Review / Giveaway: Hansons Marathon Method

I was recently sent 2 copies of a new book: Hansons Marathon Method.

It was literally just published: it's listed as being published on October 1st, 2012.

The book is broken into 3 main sections: The Approach, The Program, and The Strategy.

The first section talks about the training philosophy behind the Hansons' Method along with some interesting science about what your body needs to be ready for when tackling a half marathon or a marathon.

The second section talks about their program and how (and why) they have the workouts spaced out. They share interval paces for different workouts based on your goal marathon time. Then they talk about the plan itself: they have a beginner and an advanced plan (and in the back of the book, they even have an "elite" plan). Most importantly to someone like me (someone who misses some workouts or has "life" that gets in the way), this second section ends by talking about modifications to the program that you can make.

The final section is something that is a little more rare in books like this: they talk about race goals. It mentions how to select race goals, what ways to add to your training (stretching and strength workouts), how to set up a nutrition plan for the race (and for the week leading up to the race), what to wear (even how to select a show), how to approach race-day itself, and even how to recover post-race (from just after the race, to a few hours post-race, to a few days post-race, to days and then weeks post-race).

Here's what Amazon says about the book:

In Hansons Marathon Method, the coaches of the Hansons-Brooks Distance Project reveal the methods they’ve used to turn their runners into race winners, national champions, and Olympians. Hansons Marathon Method offers a radical overhaul of marathon training that promises to turn any runner into a true marathoner and help experienced marathoners set new personal bests.

Hansons Marathon Method does away with mega long runs and high mileage weekends—two outdated traditions that make most runners miserable. Instead, runners using the Hansons method will gradually build up to the moderate-high mileage required for marathon success, spreading those miles more sensibly throughout the week. Running easy days mixed with precisely paced speed, strength, and tempo workouts, runners will steel their bodies and minds to run the hardest miles of the marathon.

Both Beginner and Advanced training programs feature the unique Hansons 16-mile long run which, as part of the Hansons program, is ideal for preparing the body for the marathon. Humphrey explains how runners should set their goal race pace and shows how to customize the Hansons method to their own needs, like adding extra racing, running more miles, and handling training interruptions.

Detailed nutrition and hydration chapters help runners pinpoint their personal energy and hydration needs so they know precisely how much to eat and drink during workouts, race week, race day, and for recovery. The Hansons approach to pacing and nutrition means marathoners will never hit the wall.

Hansons Marathon Method lays out the smartest marathon training program available from one of the most accomplished running groups in the nation. Using this innovative approach, runners will mold real marathon muscles, train their body to never hit the wall, and prepare to run their fastest marathon.

I haven't read this cover-to-cover yet. But so far, I like what it's saying. I'm ready to translate some of their training ideas to half marathon training. When I was marathon training in 2008, I was using the FIRST method, and that wasn't right for me. It only had me running a few days a week (which was nice), but I needed more distance. Hansons Marathon Method seems to balance things out a little better. I'm excited to look deeper at their "modifications" chapter on what happens to your body after 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 14, or 30 days of missed workouts, and what you can do to "loose" as little as possible. (Because we all know I tend to get injured or I tend to have busy weeks at school.)

My copy of Hansons Marathon Method

WOULD YOU LIKE A FREE COPY OF HANSONS MARATHON METHOD?

I mentioned that Velo Press sent me 2 copies. So I still have one to giveaway. All you need to do is "like" Steve in a Speedo on Facebook. I'll choose a random fan from that group to win the book.

There used to be a "Steve in a Speedo" Facebook "group," but they changed how groups worked a few years ago. If you "like" the new Steve in a Speedo Facebook page, you'll just get updates in your newsfeed when I post something - you WON'T get a notification like you do with groups. Cause that's annoying. Like people from Jersey.

So just "like" Steve in a Speedo on Facebook to be in the running to win a free copy of this book. I'll choose and contact the winner (which is easy because I'll just Facebook message you if you win) early next week. Thanks everyone!

And thanks Velo Press!!