Athletics Books

I simply can't believe how well this book is written! A good sized, easy-on-the-eyes font (I've read a hard copy, 1992 library version), an easy-to-read and flowing writing style, and even has a bit of humor thrown in.

While not highly technical, it does explain all aspects of running in simple, clear, everyday English (of course, it does not cover, in detail, training for marathon running). Within the last couple of months, I've looked at and read about a dozen books on running and this was by far the best. A lot of other writers throw convoluted training schedules at you, backing them up with confusing and controversial "research." Mr. Higdon's recommendations are based on a lifetime of running experience. He also quotes a lot of other running authorities in this book (I mean a lot!), but all these quotes are brief, clear and very practical.

All that said, this book is not aimed at the elite runner. In my opinion, it is written for the beginning and intermediate levels.

The book clearly explains the process and importance of warm-up and stretching drills (applying dynamic flexibility for smooth running), running form, speedwork (feel the difference between fast and FAST), speed endurance, and such training methods as interval training, repeats, sprints, surges, strides, fartlek, up-tempo running, and power hills (both up and down hill). Again, I can't emphasize enough, all these terms are explained very clearly, without applying lengthy and boring technical terminology. He speaks to runners of all ages, from teens to seniors (he had just turned sixty when he wrote this book). He also touches on strength training and becoming your own coach.

Although I have said this is not a highly technical book, you will still learn about VO2 max, heart rate monitoring and training (i.e., training at different percentages of MHR - this section is very brief), anaerobic (or lactate) threshold, and the likes. And you will finally understand them too!

Mr. Higdon will even warn you about tying your shoelaces incorrectly prior to a race! - Very thoughtful and insightful.

(To compare, I liked this book much more than "Daniels' Running Formula", or "Galloway's Book on Running, 2nd Edition", or "5K and 10K Training" by Clarke, or even "Road Racing for Serious Runners" by Pfitzinger, etc. While these authors may be great runners, their books just did not reach or connect with me. However, a book that you may find helpful and a good companion is "Total Heart Rate Training" by Joe Friel. It fills in the parts that Mr. Higdon's book did not cover quite enough.)

If you are tired of reading dry, confusing, highly technical or misleading books (some giving instructions that, if followed, could cause injuries), do yourself a favour and read this straight-forward and highly practical book.

I FOUND THE BOOK LACKING IN BASIC INSTRUCTION FOR THE AVERAGE ,OR IN MY CASE BELOW AVERAGE RUNNER.MOST RUNNING TIMES ARE BASED ON PEOPLE WITH LEGS AND LUNGS.I PERSONALLY THINK I AM IN GOOD SHAPE.I RUN(AND ENJOY DOING SO)AND LIFT WEIGHTS ON A REGULAR BASIS.IM 5'11,200.SO MOST OF THE TIMES ARE OFF THE CHARTS FOR ME.I STILL THOUGHT THE BOOK HAD A FEW HELPFUL HINTS,AND I GUESS THAT IS WHAT THE AUTHOR INTENDED.THE CHAPTER ON INTERVALS IS BEST.BUT I STILL THINK THE AUTHOR IS THINKING TO MUCH LIKE THE WORLD CLASS RUNNER HE IS THAN BRINGING HIMSELF DOWN TO AVERAGE NICKS LEVEL.

The only book I have found on how to train for the short distance races. The 10K race has now become the most popular road race in a America with the 5K quickly gaining in popularity. Whether you are a beginner road racer or shooting for a new personal best, this book does a great job of breaking down training schedules and drills to run smarter and prepare for race day. Hal also covers nutrition for runners and pre-race rituals that have helped him compete over the years.

I found the previous reviews interesting because they suggested that this book was for seasoned runners. As a seasoned runner, I didn't find it extremely useful. It discussed things that I have already heard of.

Overall, I would suggest it to someone who has been running for a year or two and is now interested in racing but isn't sure where to start. It offers training insights without the technical jargon that seasoned runners, such as myself, throw around without even thinking. For those very new to running, this may be a little too much to think about. For those who have been around the block quite a few times, you probably have heard this all before.

This book was written for runners with at least a year of running behind them. Filled with anecdotes, it serves to demistify principles and terminology unique to the running culture. The training methods described are tried and true, scientifically backed methods used by today's elite athletes. It is very thorough without having the quality of a "dry" technical manual. Like Galloway's Book On Running, I find myself going back to it to brush up on my training.

A must read, great story of hope and determination that leads to the salvation of the Greek Nation during a ten year span of war.

