I started reading The Ultimate Beginner's Running Guide, you will still find plenty of useful information. Pronation, the physical mechanics of your running stride and step, is covered in detail. Pronation is very important for several reasons, including preventing injuries and maximizing the physical rewards of running. Warming up and cooling down, staying motivated mentally, stretching properly, and so much more is discussed and presented in a way that is positive regardless of your current level of ability. The information is presented plainly and casually, making even the technical stuff simple to digest.My only complaint is centered around the several routines that are presented. The routines themselves are very helpful for beginners who might not otherwise know where to start. However, the routines are only based on running for lengths of time. I run for distance in my regimen, and after I'm comfortable with that distance, I then work on time for that distance. From there I choose another distance and repeat. I would have liked to see some routines based on distance as well as time.Overall, if you are not active and have decided to start running, or you are active and want to incorporate running into your routine, this book is for you. It's a light yet extremely informative read that I will recommend to anyone interested in running for fun, fitness, or both. Running has quickly become a special part of my life, and this book has given me a lot of direction to help me run safely and productively. If Ryan Robert writes another book about running, I will preorder it without hesitation.

I've written a review for this book on my blog, and you can read it here: [...]This book was so easy to read. I breezed through it and felt very motivated and encouraged when I was done. It's truly a book for beginners who need the confidence boost to get out there and get running.I think my only complaint is that Chapters 1 and 3 cover so much information and are so long. I wish they had been broken up into smaller pieces. It was sometimes hard to follow, because I didn't remember what section of the chapter I was in.I enjoy and plan to utilize his Visualizations at the end of Chapters 1, 2, and 3. This type of focused energy really helps me perform well.Introduction: Why Run?This introduction is super motivating. Everyone knows that running is a good cardio workout: that you will lose weight, lower your blood pressure, and have a healthier heart. The mental benefits are less concrete, but may be even more important: lowering stress and increasing confidence.Chapter 1: Getting Ready to RunThis chapter is very long, almost half the book (to 53% on the Kindle). There is a lot of information here. I mean, a lot. And it's good stuff. The tips on arm positions was especially useful to me.Chapter 2: Raising the Bar and Staying Motivated to RunIn this chapter, the main focus is adding hill workouts and intervals to your running routine to better your performance. The tips to stay motivated are all great ideas.Chapter 3: Nutrition, Hydration, Running in Adverse Conditions, and Common InjuriesAgain, this chapter is super long and feels like it should be a few different chapters. I always enjoy hearing different perspectives on nutrition and hydration during practice and races. And the tips on running in extreme heat, cold, and rain were right on. I tend to get shin splints, so it was good for me to read about icing and doing some cross training.Chapter 4: Running InspiredAfter starting the book off with a great positive message, giving load and loads of tips and expertise, this chapter gets back to motivation and encouragement. You can do it! And it'll be great!Chapter 5: Training SchedulesThese training schedules look good. I've already committed to a different training plan for my half-marathon in May, but one of these plans look like a great way to maintain fitness. I think it's better for me to be on a plan than to just go out and run. I need someone to tell me what to do.

Let me start with saying I rarely write reviews. However I felt obliged to drop a few lines here with my thoughts on this great book.I am a beginner runner and I have my peaks and throughs. My running used to be intermittent untill I read this book. It's very informative, condensed, concise and just what I was looking for to inspire me. No lengthy and boring paragraphs, just pure info thoroughly explained. What more do you need to get you started or push you that extra mile, two and maybe more? I need to look no further - found my bible...! Yes, it's inspired and motivated me to extend my distance from 5 to 10k most of my runs so far. Let me add I am a treadmill runner and actually one of my goals is to 'break the shell' and start outdoor running which I feel very positive and confident about. I know it's not happened yet but I feel I am on my last treadmill stretch and off I go.To sum it all up - very good book that helped me a lot with my routine.Thank you!2/28/12: I am still going strong on my running routine. I've maintained 6k distance for almost every run which is about 5 times a week. I can honestly say the author 'pushed me' to do it which I obviously needed and was ready for. I've become fulfilled runner but still only a treadmill runnner. Will keep you posted once I've hit the road.One more thing - towards the end of the book author mentions a 'free pdf' with training schedules. I did follow that link and put my email and my name but received no 'pdf' as yet. Anyone else looked into that? Any words of wisdom on the subject? Mr. Ryan - what's going on...?

I was totally inspired by "Born to run" and looking for a more practical guide as a complement.I downloaded a fair few samples on my Kindle and the Ultimate Beginners Guide was my favorite by far, so I bought it.I loved that it was accessible, easy to read even when it came to pretty technical stuff; and it was not repetitive (which is often the case with "how to" books).An excellent addition are the training schedules at the end of the book, adapted to different categories : active beginners with already some physical condition, non-active beginners, overweight people and +50 year old people.The schedules include days "off" and some flexibility. (My only complaint there is if you buy a paper version of the book, you can go download & print them with a code that comes with the receipt, which you don't get with a Kindle edition - bummer).EDIT August 2012 : according to other books I read since, and from experience, the training programmes are a little on the hard side, you might want to take it easy to avoid injuries!The author really kept a "keep it simple" attitude throughout the book. There are just enough facts and background to satisfy one's curiosity but not too much that you felt weighed down.There is however a major flaw in the book - well, there are several schools of thoughts on the subject... the author talks about a heel strike type of running, which according to more and more research is actually potentially damaging and less efficient long-term.That striked me as odd since he also mentions running barefoot as a good exercise. "Natural running" is closest to the way we run barefoot, or did as kids, with less heavily padded shoes, so your feet actually get to feel the ground and adapt - I found a great video which breaks it down in a neat 8 minutes, there's lots of info about that on blogs and websites if you're interested.

