What do you think?
Rate this book
The Ultimate Beginners Running Guide: The Key To Running Inspired
Book by Robert, Ryan
138 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
196 people are currently reading
237 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
April 26, 2014
For someone who perhaps grew up thinking they couldn't run this is a great place to start. There are some different pieces in this one - running in bad weather, thoughts on how to focus while running and get in the zone for it, and some generally good advice. My personal fave running book for someone who is going to do a run/walk or a C25K program is more The Beginning Runner's Handbook: The Proven 13-Week Walk/Run Program mostly because if you are starting from scratch I really feel like that one walks (no pun) you through it and holds your hand during the journey. Both are good - and great places to start. Run on!
January 16, 2018
This is the perfect introduction to new practitioners of the sport of running. For one thing, it's clear and simple in the format. But what I appreciated most was how clear it was in the writing that the author both loved the sport and has the optimism that everyone else can love it, too.
It's encouraging in the general outlook: "Running is essentially an extremely (wonderful) vicious cycle--the more we run the better runners we become; the better runners we become the more pride we take in ourselves, our nutrition and lifestyle; the more pride we have in ourselves the more we enjoy running."
But he's also very honest: "In the end, though, it's up to us to get up off the couch and get running." No book or set of information is going to make us into runners, if we're not disciplined enough to start and stay consistent.
It's encouraging in the general outlook: "Running is essentially an extremely (wonderful) vicious cycle--the more we run the better runners we become; the better runners we become the more pride we take in ourselves, our nutrition and lifestyle; the more pride we have in ourselves the more we enjoy running."
But he's also very honest: "In the end, though, it's up to us to get up off the couch and get running." No book or set of information is going to make us into runners, if we're not disciplined enough to start and stay consistent.
May 23, 2022
I'm new to running and was feeling overwhelmed with all the information to know about like equipment, diet, form, injuries, cross-training, etc.
I purchased this book because it literally says "Ultimate Beginner's Guide" on the front and I felt like I was an ultimate beginner.
Come to find out, I actually knew a lot more than I thought. Or at least, this book should be geared more towards exercise novices vs. running novices. It was pretty broad, spending more time talking about things like good hydration and positive mindsets than focusing on the specific topics I needed to know more about like cross-training, the right shoes for my form, etc.
I understand that the author wanted to present something that wouldn't overwhelm newbies, but I feel like this book was kind of a waste of my money. It left me with more questions than it answered. For instance, this book tells you about a few common injuries that runners can incur, but I don't fully understand what causes them or how to prevent them. This book tells you it's important to up your carbs and to make sure to eat plenty of protein, but I don't fully understand why or how much for my gender/age/body type, etc.
I don't recommend that anyone read this book and then immediately start running for the first time. The biggest thing I took away from this book is that there's a lot of considerations you need to make before you start seriously running including proper running equipment, proper running form, proper warm up and cooling down, cross-training, proper diet, and so forth. And this book does not fully prepare or protect you from the consequences of poor equipment/form/exercises/diet.
I purchased this book because it literally says "Ultimate Beginner's Guide" on the front and I felt like I was an ultimate beginner.
Come to find out, I actually knew a lot more than I thought. Or at least, this book should be geared more towards exercise novices vs. running novices. It was pretty broad, spending more time talking about things like good hydration and positive mindsets than focusing on the specific topics I needed to know more about like cross-training, the right shoes for my form, etc.
I understand that the author wanted to present something that wouldn't overwhelm newbies, but I feel like this book was kind of a waste of my money. It left me with more questions than it answered. For instance, this book tells you about a few common injuries that runners can incur, but I don't fully understand what causes them or how to prevent them. This book tells you it's important to up your carbs and to make sure to eat plenty of protein, but I don't fully understand why or how much for my gender/age/body type, etc.
I don't recommend that anyone read this book and then immediately start running for the first time. The biggest thing I took away from this book is that there's a lot of considerations you need to make before you start seriously running including proper running equipment, proper running form, proper warm up and cooling down, cross-training, proper diet, and so forth. And this book does not fully prepare or protect you from the consequences of poor equipment/form/exercises/diet.
November 9, 2021
This is a really great book for beginners, though I question the running schedules that Ryan Robert offers. They're not for everyone, so I'd just say that if you need to start at a lower bar, find what works for you and do so. Personally, I've had to start at a lower bar due to an autoimmune disease that I had a few years ago. The schedule that has worked well for me is the Beginner 5K Program found in Science of Running: Analyze Your Technique, Prevent Injury, Revolutionize Your Training.
Roberts offers some great advice, but since this book is almost 10 years old (at this point in time), so take everything with a grain of salt. Find more recent research, if you can. There's still some great stuff in here, including running visualizations. Worth reading.
Roberts offers some great advice, but since this book is almost 10 years old (at this point in time), so take everything with a grain of salt. Find more recent research, if you can. There's still some great stuff in here, including running visualizations. Worth reading.
June 8, 2017
Great place to start
If you used to be an athlete before life happened, like me, this book covers the all the basics. At 60+, I'm amazed how much we forget. Timing my workout is beginning to sound like the old days running for the fun of it. Sounds corny but me and the old man are really have fun and feeling great. Give your body a break, get in shape. It really is doable.
If you used to be an athlete before life happened, like me, this book covers the all the basics. At 60+, I'm amazed how much we forget. Timing my workout is beginning to sound like the old days running for the fun of it. Sounds corny but me and the old man are really have fun and feeling great. Give your body a break, get in shape. It really is doable.
March 7, 2019
Good advice for runners of all skill levels
I enjoyed reading this book as a person who needed a kick in the pants to get back out and actually look forward to my next run. Very sensible advice, and a very inspiring read.
