For my 1st marathon, I did the traditional training…low weekly mileage and long weekend runs. My time was 3:55, and I felt miserable. For my second marathon, I used the Hanson's Marathon Method…my time was 3:28 and I felt and finished strong! What I like most about the book is the use of evidence based research for training. This book provides the "why" on their training methods. I use the word comprehensive because physiology, nutrition, running gear (including shoes), race weekend strategies, and recovery are all covered. Several charts are provided to understand the appropriate training pace and a beginner and advanced running plan are provided. I used the beginner plan and PR'd by 27 minutes!

Although I didn't follow the plan exactly as written (my schedule made me have to adjust some days and I did do a 19 mile run once), I followed most of it and it paid off in me completing my 2nd marathon with a PR 10 minutes under my goal and feeling great. It was easy to understand and motivating.

This book is great for beginners through advanced runners. With five marathons behind me, I classify myself as somewhere in between. And I learned a lot. After reading the book I was fired up about starting the training plan at the end, but I cannot make out the numbers because they are so small. Same goes for the type in some areas. I've put a request in to the author's Facebook page for access to the training plan online in a format I can read more easily. Hope I get a response.