Book Review!
This was a really easy read, aside from how many times it included the word "physiological," which trips me up for some reason. I really didn't know what to expect going in, but I was pleasantly surprised by how thorough it is. It really does give you all the information you need to run a successful half marathon.
The book is divided into three parts: The Approach, The Program, and The Strategy.
The Approach deals with all of the scientific backing behind the Hansons Half Marathon Method. Simply put, it goes over the physical demands of a half marathon and how the program helps your body and muscles meet those demands.
The Program gets into the actual training schedule. From weekly mileage, to strength training, to speed and tempo runs, it breaks down when you should be doing what and why. Moreover, it offers three different schedules: "Advanced", "Beginner," and "Just Finish." These schedules respectively decline in intensity, as they are built with different goals in mind. From just wanting to cross the finish line, all the way to a sub-1 hour goal, it tells you what you need to do to get there.
Lastly, The Strategy covers every other aspect of preparation outside of running. It discusses stretches, nutrition, gear, etc. Some topics such as what shoes to purchase for your race is left up to the runner to decide, as it is a very individual purchase. Even still, the book equips you with the information you need to make an educated purchase.
I would say the main takeaway from this book for me is how it shaped my view of training for the race. Since I have never trained for a half marathon before, I wasn't sure exactly what to focus on more. Mileage? Strength? Flexibility? An even mixture of each? This method presents the argument that in order to get better at running, you need to run. It puts increasing your weekly mileage in the forefront, with strength, speed and tempo runs in the mix at strategic times.
I appreciated how this book tells you both what to do and why you are doing it, even if it did repeat itself a few times. I almost feel like it's a "cheat sheet," as it takes away a lot of the guesswork and gives you a detailed plan to follow. This is especially helpful for those like me, who have never taken on such an endeavor! I know this book is something I will be referring back to, not only for my day-to-day training schedule, but also for the wealth of information it offers to make sure I am giving my body its best chance for a successful race.
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