I enjoyed reading this book as a person who needed a kick in the pants to get back out and actually look forward to my next run. Very sensible advice, and a very inspiring read.
January 4, 2020
A Must Have for Every Beginner Runner
Such useful information and advise I wish I had when I first began. Still, a lot of useful information to go into this year as I begin training for my first marathon.
Such useful information and advise I wish I had when I first began. Still, a lot of useful information to go into this year as I begin training for my first marathon.
July 27, 2017
I really liked this book. Good practical advise. Good motivation to get running or to keep running or to increase your running. I would recommend it to all runners. Go for your running high.
June 19, 2019
Very dry. I started skimming because it wasn’t keeping my attention.
June 30, 2019
Good advice
This book gives good advice for the beginner. Advice has been given in different mags like men's health, woman's health and running. All common sense advice
This book gives good advice for the beginner. Advice has been given in different mags like men's health, woman's health and running. All common sense advice
September 2, 2019
As a very beginner in running, I've appreciated this book very much. I've got all the necessary instructions and information how to start, what to eat, how often to exercise, so.... guys.... I started! :) Keep fingers crossed, I will do everything to stay in the game and become a healthier person! Good luck to you as well. Lukas
October 2, 2019
Pretty basic information.
August 12, 2025
Overall a decent book to get started on running
I think the plans at the end are a little overcomplicated and the pdfs are no linger accessible.
Some of the information is outdated as of 2025
I think the plans at the end are a little overcomplicated and the pdfs are no linger accessible.
Some of the information is outdated as of 2025
August 22, 2012
Over the course of 18 months or so I've slowly changed my lifestyle to loose 85 pounds. This involved gradual shifts in both eating and physical activity. Having stagnated on the scale (though the body is still shifting and adjusting) it has become time once again to make some changes in the physical activity and running a 5K seemed like a great goal to make that happen. I flirted with running a bit this spring and summer, but hadn't done any real training towards a 5K until recently. Upon completing some of the workouts I found myself with questions and thus have sought out some reading on the subject.
I've read a handful of Kindle freebie books on running. Each had a tip or two that seemed useful, but none addressed anything more than cursory overview. There was little substance to any given topic. This e-book delved a fair bit deeper. It still is very much aimed at beginning runners. Even my moderate amount of running to date rendered some of the information moot to me. But it did address breathing, form and nutrition a bit more deeply than the other books I've read recently. I also found the information on running in adverse weather conditions somewhat helpful.
The training schedules included in this book did not click for me. Mostly because I wish to cross train and not use running as my only form of exercise so running 5 days a week is just not practical. I've suffered from overntraining syndrome and it is not fun to go through or come back from!
That said, I am looking forward to a more in depth and lengthy book on running, specifically for women arriving at my local library for me to read.
I've read a handful of Kindle freebie books on running. Each had a tip or two that seemed useful, but none addressed anything more than cursory overview. There was little substance to any given topic. This e-book delved a fair bit deeper. It still is very much aimed at beginning runners. Even my moderate amount of running to date rendered some of the information moot to me. But it did address breathing, form and nutrition a bit more deeply than the other books I've read recently. I also found the information on running in adverse weather conditions somewhat helpful.
The training schedules included in this book did not click for me. Mostly because I wish to cross train and not use running as my only form of exercise so running 5 days a week is just not practical. I've suffered from overntraining syndrome and it is not fun to go through or come back from!
That said, I am looking forward to a more in depth and lengthy book on running, specifically for women arriving at my local library for me to read.
lemmed
February 7, 2017I don't think this was bad, it just never gave me enough to want to get back to it.
January 3, 2013
Highly recommended for people that is not trying to break any record but running for health and fun. It gives you the precise amount of information on everything related to running, from basic techniques, brief talk in shoes, food, suggested training schedule, etc. I've been running for a while, with no theory or coaching so far, and this little book gave me very direct advise useful for me right away. It improved my technique and gave me more motivation to run more.
January 27, 2013
This is a great overview of what one needs to know as they begin to run. I have been running about 1 year and this book concisely put together tips that I didnt know about as a beginner. Simple things like making simple adjustment to breathing and form can make a huge difference. It also has some basic motivational speak as well. Easy read but well worth it
August 6, 2012
Short but thorough book which talks about...wait for it...running. The title doesn't lie. The book covers running form, gear, and motivation before moving on to injuries and suggested nutrition. And it ends with a variety of training schedules. I found it quite helpful.
November 20, 2012
Read it for free from the Kindle lending library. A good read for those looking for motivation and a couch-to-5K type program. If you're already physically active and are new to running this probably isn't the best beginner's book as it only lightly covers running form.
March 4, 2013
Good tips. I'll be caching water along my long run routes. Never thought of that! Probably should start a better journal too...
April 5, 2012
very dry and hard to get through.
August 15, 2012
Good read if you want to start running and keep at it!
August 30, 2012
Good basic information but info you could find on the Internet for free. I was hoping for more inspirational stories.
March 20, 2013
very basic information. great to read if you have never stepped foot on a treadmill or on the road.
April 9, 2013
Solid info on getting started with a dash of inspiration. Would have enjoyed more personal stories and examples from runners but this was a decent intro.
August 2, 2013
A very good beginner's read.
August 5, 2013
great beginners guide. Really helpful information.
February 14, 2014
Lots of good advices. Truly for beginners as the author reminds you that what is important is that you continue to run, not insanely injured yourself by pushing too hard. Makes you want to run.
January 27, 2014
This book was full of great information and ideas for the beginner runner. I found it very helpful and motivating!
March 4, 2015
Very useful tips. Gave me a good understanding about training, cadence, injury avoidance, good shoe selection.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews