5 stars (Essential training aid for first time Marathoners!) - I bought this book after deciding to run my first marathon (ran 3 miles runs casually prior to training) and just came across it while browsing. It's worth its weight in gold and then some. I am following a training program separate from the one in the book (mine is a 3 day a week) but the information in each chapter on mental and physical preparation (and expections for the week) has been right on the mark. I think that the book's best quality is the emphasis it places on mental preparation and techniques to use during runs. I've learned through doing that training to run a marathon is more mental than physical...and I assume that will hold for October 30th when I do the Marine Corps Marathon. I am not overstating it when I say I will owe my confidence and solid preparation in large part to this book. As some mentioned in other reviews, the actual layout of the book could use some work, but I just dog-ear the important pages so I can turn to them quickly. 5 stars (Invaluable) - This book lives up to its title. It truly outlines for the *average* person, how to prepare for a marathon. It includes how tos from the pros and testimonials and tips from novice runners who have used the book and class to run a marathon. I am currently using it to train and can't believe how well I am doing with its help! I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to do something memorable like run in a marathon but never thought they could do it because of age, weight, physical condition, or even not liking to run. 5 stars (This book changed my life!!) - I bought this book about a month ago, pretty much on a whim. I thought, "What the heck! I'm 26, I'm not getting younger, might as well try to do something huge while I still have health and youth." So I figured, why not a marathon? I am still in the first parts of the training, but already I have seen INCREDIBLE results! I never really ran at all before. But I we... McGraw-Hill :: Sports & Recreation & Running & Jogging :: Training :: Track & Field :: Sports & Recreation :: Sports :: Running & Jogging :: Running :: Marathon running :: Athletic :: The Non-Runner-s Marathon Trainer