Martin/Coe's "Better Training for Distance Runners"

man, if it's anything like their previous, "Training Distance Runners", you DEFINETLY won't be disappointed! In the aforementioned book, there's some pretty scientific stuff in there, but there's some EXCELLENT stuff on training- lots of Coe's actual training and even example schedules. Were I not past my heyday and retired from the scene, I'd shell out the cash for sure.

I'm currently trying to get through this book. I'm less than half way done, but I would characterize it (so far) as an upper level collegiate course on training for distance running. Biology should be a prerequisite. If you've read 'Daniels Running Formula' and thought that you want a lot more detail on how distance running works, this book should do it. The part that I have read is brutally in depth as to how the body functions when running--from the skeleton, muscles, cardiovascular system, etc. Also I never thought that I would see the Krebs cycle in a book on distance running, but it is in here. Yikes was my response.

I agree that the book provides tons of good information but it's not particularly user-friendly for people (like me) who lack a scientific backgound. It's a great reference book but I think it falls short in translating the info into practical advice for training. Pick up the Jack Daniels book and you get easy-to-read training schedules, workouts, etc. Not so with Coe-Martin. I'd characterize it as a good textbook and reference but not much of a training manual.

I don?t think it?s any coincidence that above responses have mentioned Daniels? Running Formula as a companion text. Daniels is a first-rate exercise physiologist and his information is money. It?s very accessible and applicable, as Thirtysomething says. Especially helpful to me are the treadmill grade-pace conversion chart and the VDOT training pace tables. But if you are the kind of runner who keeps wondering ?why? after each succeeding level of explanation, then Martin/Coe?s book is the best single additional source. Yes, it?s recondite in places, but I haven?t found another single source that helped me understand as well how: different muscle groups AND muscle fiber types are stressed at specific stages of specific racing distances and what specific training stimuli produce the combination of neuromuscular and metabolic adaptations that are elsewhere lumped into ?running economy;? how: training periodization has its foundation in the delicate balance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems and that training (and overtraining) is as much about manipulating this balance as it is about structural and metabolic cell adaptation to stress; how: ?if speed is the goal of the competitive runner then we shouldn?t stray too far from speed in our training cycles,? and how to actually carry this out, and etc., etc.

These two books together are a superb practical training and racing library. In my opinion you?d only need other texts for the variety.

I agree with most of what's already been said, but would add that much of the actual training recommendations are based on anecdotal evidence based on Seb Coe only. The junior version of this book called "Winning Running" which focuses on just the 800m-1500m is nauseating in its focus on Seb Coe.

As a reference manual Martin and Coe's book is awesome and has more detail than you will probably ever require (if you even have the education to understand it).

If you want specfic ideas for training for middle distance events, seek out some other sources. So far I am fairly impressed with "Run with the Best" by Tony Benson and Irv Ray. It may have a slightly heavier focus on the 1500m and up, but their program ties many training philosophies together in a manner that is making sense at the moment ... of course I could be delusional.

Coe has a different book specifically for training and competing for the 800/1500. I have it too but I haven't looked at it in a long time (because I haven't focused on those events in a long time, not because it's not a good book).

Can't remember the title.

Regardless, I agree with the others here. "Better Training For Distance Runners" is a good book to have but mainly for general knowledge, not for specific training, IMHO

I've always been impressed with RWTB.

I have almost nothing but good things to say about the book.

The Coe book on 800/1500 training/racing that I referred to is called "Winning Running". I think it's out of print but it shouldn't be to tough to find a copy online if you are interested.

Number one your way off topic & number two PAIN by Dan Middleman is much better. RWTB was good not great.

number one RWTB stands for "Run With The Best" by Benson/Ray, number two it is much better than Coe/Martin, number three, buy RWTB and Daniels, get Coe/M from the library or somewhere.

I have Better Training for Distance runners and I think it is one of the greatest books on running ever written. Even if you don't understand the scientific stuff in the first half of the book, the second half deals more with training, lifting, etc. and can be understood even if you don't have a great understanding of physiology. If you don't want to buy the book, www.pponline.co.uk has a lot of the same stuff, you should check that website out too.

I agree with Howdy Doody. The books by Coe and Martin and Daniels complement each other nicely. You might find the book by Coe and Martin, by itself, to be frustratingly lacking in specifics about setting out a training program for the season.

1) Better Training was used as a text for Dave Martin's exercise physiology class (grad level).

2) It does lack specific, cookie cutter type programs. Instead of giving you a fish, it teaches you how to fish.

3) The second half of the book gets into application. The first half is a first rate physiology text.

While we are at it, I would recommend Tudor Bompa's "Theory and Methodology" for more information on periodization although the focus tends to be on strength training.

Better Training for Distance Runners is a great book. Packed with great information.

Another great book with alot of simple to understand scientific based running info is "The Athlete Within -- by David L. Costill, Scott Trappe". Really an excellent book as well and not as technical as BTDR.

Books that belong in every runners library, in my opinion:

Running the Lydiard Way - Arthur Lydiard

Daniel's Running Formula - Dr. Jack Daniels

Run with the Best - Irv Ray & Tony Benson

Better Training for Distance Runners - Coe & Martin

A Scientific Appproach to Distance Running - Dr. David Costill

There are others, but in those five books, so intelligent record keeping on your part and some experience, you should just about be able to figure it out. In the end...its not that complicated.

Keep in mind that "Better Training for Distance Runners" was written by Peter Coe and was based mostly on Seb Coe's training. Seb Coe, remember, was able to do extraordinary kinds of training without becoming injured. So be careful.