The Nonrunner's Marathon Guide for Women: Get Off Your Butt and on with Your Training

by Dawn Dais

Book Overview

Anyone can run a marathon. Dawn Dais makes it a little more bearable--and a lot more fun Dawn Dais hated running. And it didn't like her much, either. Her fitness routine consisted of avoiding the stairs in her own house, because who really has the energy to climb stairs? It was with this exercise philosophy firmly in place that she set off to complete a marathon. The Nonrunner's Marathon Guide for Women is the ideal training manual for women who...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1580052053
• ISBN13: 9781580052054
• Release Date: January 2007
• Publisher: Seal Press (CA)
• Length: 249 Pages
• Weight: 0.78 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.5" x 8.2"

Customer Reviews

you will be inspired

i'm a nonrunner. i'm not motivated. i easily give up. however, after reading this hilarious tale of a girl who won't even walk to work (which is very close)and then finish a marathon, i felt absolutely inspired to start training for a half marathon. as a non-athlete i absolutely relate to every triumph and failure she encountered. she makes you feel like you can absolutely run a marathon in the least intimidating way. i recommend that every woman who feels like she can't accomplish such a huge goal read this book. i wasn't even running a mile when i started. i'm already running five, and i am so excited to continue on my journey!!

More than 5 stars

If I could give this book more than 5 stars, I would. The book is hilarious, accurate, inspiring, well-written. I wish that I could have written it myself. I wish I had this book when I ran the Tokyo City Marathon last February, which was my first marathon. It would have eased most of my anxieties and self-doubt while struggling to finish my long runs. As I trained alone, it would have been the perfect training partner. Ms. Dais has perfectly described in direct, simple yet intelligent words most of what a first-time marathoner will experience. Not only did the book bring smiles to my lips as I recall my own struggles and angst, it brought me to tears, OF LAUGHTER!!! The author presents a side of running that other books don't, especially what goes on in another runner's mind. Reading her book is almost like reading my own training log. Her apprehensions are no different from mine (e.g., not everyone looks good in spandex). Her marathon anecdotes remind me of my own. Although she included a training program for a half-marathon and one for a marathon, do not expect to see training programs, speed works, fartleks, hill workouts, leg workouts, or other training knowledge that are amply covered by other authors. Nevertheless, I highly recommend this book as a companion to the other "serious" books on running and the marathon, because this book will inspire you to go through your long runs; tell you that it is normal to feel lazy, that not all runners enjoy waking up early in the morning to run, that not everyone runs a marathon in 4 hours (I certainly didn't); will keep you company through those weeks of training; and more importantly will not bore you to death. This books is a warm, comfortable runner's friend. Enjoy running!

A Terrific Book for Runners

Dawn Dais would make a fine running partner. She has the two most important qualities I look for in a running partner: she's slower than I am, and funnier. It's nice to run with someone who makes you feel fast, and nicer still to run with someone who can help you forget the pain of running by making you laugh. Dawn Dais is that rare person who can do both. She is also smart, insightful, and realistic about running a marathon. I used to coach marathon runners and I wish I could have given my runners a copy of Dawn's book. I disagree with her that this book is just for women, and her view on running shorts doesn't quite cover the subject. But if you're serious about running a marathon; the Non-Runner's Marathon Guide for Women is a seriously funny book that will prepare you for the best and the worst of running.

if you read it, you will run.

i can't remember the last time i laughed this hard while reading a book. better yet, i am living proof that this book actually works. the author goes with an "I'm the lowest common denominator" approach to make you feel better about your ability to run (or hobble/crawl/etc.) to the finish line. even after she had made me a regular runner i'd go back for reminders about the good ole (couch potato) days. finally, a book to get you into shape without boring you to tears doing it.

Great Book!

The only thing less interesting than running is talking about running, but Dais has somehow made this hilarious!! I read the whole book in a weekend and ended up feeling very motivated! And many of the funny things she said come up throughout the day and are funny all over again...