I admit that this kindlebook of The Ultimate Beginners Running Guide The Key to Running Inspired by Ryan Robert caught my attention because of both my desire and intent to consistently run at least one mile and a half at least 5 times a week by September 1, 2018 andor sooner. I am getting pretty good at consistently walking at least 4 miles or more at least 4 to 5 times a week yet something within me knows that I can raise the bar higher for myself. Aiming to run at least a mile and a half to two miles of the overall 4 miles at least 4 to 5 times a week is something that I know is more than doable to start out with because I have actually easily run 3 miles in one day before. However, as it is in the middle of summer I’m rationally aware that it is important to avoid comparing my progression to another’s progression offline andor online and that I must be realistic to start out with hence the mile and a half to two mile target goal. Some of the helpful tidbits in this kindlebook that is The Ultimate Beginners Running Guide The Key To Running Inspired by Ryan Robert: the author’s example of a running log, practicing on a treadmill, some visualizations exercises for motivation, keeping yourself motivated towards running goal such as listening to one’s favorite music while running andor joining a running group whenever feasible, recording your progress and goals in a running journal, and more.

I am a 58 year old male who has been essentially sedentary for about 30 years. I finally decided I had had enough, and I made a permanent commitment to a life style change. I decided it would be all or nothing for me...no half assing it. I have benefitted greatly from the simple, basic approach in this book and the overview of the various aspects of running. I have nearly completed the 15 week running schedule for my age group and have had excellent results by faithfully following the plan and listening to my body. I will be running in my first ever 5K race in about a month. Without trying to break any land speed records, I have seen my per mile pace lowered by as much a 2:30 per mile in this short time....without really trying. A great thing to observe and derive inspiration from. I have also noticed that my general attitude has become more positive...a wonderful byproduct.PLEASE NOTE: I would very much like to get into contact with the author, because I have a few follow up questions regarding my ongoing maintenance once I finish the 15 week plan. He is virtually invisible via an extensive Google search. If anyone knows how to contact the author, or to have him contact me, please let me know. I would be greatly indebted to anyone who can assist me. You may email me at: [email protected]: I now have the author's email that he has asked me to share with you, as he welcomes any questions you may have:[email protected]

I enjoyed Ryan Robert's short book on running. I'm a fairly experienced runner who's had a break from running due to a heavy work schedule. His supportive and well written style is great to read. The book covers everything you need to get you deeper into running, or to inspire you to get out the door for the first time. I would have given five stars if he'd used METRIC as well as old fashioned 'miles' which most countries no long use( believe it or not, the US in NOT the only nation on the planet). Fix the measurement problem and make it more international, and I'll give it 5 stars.

I'm in fairly decent shape - resistance training 3 days a week, heavy cardio 2-4 days a week, and mountain biking whenever possible. Recently I decided to get into running because it was something different to my current regimen. Never having been a runner before I've been looking for beginner's guides. Unfortunately all the ones I've gotten so far have been targeted at people new to exercise in general. Good information on basics like stretching, motivation, and goal setting, but nothing at all on technique.As silly as this may sound, I wanted a guide to things like how your feet should impact the ground, how to move your arms, breathing cadence, etc. I'm especially concerned with technique in that I have a reconstructed left knee, so I need to be sure any impact activity is being done correctly. This book was the first one I've come across to actually address those fundamentals. Yes, it still has quite a lot of information useful to those just starting to get active, but it doesn't limit itself to being a 'get off the couch' motivational primer. It also has different training schedules at the back for beginners, for active people just starting to run, and the elderly.It's a fairly quick read, so newcomers shouldn't feel overwhelmed, but at the same time it doesn't feel like anything was being skimped on. I hesitated to give it 5 stars, but after considering it I really couldn't find much fault with the book, so no reason to deduct. I wish it'd touched on trail running (since that's what I'm trying to focus on), but it never claimed to so no reason to mark it down for that.I've been asking various books : "Endurance isn't a problem - what the heck do I do with my feet?". This one seems to have answered me.

Good information but the link to download PDF training schedules no longer works.

good for beginner, especially the part of self-awareness.

GOOD FOR BEGINNERS

I chose this book right at the very beginning of my running journey. At the time I had no idea about running form, mid-strike or liner socks let alone Fartlek training! As I read, I ran and also learned along the way via a running group.This book is a really good read for those just starting their running journey. If you have a bit of experience though I wouldn't recommend as it is definitely a beginners book. All in all a very useful book.

Quite a boring book, stating the well-known facts, I just skipped many paragraphs, as they were not informative. The biggest disappointment is that the training programms come in strange symbols, so you just can't read it.