Hal HigdonBesprekingen

I read this in anticipation of going to a talk at the Newberry Library in which they are going to show how the trial would be different in today’s world.
This book was divided into three parts, the killing and investigation, the trial and after the trial. Clarence Darrow was their attorney and had them plead guilty so that they wouldn’t have to have a trial by jury. He focused on sentencing and to get them life instead of death.

One of the best beginner training guides on the half marathon distance. Ha makes training for your first event easy and approachable with well thought out schedules and explanations for how to get to race day and have a great time.

A compendium of the best training advice written with humility. The nice part of this book is that it is free of dogma. [a:Hal Higdon|69749|Hal Higdon|http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1314017977p2/69749.jpg] does not claim to have the definitive word on everything. Instead, he presents the best available advice (as of 1992), and states whether it has been shown to make a difference. He also points out some things best avoided, or at least approached cautiously.

The books starts out strong with meat in the second chapter. "Scientists don't entirely understand the reasons, but an efficient oxygen delivery system - aerobic base - is best developed by training within 70 to 85 percent of your maximum heart rate (MHR)." (Page 17) He covers the relationship between VO2 max and MRH in chapter 3, then recommends using MHR because "I believe MHR is easier to measure and put to use. (Page 23) "it's debatable whether or not we know the best way to modify VO2 max, but clearly, high-intensity activity is a key." (Page 27)

" - the mythical dotted line around 90 percent of maximum heart rate (MHR). If you run above that, say at 91 percent, lactic acid begins to accumulate in your muscles and inevitably causes you to crash. But just below that dotted line, say at 89 percent, and all sorts of marvelous things happen to your level of conditioning." (Page 136)

"How does this training compare with race pace? ... Dr. Owen Anderson identified 5K runners as racing at 95 to 100%... 10K at 90 to 92%; 15K & 10 mile at 86% of MHR, and marathoners at 80% of MHR." (Page 146) ... Aerobic Threshold training "is a semiquantitative way to have somebody run at a point where they are at a high level of aerobic training." (Page 146)


At about 200 pages, he gets right to the point, and makes it clear; emphasizing from time to time that rather than follow a formula or script, best results are most likely to be achieved by listening to your body.

It is a 20 year old book and with no pandering to fads, and no axe to grind, it is still sound, solid advice on how to Run Fast.

better than similar books with 3 levels of training plans

If you are a beginning runner please do not be intimidated by the title "Hal Higdon's Half Marathon Training" go ahead and pick-up this book! Hal Higdon is one of the most generous and engaging authors on the topic of running and he has training plans and advice for people at all levels and all stages of their running life. The book gives some history on both Hal and the development and growing popularity of the half marathon as a racing distance in the United States. Most importantly Hal writes about running in an engaging manner that is positive and encouraging without devolving into hype for running as a solution to all things. The book includes practical training plans for all levels from novice to advanced and includes guidance for those walk a half marathon to those who want to go beyond the half and run a full marathon of 26.2 miles. Whatever your preference or level Hal Higdon's Half Marathon Training is a wealth of expert guidance and friendly encouragement that can get you to the finish line of your first race or re-energize your running enthusiasm to achieve that PR!

This is a solid book. My main complaint is that it could have used another round of editing / copyediting (at one point Hal used an 'I' where he should've used a 'me' and the face of my inner grammar Nazi melted). There was a banged-together feel to the first part of this book, kind of a "take other book on running, replace all '10K' with 'half-marathon', add chapter on history of half-marathons, bake at 450 degrees" feel.

Also, I don't like the "So-and-so's Such-and-such" title scheme for books or movies (lookin' at you John Carpenter and Tyler Perry!): yes, we know it is yours - your name is on it ... but that's a personal thing.

Still, that was only the first half of the book and it wasn't bad. The second half of the book, the training programs, are probably why someone would buy this, and rightly so: Hal knows his stuff and you can follow his advice and be confident you are doing the right thing(s). I plan to drop into the program myself somewhere in part 2 of the base training, and go from there. I'll let you know how it goes: I probably won't get to a half marathon by the end of warm weather THIS year, but next year, for sure.

