DoomBuggy Runner

If you are a runner, either new or veteran, I would highly recommend you run, not walk, to Amazon and order this book.  This has been one of the most amazing books on running I have found to date.  It is chocked full of useful information you can use.  It covers topics from beginners to advanced, so it would do any runner a benefit to have it.

Here are some of the topics reading through the Table of Contents:
Part I – Running Motivation, Running History, Running Gear, & Running Vocabulary
Part II – Building Running Muscles, Connective Tissue, Cardiovascular System, Running Powerhouse, Running pH, Energy Systems, Nervous Systems, Hormones, & Brain
Part III – Building your Running Approach, Training Schedule, Recovery, & Injury Prevention
Part IV – Building your Running Diet with Real Foods, Carbohydrates, Protein, Fats, Nutrients, Weight-Loss Programs
Part V – Build Your Race Approach & Race

So as you see it covers from beginning to end when it comes to running.  There are close to 400 image/illustrations to help you understand the various exercises and running strategies.  It breaks down the various training techniques (tempo, speed work, easy run, distance run, etc.) using a recent 5k time via tables to specify exactly what you need to be running in the various styles.

I personally found Part IV the most beneficial since I do not consider my eating habits the best.  It had a chapter on each of the major areas (carbohydrates, proteins, & fats) and how you should incorporate them in your running.  At the end of the chapter, it discusses concepts of weight-loss for runners.  As a runner, fad diets like no carbohydrates would never work with a runner since carbs are a big portion of your long run & race training.  This helps with how to manage eating properly & running while losing weight.

Another area I lack or resist is stretching.  The book discusses various routines to make sure you are stretching properly after runs.  It suggests more dynamic stretching; however, does keep static stretches as well.  One key routine is the Runner 360, which is an all-encompassing 12 minute strength training routine for runners that does not require gym equipment to complete.  There are 12 exercises you do for 1 minute a piece.  Everyone can commit to a simple 12 minute strength routine.

For injury prevention, there is an entire chapter on all the more common running injuries.  It offers a table with the injury & description followed by exercises (with page references) to perform to help remedy the condition.  There is not an exercise referenced here that is not thoroughly demonstrated through photos and outlines.  This is quite comforting.

The only warning I can give, is that the book is deeply based on science principles.  However, even when big scientific principles are used, they try to break it down into simple terms for all to understand.  Just keep this in mind when you start.

As I started out, this is an excellent book that I highly recommend.  It is in text book format, which makes it easy to read.  The chapters are relatively short so you can read them in quick sittings; however, I found that I could not put the book down.  In fact, one evening I sat down with the book and developed my entire training plan for the coming year to incorporate all the various strategies.  So rush out to Amazon and purchase it today!

Good luck in your running and I hope you find this book as exciting and information packed as I did!