Stylianos Kyriakides, champion of the Balkans, ran the 1946 Boston Marathon to save his country from famine. World War II buffs, runners, and anyone who likes stories of true heroism will love this inspirational tale of an athlete who risked his life not for personal gain, but for his people.

Stylianos Kyriakides, champion of the Balkans, ran the 1946 Boston Marathon to save his country from famine. World War II buffs, runners, and anyone who likes stories of true heroism will love this inspirational tale of an athlete who risked his life not for personal gain, but for his people.

The authors select their characters that are not characters, but in fact, human beings with the attributes that people around the world need to know exist(ed). They are real and represent not just themselves, but those they love and that which they treasure; happiness, freedom, love and living!

We all have our strifes and struggles, as do these characters. We don't all achieve fame or fortune, but in the end, if we rest with peace, we have achieved success of a good life.

Congratulations to the authors for yet again choosing their characters with those attributes so rarely found; strength, courage, and purpose.

Stylianos Kyriakides, champion of the Balkans, ran the 1946 Boston Marathon to save his country from famine. World War II buffs, runners, and anyone who likes stories of true heroism will love this inspirational tale of an athlete who risked his life not for personal gain, but for his people.

its a good bag, light and spacious. I like it. The only thing that stoped me from giving a 5 star rating is the straps have plastic clips at the end to connect to bag, i would rather like good quality metal ones. Also shipping should be as high as it is.adidas Elite Medium Duffel

I purchased the Navy bag and it is a lot better than other duffel bags I have owned. The shoe compartment holds my cleats and flip flops with ease. The inside of the bag is lined to keep out moisture. The center compartment holds a mini ball, size 5 soccer ball, shin guards, water bottles, and all of my spring season clothes, which can be a lot depending on Colorado weather. This bag is great.

I recently bought the adidas duffle bag in collegiate light blue. It is a wonderfully designed bag perfect for sleepovers, meets, games, camp, and more! There are lots of pockets in conveinant places, and a great size! I would recommend this bag to anyone, and I enjoy it very much!

my daughter loves this bag. the selection of colors was great and it holds everything she takes with her and that's quite alot.

I just returned from an Arie Selinger camp and it was terrific. The man is passionate about the sport and is obviously extremely knowledgable. He has spent the last 40 years thinking about the training and the teaching of the game. Whether it has to do with technique, strategy, training, mental game, or state of the game, he has an opinion which is more than backed up with experience and data. Lots of data.

The book is a little problematic in that the explanations of the concepts are a little too involved for the beginning coach. But the man is obviously the foremost thinker on the game that the American game has seen in a long time. You may disagree with his conclusions, but his attention to detail and his arguements for his ideas are very strong. He is a great believer in statistics and measuring progress, so a lot of it has to do with measuring athlete accomplishments.

If you are looking to get a book to help your kids with their intramural team, forget about this book. If you are out to learn to coach volleyball at a very high level, this could be the one book you need. Keep in mind that he has always dealt with the highest level of athletes and have had the luxury of training six hours a day seven days a week, so some of the offense are way too complicated, even for college teams. But they are good ideas which stimulated even more ideas.

I wish he had put in more of his unique training ideas based on the Asian training methodology, but that is quibbling.

I consider this book to be one of the best ever written.
The detail is fantastic.
I refer to sections every week.
I was just reviewing the section on spiking.
A few weeks ago I reviewed the team play on the down call.
Every time I read it I learn more.

I just want Arie to write a new book with his experience in Japan

Vic Lindal
Canadian National coach 69 to 72
currently coaching club (16 and 17 girls)
On Vancouver Island BC

I picked this book up shortly after it first came out. Back then I was a budding new coach. It opened so many avenues of study for me in my development over the years that followed. I can honestly say that without this book I would not likely have become the coach that I am today. It is in my library still and I continue to refer to it from time to time.

Arie Selinger is a legend among coaches, and this book won't let fans of the former coach of the U.S. Women's Olympic Team down. Whether you want to learn more about Arie's philosophy or to pick up some tips for your own game, this book is worth a read.

As a high school coach, I've implemented many of Arie's ideas into the program I took over 3 years ago, a program that had struggled for decades. And this season, I'm proud to say, we posted only the 3rd winning record in school history. A complete turnaround in 3 years!

Our girls now FEEL like winners, and players that's the first step toward becoming winners. Arie Selenger's Power Volleyball helped bring that change about, and that's high praise, indeed.