Having run many half marathons using Hal Higdon's training plans, I was excited to receive this book through LTER. However, I'm not super thrilled with the book.

Firstly, this book is mostly aimed toward the audience of people who have never run a half marathon before, and also for those who have never run before, or who have only run minimally in the past. Many of the first several chapters focus on buying gear, finding motivation, different types of runs, health benefits, why run, how to run, etc. Those are all things that any seasoned running vet could tell you in their sleep.

Secondly, the training plans are great, but they're the same as the ones you can find online. You don't need to buy this book to find anything new. The training plans work well. I've used the novice plans, the intermediate plans AND the advanced plans and I've had excellent success with all of those. There was a very minimal section with base training, which I was hoping to see more of, and I find that the book is not well suited toward those who have done a lot of running in the past, could run 3-5 miles without problem, but just don't have a lot of consistency and want to get back into the sport after an injury. The base plans add an extra 12 weeks but they start with 1-2 mile runs, which may be laughably short for non-novices.

I also found the chapters to be confusingly titled. For example, a chapter at the end called "Tween" is not about training plans for 12-year-olds. It's about running several half marathons a year. If you're the type who would rather skim through a book rather than read the whole thing cover-to-cover, you may be misled by several similarly confusingly-named chapters.

Finally, I found the book to be too much regurgitation of Higdon's Facebook posts and feedback that he received online. If there's not enough content for a thick book, make it shorter! Leave out the crap I could read if I cared to look at your Facebook page.

I guess I would recommend this to somebody who has never run a half marathon before and would like to try, but anybody who has more experience may just want to borrow this from the library rather than spend money on a copy for their personal library.

Great for both beginners and seasoned runners. Informational and easy to read. I am a runner and have completed many half marathons. This was a useful guide to improving my running. My husband also read the book and he will complete his first half marathon in June. We both enjoyed this book.

Lots of great information if you are looking to run 13.1 miles, whether you are a beginner or someone who has been running for a long time. Thanks so much for the Advanced Copy!

I was thrilled with the book. Hal Higdon is a great ambassador for the sport plus he's knowledgeable. I love that he offers a variety of training plans but also explains how to adapt them or start your own. He also explains some of the science behind the options and why you should be doing what you should be doing. He also stresses consistency which is the number one, most important thing. I'm a marathon runner myself and loved the advise to novice runners. Congratulations Mr. Higdon! Excellent job!!

Last year I did my first half marathon. I trained for it only very marginally and without any clear plan. I finished decently, but set an in-my-head goal of training with intention. I do have several training apps on my phone and have seen/tried training programs I found online. When I saw this book - since it is specific to the half - I was excited to read it.

On the whole, whether you're just playing with the idea of a half marathon, you've dabbled and want to approach a next one differently or you've done several, this is a good reference book.

A few thoughts on the book in no particular order:

- Some of the most valuable advice is passed-through from others, sourced from the author's followers on social media. While that means the content is readily available online for free, it also means you don't have to go hunting for it. There's lots of immediately useful pointers on topics like what to wear on race day, how to pick the right shoes, safe(r) ways to run around cars and more.

- The author's writing style is casual and conversational, as if he's writing a blog ("OMG," "sorry to be sexist, but...). It reads like he's talking to you directly. If this style bothers you, look elsewhere.

- This isn't a book that requires reading cover to cover. I read some, skimmed some and skipped other parts entirely. For example, chapter two covers the history of the half marathon. If, like me, you don't care about that at all it's easily skipped and there's still plenty of other valuable content.

- Regardless of your skill level, there are plenty of training plans that are easily customizable to your needs. There is even a portion of the book that talks to half marathon walkers and offers walking-specific advice and training. Many of the other marathon training books I have read ignore or minimize walkers, so I appreciated this doesn't look as walkers as less-than-runners.

All in all, recommended. It takes initiative to make changes, but this is a book that will guide and encourage when you're ready to bite off a fitness goal.

I'll be honest - I read this in sporadic fits. I didn't sit down and read huge chapters all at once, but rather only a few pages at a time. Yes, Hal Higdon is a master at the marathon. Yes, he has run hundreds of races all over the world. Yes, he deserves all the accolades showered on him. But, but. But! It's a little off-putting when he's the one tooting his own horn. In the beginning his statistics on how many visitors his website gets, how many people download his marathon plans, and on and on got a little wearisome. His stories of besting other runners left a bad taste in my mouth (one incident in particular - a runner passed him during a marathon and was really excited to have "beaten" the great Higdon. Higdon couldn't let the runner bask in this feat and instead assured the man he wasn't racing this marathon but simply running it.) Having said all that, this is not a book that should be ignored. By all means, if you are planning to run a marathon, read this book. I'll say it again, read this book. It's a wealth of important information. Everything from nutrition to cross training is there (all the typical information)...and even some advice you might not expect, like a training plan for women designed to work around that time of the month. Yes ladies, there is a plan for your period. So, hubris aside, this is a great resource for every kind of runner.½

As a runner training for marathons, I found this book extremely touching. You felt you were there to experience the whirlwind of emotions from the actual run to the tragedy that ended the marathon. Well done, Mr. Higdon. You are always an inspiration.

I'm running my first marathon on February and this book gave me basic knowledge of how to approach this goal and how to organize myself for it. It's an excellent book for first time marathoners, however it's like a lecture. Don't expect too much specific information, it's more on the anecdotal than practical. Also, if you're a first time marathoner who's reading this bool, go to the authors website and use one of it's marathon and half marathon training plans as they go perfect with the base information you'll get from the book.

Higdon's book is an enjoyable read despite the seriousness of the subject matter. The runner's perspective that this book provides gives a real feel for the amazing experience that is participating in the Boston Marathon. This makes the tragedy that unfolded there that much more shocking. Yet Higdon's book provides an optimistic riposte to those who would try to damage the sport of running through the tales of bravery determination and joy that the marathon engenders. It is an enjoyable read and certainly recommended.

*Disclaimer - I received a free review copy of this book through Goodreads First Reads.

I didn't really get into this book as much. It was interesting, but didn't really "grab" me. But then I gave it to my husband, who's not usually much of a reader, but runs more than I do, and he ate it up! Maybe I need to set down my books and get off the couch more often, and then try again.... :)

This book was very interesting. It told the story of the Boston Marathon through the eyes of the runners. As someone who has volunteered for races, but never fully ran one myself, it was different to see all that the runners were going through. The emotions the runners displayed were instinctive, human and reminded me of my own reaction on 9/11. That it was a book compiled from the actual runners made it even more interesting, I liked that it focused on the race and not so much the events of that afternoon. I have gained a new appreciation for marathon runners, and while I may never personally complete a full one, I certainly respect those that do.

I am not anywhere near being physically capable of running a marathon, but this book makes me want to seriously consider jogging, at least. I thought the book would be about the aftermath of the bombings, but it's not. It's what happened before and during the race - and in great detail. I had no idea the Boston Marathon was so... intense and physically grueling. Runners of the 2013 marathon tell their stories - and these are stories worth reading, even for us non-marathoners. These strong voices of the running community make me want to run too.

This is a fairly short book, only 134 pages long. It focused on the actual race and not the bombing; there were only two or three chapters out of fifteen that talked about the bomb and the confusion concerning the topic.

Reading this book made me want to enter the marathon. Although I'm definitely not a runner and even have trouble running a mile in under 16 minutes. But, I too wanted to run through "The Scream Tunnel" and take on the hills in Newton.

Hal Higdon wrote in a style that I have never read before; he explained it in his words but they weren't his words. I don't even know if that makes sense to anyone other than me. This book went beyond my expectations, I assumed that this was going to be a drag and that it would be painful for me to read it, but I was pleasantly surprised.

The impact of this book was tremendous. The author took the reader through a day in the life of the runners in the Boston Marathon. From page one, I imagined experiencing this day with runners who had worked unbelievably long hours and endured much to get to Boston. Their excitement and anxiety were tangible. In the end, I could also experience their disbelief and denial that a bomb had been set off in their midst. Any reader who wants to truly "be there in Boston" needs to read this book. Absolutely outstanding.

This was an amazing book! I laughed, awed, and teared up while reading this. I'm not into the world of running, but when this happened my heart broke for all those who have died and were injured. It was nice to have the book be about the runners and others who were there. Their story was beautifully told by Hal Higdon and had such wonderful insight. It felt like I was running with them, getting nervous and excited. I imagined what it was like for these people running or spectating. I liked that I got sucked into the world of that day and what it felt like to be these people who had to experience this horrible tragedy. I felt bad for the runners who couldn't finish, they worked so hard, but I'm sure they were glad that they weren't in danger.
Runner or not I definitely would recommend this book to anyone. This was such a beautiful story and for those who shared their experience, my heart goes to you and thank you for sharing your story.

Enjoy the story and go with in it with full emotion!

I was very intrigued to read this book. It really puts you right there, as if you are running the race with all the featured runners. I enjoyed learning about the ins and outs of the Boston Marathon. I have never seen the Marathon, nor have I ever really followed it closely, so it was nice that the book walks you through the entire day. Reading this really makes you want to become a marathon runner! The training and dedication it takes to run a marathon is amazing.

And then we get to the bombs. I really like that the author did not dwell on the culprits, but instead told the story of the runners feelings and emotions as it was happening.

If you like nonfiction or the Boston Marathon, then this book is an enjoyable read.

I wanted to read this the moment I knew it had been written. I grew up in the Boston area and my workplace is just a few blocks from the Boston Marathon finish line. I was working from home on Marathon Monday in 2013, but felt like I was there at the finish line with the runners and spectators the moment I saw the news coverage. Many of my friends were running the race, and I also knew many others who went out to watch it that day. Higdon's book really puts you right there at the finish line with the victims and the heroes. The pacing of the narrative is beautiful; you feel like you are running alongside the marathoners and seeing everything happen before your eyes. You feel their excitement as they pound the pavement towards Boylston Street, and you experience their horror as they witness a sight many of them couldn't comprehend at the time. Very beautifully written and a must read for anyone who felt connected to the fateful events that took place that day.

Interesting read. As one who grew up in the Boston area, but has not lived there for decades, I was curious as to how Higdon's book would read. Boston is a unique city and I think that Higdon captured it's uniqueness and strength of character well.

I think this is a well written book that gives a true flavor of the runners and supporters of the Boston Marathon. From the time that 4:09:43 started there is clearly a feel of confusion among those who contributed to this book. I felt the panic and chaos with them as I read.

Hal Higdon created a heartfelt chronicle of the 2013 Boston Marathon seen through the eyes of many.

To preface this review I love the Boston Marathon. I've never run it, probably will never run it (or any other running marathon for that matter), but I've watched it since I was a little kid, still watch as much of it as I can, and that day I watched it until the WBZ coverage ended. And I think going into reading this book I was going to be really hard on it if it wasn't perfect, and yet at the same time I felt like I was also very ready to forgive it if it wasn't perfect. In the end, after finishing it, I think it wound up being written just right.

I wasn't sure how Higdon would pull off the many points of view, but I think that for the most part it worked and flowed well. The only small thing that was weird about the book was that it seemed to end a bit abruptly, and that jarred me out of the book a little. But, perhaps it was done on purpose?"

That aside it was a good book as well as a short and to the point one. And it did take longer for me to read than a book of its length usually does because it was very, very, very intense.