Complete Book of Women's Running (copy)

Okay, I do not do this, but this book is so good I believe the extraordinary circumstance is valid. I am talking about book talking a specific topic and not a general topic for all. It is a book for women on running called The Complete Book of Women’s Running by Dagny Scott Barrios.

When I start a hobby, I like to read everything I can find on the subject. Most people do this activity, too. I am going out on a limb because I think both sexes are intrigued with “The Biggest Loser” and the new “Losing It with Jillian,” so much so that people may be interested in losing weight the cheapest and fastest way through running. The finale of “The Biggest Loser” featured a marathon in Hawaii and a mother of two lost 36 lbs. in six weeks by training for a 5K on “Losing It with Jillian.” Running works and the only cost is a good pair of shoes.

If you started with this craze as my mother did in the late 70s and early 80s you are well aware of the classic, The Complete Book of Running by Jim Fixx. Mom’s copy was moved from room to room and she opened it often for motivation. Things have changed and it is better to buy something new with specific advice for genders.

One thing I was taught in track and all the books repeated into the late 90s was the basic foot strike. One must run with a heel strike and roll to the ball of the foot with a push off from the ball. Wrong! Runners today run from a mid strike that saves wear and tear on precious knees. Save the heel strike for races or the professionals.

Author Barrios never mentions the heel strike method. She does talk about the difference in strides for males and females. Women have a wider stride based on wider hips and research shows less knee troubles because women’s thighs are bigger. Hey, finally an advantage to bigger thighs!

Accomplished runners will get tips and drills to take it to the next level. She includes running schedules based on time and not mileage that is another shift from as late as 2000 thinking. Stretches, explained with photos, include two lower back moves not before seen. She has chapters for the pregnant woman and the older runner with nutrition emphasized throughout.

In this book you will find the motivation you need to get off the couch and get back into life. The mere movement of running stimulates the fun receptors in your brain and one feels like a kid again. Until the pain starts and becomes a means necessary to a slimmer end or um, bottom line.

Complete Book of Women's Running (copy)

http://maggiereads.blogspot.com/2010/06/complete-book-of-womens-running-copy.html