Marathon Running By Richard Nerukar Release date: 18th November, 2012 Publisher: Bloomsbury List Price: £16.99 Our Price: £10.87 You Save: £6.12 (36%) Buy Now

Late February is a pivotal time for those who, when making their new year resolutions a couple of months ago, either renewed their pledge to running or took it up following a prolonged absence. January is, inevitably, a struggle. The new trainers may tweak a little; it's always cold and lashing rain does little to raise the spirits. Those who persevere are rewarded. They feel better in themselves and by now can see the benefits of steady weight loss. Other, more established, runners begin to offer acknowledging smiles or nods when they pass and when, like this week, the sun shines, the world not only looks a better place, it feels it too. An element of ambition now lodges itself inside the runner's mind. That 5k fun run doesn't appear imposing, while the 10k later in the year, or even a local half-marathon are seriously contemplated. For those who have been running for a few years, or folks who have recently taken to it like a duck to water, the ultimate challenge is to complete a marathon. How best to tackle it though? Few of us can afford a personal trainer and in any event, work usually prevents most people from committing themselves to becoming a full-time runner. This is where Richard Nerkar's Marathon Running, now in its fourth edition, comes in extremely handy. Endorsed by the likes of Haile Gebrselassie ("If you want to run a marathon, or a faster one, you have to read this book"), Paula Radcliffe and Mo Farah, many less well-known runners have used it as an essential preparatory guide. Richard Nerukar was an extremely successful marathon runner himself, so his training tips, advice and hints on techniques are the result of first-hand experience. Thankfully, however, his light touch ensures this book appeals to beginners in particular, especially when it comes to explaining matters such as physiology. Marathon Running is structured to cover topics including endurance, training, pace judgement and race build up, which means readers can use it much as they would a travel guide, dipping in and out as they complete each part of their journey. Even for those who have only recently returned to running, but harbour marathon ambitions, it's worth tucking this definitive guide away because its helpful, easy-to-read professional advice is unlikely to date.