Half-Marathon: A Complete Guide for Women

I love reading Jeff Galloway's books. This one is excellent too. I'm a fairly new runner - just started at the beginning of September and was able to run the Marine Corps Marathon 10K at the end of October thanks to this book and his training iPhone apps. Being able to run 6 miles with 7 weeks of training might not seem like much, except that I am a 50 year old woman who hadn't run, at all, since 7th grade, and I kept a consistent 11:00 per mile pace throughout the whole race and finished strong. I am now using this book and another of his apps to help me train for my first half marathon at the end of March. There is great info in this book about the run-walk-run method, training schedules, diet, even apparel. I am glad that I purchased it!

This is a great program for beginners and it is an easy read. I also purchased an app for his 5K training program which is great too. I ran my first 5k and decided to try a 10K. If all goes well and I finish, I think I will be training for my first half marathon. I am in no means the fastest runner, but I am not the slowest runner. This program actually makes it enjoyable with having the walk breaks. I no longer dread "running" days in my exercise program.

Overall, it was an encouraging book for runners using the run-walk method. I would have given the book five stars if the arrangement of information was better laid out and if it was explained better. For example, the Magic Mile process is explained in two places within the book. Also, I cannot understand how to accurately conduct a Magic Mile because the description is not explained well.

I found out about this book after completing my thirteenth half-marathon, my second with the Rock-and-Roll series (the first being in Virginia Beach, Virginia, on 3 September 2006), this time in Savannah, Georgia, on 9 November 2013. It is written primarily for the runner in mind but I find it was useful to me also as a speedwalker.Particularly noteworthy for the woman runner/walker in preparation or just after a race are Chapters 18 Women-Specific Exercise Issues by Barbara Galloway and 20 Troubleshooting Aches and Pains. At about Mile Eleven of my last half marathon I had developed severe pain in both of my hamstrings. It was helpful to know about the author's opinion as to causes and corrections. In the same chapter the author describes problems with Shins, shoulder and neck muscles, tired and tight; Soreness or pain in the front of the shin (anterior tibial area); Shoulder and neck; Knee pain at the end of a run; Behind the knee pain, tightness or continued soreness or weakness; Quadriceps; Sore Legs and Feet. I only wish the author had described the medical causes of residual pain i.e. osteoarthritis (degenerative knee) or Baker's cyst that might come with long years of training.A big lesson learned from this book is that training for an event is all important whether you are a runner OR a walker. There are a number of chapters to help prepare you including Chapter 3 Setting Goals and Priorities (Staying injury free--a training journal helps); 10 Half Marathon Training Programs; 12 Speed Training Programs for Top Performance; 24 Mental Training Programs and 26 Cross-Training:Exercise for the Non-Running Days.I really liked that the book also included chapters on the proper clothing and equipment for racing including an emphasis on quality shoes (Chapter 5 Practical Information: Shoes, Equipment, etc.) and what to eat or drink before, during and after a race emphasizing good hydration (Chapter 21 An Exerciser's Diet).This is a good book: outstanding for the beginning female marathoner and a very good review for those of us runners (or walkers--you can modify the training programs to suit your needs) who have been at it for a while. I would recommend it.

I am a newbie runner and had decided to work up to running a half marathon. Thanks to Jeff Galloway for creating a method that makes running semi-enjoyable for newbies and for a step by step process for finishing a half. So, far I haven't had any trouble completing workouts and am still injury free. No puking involved either! Written just for women and has great tips and tricks to make it fun. Highly recommend it and have already suggested it to my running buddies.

I am a beginner runner and am planning on running my first half marathon in Sept.. I just want to finish and am not too concerned with my time. The book has several training plans and recommendations for training, including a plan which focuses on finishing. I found this book very informative, it was not too technical or complicated to follow.I have several running books and this book was worth the money. I would recommend it to anyone starting out.

As I new runner who is planning on running a half marathon late October, I have found this book invaluable. it is written clearly and sets out the training programs for various scenarios. I have followed it carefully and so far have had no aches or pains and am well over halfway to achieving my goal thanks to Jeff's wonderful run/walk/run program. It is a very encouraging book and I would recommend it to anyone starting out running.

This might be a good start to Jeff's way of running and has some helpful features. I think most of things you need to know (as far as this technique is concerned) can be found online at either at Jeff Galloway's website or RunDisney.

This book allowed me to safely do my first half marathon in disney last february without injury!

Soy corredora principiante y veterana y sigo el sistema Galloway de correr/andar. Recomiendo el lbro para todas las mujeres que quieran enfrentarse al tremendo esfuerzo que requiere una media maratón utilizando un sistema y una técnica muy conservadora que las alejará de las posibles lesiones propias de la carrera de fondo. No solo trae consejos, planes de entrenamiento y tablas para entender el funcionamiento del sistema, sino trucos mentales para afrontar la competición y anécdotas muy al estilo americano, pero útiles para las mujeres que quieran entrenar la distancia de los 21km+. ;) ¡Pena que no esté en español ni en medidas sistema métrico!

She seems to like it. Personally I gave up running twenty years ago and have since felt much better for it!

Very motivating. Lots of useful knowledge from the author! I totally recommend it to all runners of any level! Such a great book!

Great book and really fast delivery :-)