Lore of Running, 4th Edition by Timothy Noakes Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Lore of Running, 4th Edition
Book Review: A Comprehensive and Current Work
Summary: 5 Stars
I think it is important that readers understand precisely what this 931-page books IS, and what it is not. Dr Noakes is a trained physician, a professor of exercise science, and a highly published researcher in the field of exercise physiology. His meticulously researched book (the online references occupy over 100 pages) offers an authoritative compilation of the latest and best research to guide the intelligent coach or self-coached runner in the structuring of productive and safe training regimens. For those who lack a PhD in physiology but still want to understand WHY they should perform specific types of training, based on current research, this book is simply unsurpassed. If all you want is a "table" of training prescriptions with no grounding in research or explanation of validity, then look elsewhere: this book is not for you.In my opinion, Dr Noakes has done an excellent job of extracting results from current research and translating them from the highly specialized language of sports physiology into language that the intelligent layperson can understand. Indeed, I found the book pitched at a slightly less technical level than the popular competitor by Martin and Coe---a book I hve also found to be invaluable.
Perhaps the most interesting feature of the Fourth Edition is Noakes' unapologetic challenge of THE prevailing paradigm in distance running; he questions the widely accepted belief that an individual's VO(2) max, or maximal oxygen uptake figure, is the key limiting factor in distance running performance. In a carefully argued Chapter 2, complete with dozens of references to research of the past decade to support his claims, Dr Noakes argues for an alternative "Central Governor Model" in which exercise capacity is primarily limited by coronary blood flow to supply oxygen to the heart. I cannot even present an outline of this fascinating alternative model in the brief space allocated here, but suffice it to say that Chapter 2 of his book, in which this theory is developed in detail, is alone worth the price of the book.
In addition to the physiology of training, there are entire chapters devoted to temperature regulation, ergogencic aids, injury prevention and treatment, apparel (emphasis on shoes), etc: all of the usual topics with which self-coached runners must eventually cope.
If I were to offer criticisms of the book for the sake of balance, there would be only two, both relatively minor.
(1) Chapter 6, entitled "Learning from the Experts" offers training programs from a number of famous past champions who raced over distances from 1 mile to the ultramarathon. However, as Dr Noakes points out clearly and often, many of these runners, almost inhumanly gifted with natural ability, became champions IN SPITE OF their obsessive, unbalanced training programs, and not because of them. For the person of average gifts, emulating the training programs of, say, Dave Bedford (who occasionally logged as many as 160--200 miles per week!)is a certain prescription for injury (as it ultimately was for Bedford). I would therefore suggest changing the title of this chapter to "Learning from the Champions." The accomplishments of these highly gifted people all too often had very little to do with "Expertise" in rationale training, as the current title suggests, and far more to do with natural endowment.
(2) Since Dr Noakes is willing to challenge the VO(2) max paradigm so openly, I think it is necessary that he offer some guidance on precisely what differences to the training program his alternative Central Governor Model implies. It is not easy for the non-specialist to see what amendments to training are implied by this alternative model; perhaps an addition to be incorporated into the Fifth Edition?
In summary, if you are a self-coached runner looking for an intelligent basis on which to construct a training program, then this 931-page book is comprehensive and has no real rival. If, on the other hand, you would prefer a 5-page pamphlet offering some training tables for the beginner, then I advise you to look elsewhere.
Book Review: A great reference or a great read
Summary: 5 Stars
It's a great book as a reference - or as a read. The other posts have said it all regarding content, of this superb book, so simply: if you are new to running and are interested in a thorough read on running this is the book for sure. If you are experienced this may also be a welcome review, but it may get into unfamiliar and interesting areas if you are keen to understand more of the physiology and cell biology (assuming some advanced runners may lack this knowledge). The training schedules are always fun to flip through as they allow us to add variation, based on sound logic, into our running programs. It's a well composed readable book at a bargain price with a fantastic reputation.
Steve Pellerine
Book Review: A must for any serious runner.
Summary: 5 Stars
This book is excellent and an absolute necessity for anyone seriously interested in competitive running. Noakes covers all of the basics concerning the physiological and psychological aspects of running and presents them in a clear manner. The discussions about stretching, overtraining, and injury are equally useful as a reference.
The best part of the book for me was the analysis, in chronological order, of the careers of the great runners of the past and their varied methods of attaining world class stature.
It is hugely beneficial to study the likes of Newton, DeMar, Nurmi, the incomparable Zatopek, etc. The information on the great Bruce Fordyce, a figure not sufficiently known in the US, was of extreme interest; who would ever believe that an ultramarathoner could run a 5k that fast and do those speed workouts? It is particularly useful to study those among the greats who suffered from chronic overtraining and draw the obvious conclusions that are so elusive to many of us.
Any person who reads this book and thoughtfully applies its ideas about training (memorize the "Laws of Training")is bound to improve dramatically. The text will provide the reader with the theoretical concepts necessary to construct a scientific training program that works for you. The extensive bibliography and documentation will point the serious reader to points of particular interest. I have not studied the literature extensively, but this is the best book on running that I ever read and I return to it constantly as a resource.
Book Review: A must have
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a very good book with alot of references.Runners will love this book it has detail and easy reads.This is a great book to have on hand.Book Review: A whole lot of material.
Summary: 5 Stars
I have really enjoyed this book. If you are tired of scratching the surface of running in other books and want to know more about the different theories of chemical processes, theories on how your muscles work, how fatigue develops, significant figures in running history, and several different theories on training for various distances, this may be the book for you. Very thick read, something for everyone, but maybe too much for the novice. Almost a novel of academics for a college course. Great book. A must for a serioius runner's bookcase.