I bought this book for a public speaking my 7th grade students were doing. The book is detailed in her athletic achievements, despite harsh critics. It also delves into her personal life and life with cancer. Babe Didrikson was an intriguing person and Russell Freedman captured her life very nicely.

When asked if there was something she didn't play, Babe replied smiling: "dolls!" This intriguing book by Russell Freedman lets you in on the tragic and wonderful secrets in Babe Didrikson Zaharias's life. From hurdling her neighbor's bushes to winning world-wide golf tournaments, Babe's extraordinary life captures all young readers! How good can Babe get? This wonderful story tells it all with excitement and suspense. Enjoy your reading!

Babe Didrikson Zaharias: The making of a champion, by Russell Freedman. This book was great. It doesn't just tell about her adult life; it also talks about how she got started, like when she was young. She was always the tomboy type until she was in her twenties. As she got older, she had to be the center of all the attention. To tell you the truth, she was always full of herself, which wasn't always a good thing. Babe participated in almost every sport that a woman could do. She was good at every one of them, too. She turned professional in track and field, basketball, and golf. I recommend this book to any girl who loves to compete in sports. I really didn't have a role model until I read this book!

This book is an interesting, yet honest look at the life of Babe Didrikson Zaharias. There are parts of the book that are necessarily a bit dry, e.g., the explanation of how and why she tried to regain her amateur status after playing as a professional. Most of the book, however, does an excellent job of getting the reader to feel her seemingly boundless energy and determination. It also does a good job of portraying the limitations of the era on female athletes. It doesn't make them into tragedies, but it does point out that they were more "hurdles" that Babe had to overcome.

For those interested in biographies of famous women, this book and Freedman's book about Eleanor Roosevelt are both excellent additions to the young adult library.

This football game is still referred to in football lore and often by television commentators as the famous "10 - 10 tie". In the old days before BCS, who was "number 1" was determined in a variety of ways - usually polls by sports writers, and by coaches. And when #1 and #2 play each other at the end of the season - with legendary coaches (Ara Parsigan and Duffy Daugherty) - then play to a tie - and both send so many superb players on to the NFL,----- well it was a game to be seen and remembered.

The book captures the era of football in the early 60-s -- I was at the game and in college (MSU) at the time - and it is a great book for the pre-baby boomers, as well as the earliest of the boomers. College football had been changing, and continued to change, and this is an excellent snapshot of football and the times before all the Vietnam unrest.

My only problem with the book is that the author is, of course, pro Notre Dame, so some of his interpretations are subject to some questioning...... However, despite this flaw - it is a wonderful book for college football fans of this era.

Remember - Duffy said, having a tie was like kissing your sister! And also remember that the qb was knocked out by Bubba Smith and the runner injured himself getting off the train!!!!

This game is a major source of the rivalry between Southern Cal and ND, as ND had one more game - and ran the score up on SC. Interestingly, MSU and ND split the polls and each one received a first place.

MSU and ND remain a fantastic rivalry.

As a kid I remember listening to the end of this game on the radio. I couldn't remember why I didn't see it on TV until I read in this book that, because Notre Dame had already played in the maximum allowable nationally televised games that year, it could only be broadcast regionally--meaning those of us in the Pacific Northwest were denied live TV coverage (it was shown tape delayed here and in the South).

My recollection had always been that Ara Parseghian, the Notre Dame coach, went for a tie with a field goal late in the game rather than going for a touchdown--but this book corrected my recollection. Notre Dame tied the game with a field goal at the end of the third quarter and later narrowly missed what would have been a winning field goal with about 5 minutes left to play.

It turns out Parseghian was blamed for running the ball up the middle when they got it back deep in their own territory with less than a minute-and-a-half to play rather than trying to throw for a touchdown or to get in field goal range. But surprisingly no one blamed Michigan State Coach Duffy Daugherty for punting the ball away on 4th-and-four on their own 36-yard line with just 1:24 left to play.

I also didn't remember that Notre Dame's star quarterback, Terry Hanratty, left the game for good after their first possession with a dislocated shoulder, or that their star halfback Nick Eddy didn't play at all. All these years, like many fans, I unfairly blamed Parseghian for failing to win (and failing to play to win)this game.

But like Dempsey and Tunney's "Long Count," this is one of those games that is remembered primarily because of that controversy and because a game intended to decide who was No. 1 left that question unanswered.

I found this book to be very interesting as I compared the times detailed here (mid-1960's) to today. Society has changed in many ways, but the intense competition on the field is nothing new!

The author, as a Notre Dame alumnus, tends to bring the Irish point of view into his narrative, especially in regards to the fallout of Ara's decision at the end of the game, but this is a minor flaw and I enjoyed the book very much. If you are at all interested in the history of college football, and historic moments, this book is for you.

If you're a Michigan State or Notre Dame football fan, this book is a must-read. Celizic does a great job of describing the mounting anticipation and excitement in both South Bend and East Lansing throughout the fall of 1966. More than the game itself or the mood on the campuses, the book has some fantastic biographical information on the teams' stars, such as Terry Hanratty and Charlie "Mad Dog" Thornhill. Read this book in August and you'll get excited about the upcoming college football season or the MSU/ND match, which is usually a fantastic game.

After all these years, and a million other books on the subject published in its wake, Fred Hatfield's seminal tome remains one of the best sources of information for anyone interested in serious weight training. The junk science, fad workouts and dubious nutrition suggestions which are commonplace in most other bodybuilding books (lets face it, most muscleheads aren't geniuses) are delightfully absent here, and virtually all the information is stuff you can rely on. If the language is too "difficult" for you, find somebody literate to read it to you! But by all means, get it.

This book is full of good information, and I am a big fan of Dr Hatfield. But at times this can be a difficult read. It is like reading a text book and some of the workout applications are difficult to follow.

Being an engineer, I like numbers and Dr. Harfield's book lays out a beginner's course by the numbers; what to do, how much, and how to recognize when you're overtrained. It was great for me.

I have purchased many books on bodybuilding and some are better than others when it comes to the training. However, I have found none that compared to this intelligently written book that discussed the importance of strength training in one's OVERALL health, nor has any book given such a clear example of WHY bodybuilding can be such an important path to a person's MENTAL, health and outlook. This book has been a goldmine of motivation for me....and has given me the REASONS why bodybuilding can be such a wonderful sport to be involved in.....far beyond the aesthetics.

Rodgers and Douglas do a fine job demystifying the sport of running. This book is very accessible and easy to read. Like other books in the series, it's structured so that you can read short portions and come back to it at a later time.

One key principle in the book is that you need to build up your endurance slowly. If you push yourself too hard at the start, you'll be sore and miserable, and you run an increased chance for injury. Together, these are a major disincentive to ever run again! Building incrementally gives your body time to adjust to the stresses of running.
The authors also emphasize stretching, which I've found to be very helpful in preventing soreness and injury.

The best thing I can say about this book is that it works. I've personally worked my way through Rodgers and Douglas's plan where you build up to 30 minutes of running. Now I've been running for over a year and a half. At the 6 month mark, I got to the point of running 6 miles at a stretch, and I did my first 5K in May. I've since decreased my distance, but I'm working back up to the 10K mark again. I feel proud of myself for going from nothing to 10K.

Other resources (e.g. Runner's World magazine) can be overwhelming for all of their sophistication. I'm thankful for this book because it gave me a goal, a plan, and lots of good advice and encouragement along the way.

Wow, I was laid flat when I opened up this book. These pages are really serious about running. And they haven't returned yet.

I've been an endurance trial runner for many years but after a stress-related leg injury took me off the circuit a friend of mine bought this book for me as a joke. Common sense may be a luxury but at least we can buy it in the nearest bookstore. Technique was my problem...and probably shoes too. And I laughed while a learned. The marathon veteran that wrote the book gives a few antidotes as to the progression of Runner culture through the decades. (I'm so happy we runners have gotten past the leotard, spandex-wearing, hairy,shirtless Mr. America jogger years) I'm happy to report that I've been back in the woods and running my normal pace for a month now after Way Too Long Off. This book was very helpful in my recovery.

This is yet another fantastic book in the "Idiot's Guides" series. Like all other Idiot's Guides, the book is written is a user-friendly style and format. Neatly divided into five parts, this book describes what running is, where and when to run, reasons for running, running apparel and equipment, injuries, training tips, and a lot more. Bill Rodgers, who himself was a runner who won the Boston Marathon multiple times, did a fairly great job presenting the sport of running. The tips that are given in this book are invaluable for runners.

However, this book is by no means an all-inclusive guide to endurance running. This book tends to be aimed towards amateur road racers and novice runners and not so much for track athletes, high school cross-country runners, or experienced competitive runners who are looking for advanced racing strategy tips. Also, this book is not for people who are running because they want to burn a specific amount of calories for weight loss. If you are a serious, competitive runner looking for some serious coaching tips, The Competitive Runner's Handbook might be better for you. Overall, Bill Rodgers has intended this book to be a book on amateur running in general. If you want to sprint, or if you want to be top 10 in a college cross-country invitational, something else might do the job better.

if information like "studies suggest exercising helps you live longer and better" is new and helpful to you, then this book is as good as any. I only made through the first half of this before giving up as a waste of time, so I stand open to correction from somone that struggled through the entire thing, but there was simply no there there. No new insights or interesting research studies in this. I could have written this book, and I have no expertise whatsoever in this field.

This was a good read. As a busy professional, it's easy to forget to incorporate the healthy things into life because "busy" just seems to take over. This book not only offers ways to "fit" them in, but I read it months ago and the tips have stuck with me.

Fit To Lead is an absolute must-read. It brings together a synergistic blend of data and concepts that are substantiated by genuine research data (not just "a new idea that ought to sell"). The concept is laid out in a manner that is doable for even the busiest executive. It is informative, motivational, and right to the point (another plus for busy people).

The title may be just the positive suggestion to establish some necessary life extending and enhancing strategies. Well written, organized and researched without being tedious, it's a great book to loan out or give to the people you care about.

If you enjoyed the Oscar winning movie Chariots of Fire, you will probably also enjoy this biography of Eric Liddell, the Scottish sprinter whose refusal to run on a Sunday - even in the Olympics - drew headlines. More than just a successful athlete (who did win the Olympic gold medal in the 400 meters in world record time), Liddell was a man of strong character and religious convictions. His selfless actions were a constant source of inspiration to others. This book is neither boring nor long and can be read with pleasure.

Eric Liddell is the "Flying Scotsman". This nick name comes from the name given to the fast steam train which did the Edinburgh to London route. Eric was fast too - a fast 100 and 400 metres track runner. His exploits at the 1924 Olympics are sketched out in the classic film "Chariots of Fire".

This is one of the few books I've read through more than once. But you don't really get to know, even in this well written book, the real driving force behind Eric Liddell; though the book makes you aware of it by emphasising its enigma. Really, the truth is, that he knew how to dwell in the secret place of the Most High (see Psalm 91).

Sally Magnusson is, or was, a TV personality in Britain. I can always remember thinking every time she came on the screen: "What a beautiful soul". Whatever Sally's sympathies with Christianity might be, it is interesting that time and time again, she reflects on this self same quality of Eric Liddel: the beauty of his soul. She weaves this theme into the comprehensive and intimate account of his life.

Now, it may be true that many loved this man because he excelled in sport (running and rugby), but there is equally no doubt that those who met him were inspired by this other worldly quality which so impressed.

Though I myself was born long after he died, I remember an incident which emphasises this point. I had to go down to Tiverton, in Devon, about 20 years ago, and there was no reply at the house I was to call on. The next-door neighbour came out and told me that they were all away.

Thinking that this was a wasted journey didn't stop me from talking to the man and it transpired that he had been in China when Eric was there, and had known him personally. He began to speak of Eric with almost an awe, and described this very aspect of his character that Sally had found unable to overlook.

Sadly, this gentleman had concluded that Eric was virtually the only Christian that had ever lived, and wasn't interested in the gospel that Eric had so loved. Ironic isn't it? when Christians don't live up to their profession people find excuse for not believing; and when people go beyond all expectation of what holiness can be had down here, they also draw back! Still, I sent him Sally's book and another one that was out at the time, and I am sure he would have read them with great pleasure just as I have.

Many of our sports-crazed world would do well to study and emulate this great man.

From the classic Chariots of Fire movie, I wanted to see how Hollywood handled this accurately. From Magusson's research, certainly one can see from actual photos that Liddell was not as thin or attractive as Ian Charleston. Also to my great disappointment, Jason, the American sprinter, never gave Liddell the Scripture verse right before the race.

Interesting sidelight to this is that in 1988 Olympics all but 2 of 19 Israeli athletes refused to compete on the Yom Kippur celebrative day.

This is wonderful read. Do not know how this relates to other works on Liddell as I'm just discovering them to find out.

This book portrays the details of this celebrity's daily life through his journals, letters, personal interviews, and the writings of those who knew him. They describe a faithful man of God who didn't prize religiosity or overly pious appearances. Instead, he modeled Jesus' character of love and kindness with his own humor, wit, and laid-back nature. Great book for all who wish to see how the Christian life is lived out amidst the daily grind.