CBR Bingo 2: Bodies
So this is on the level 1 literal side in that Paula Radcliffe’s How to Run is very much what you’d expect based on the title. I’ve been thinking about starting to train for a marathon (first time) for a while, found one that would work schedule-wise, but I hadn’t found a training plan I liked. This book has a practical level of information about training that most other books do (including charts or various kinds), but I like the more flexible approach it takes to the training calendars, which it gives for 5k, 10k, half-marathon, and full, at a couple of levels each. The calendars directly say feel free to adjust the day based on your needs, which is something some of the other popular plans say to try and avoid. It’s not just the not wanting to give up my local 5k Saturdays in the fall, but also when and how/where to fit in stretch and strength work like yoga and barre (really good for core, fyi). The plans themselves are a combination of distances or time running, which is unusual; it seems like most plan go either one or the other.
I also liked that it has some focus on female body specific running (makes sense, so’s the author) and some randomly more detailed sections that I’ve seen before. For example, the how to tell what kind of shoe you need section has a more straightforward basic test for whether you want a neutral shoe or one designed for over-pronating or supinating (basically more emphasis on either the inside or outside edge of your foot. I’ve seen the wet foot-print idea before, but never with the diagram showing which print means what. I haven’t tried it yet, but I’ve been running in what’s classified as a neutral shoe for years. I also appreciated the lower tech approach to training for a race using heart-rate that doesn’t require (although yes it does suggest the purchase of) a heart-rate monitor, as well as the more detailed discussion of possible injuries. I’ve suspected that I might have an issue based on something in my left foot but only in this explanation of things like possible causes of arch pain does it clearly say injuries more associated with the back of the foot or heel like plantar fasciitis might be an option.
This section also explains the anatomy of a running shoe in more detail than I’ve seen before, although why it doesn’t include heel drop (which I already knew) I don’t quite understand.
I don’t quite understand why there’s no detailed description of good form for runs involving strides; basically strides means you really focus on form and adjusting it for certain distances. However, what that really should look like needs a diagram or better description; given the level of detail in the stretching section, which includes pre and post run, as well as dynamic and static stretches. Most of them are fairly common, but the recommended circuits or applications is something I like to have. There is a description of form elsewhere, but how to work that into a stride workout could be clearer.
I also have to note that this book is a tad dated; in the optional equipment section, for example, the I-pod or MP3 player is featured. Most people who run with music that I know either do so via phone or fitness smart watch; I personally do still have an I-pod, but it’s been a while since I’ve run with it outdoors. The author is also pretty clearly sponsored by a certain well known brand, although she doesn’t push that too hard. It just comes up enough in the recommendations to be noticeable.
Overall, along with prior knowledge and a few other resources, I think that this book is a pretty useful one for someone interested in getting into running or just improving, or as in my own case, getting ready to amp it up a notch for a new challenge.
