Skyhorse The Big Book of Endurance Training and Racing

It's probably a 2.5 stars at best but didn't feel it deserved a 2 so gave 3 stars.It's OK, some good basic stuff as well as some nice little insights. The problem is, it's all a little repetitive and all about the author. If I knew the content would I have purchased it, NO, what you glean from the book you can get from a couple of Internet searches. Run at a given HR, eat well, sleep well, de-stress, do yoga.

This is one of the most important books I've ever red. It says "Training and racing" on the cover, but if you expect tables and graphs with explicit training plans, look elsewhere. Also be warned that it is very dense - it took me several months to absorb all the pages and still finding new ideas based on it. It is basically about the health itself since this is the most important for sport - and for living, too. However, I doubt anyone in "good condition" would praise the book, I suppose it takes some time fighting health or fitness troubles... For some years I practiced sport using heart rate monitor, following best advices out there, BUT with no actual improvements in fitness or health (or both). Than, last year I had some household work to do, using a pickaxe and a shovel. I thought this would ruin my body. But guess what? After few weeks I was shocked to find out my condition approved a lot (and I mean *a lot*) and got worse when I finished. Heh, where is the problem??? WTF? Is it hard afternoon work? Or several glasses of water I have to absorb? How is digging actually compared to proper cycling with HRM???So I started to look for some explanations. And I found this book and it answered all of my questions and a whole lot of the others. Training method works suprisingly well and reminds me of my youth, when I used just a "feeling" since no devices were invented yet. And still, sport was enhancing my health in a great way and have been a pleasure for me. Now it is again! My fitness improved a lot during last 8 months using Maffetone method. I can compare my cycling using Strava and rowing (indoor) - both are way different than last year. And more important, there is a chapter dedicated to nutrition. Full of thoughts and inspiration, I must say. We (family) decided to get rid of junk food, processed food, sugar, now using more fats, proteins, eggs etc... there is a lot to discuss here. Results? My belly dissapeared, I lost 20 pounds of - mostly - fat. I feel great, like *never* before, all my health problems dissapeared. Again, be warned, the book requires your active brain cells. Almost every page stopped me like "hey, this reminds me...", grabbing some science book from library. But this time, understanding whole picture and context. Truly holistic approach.If you are looking for a book enhancing your imagination, you have some chronic health problems, you want to improve in sport *and you are willing to think about it*, this is the book for you. Probably it is not the only one, but very, very important. If you are young, looking for fast answers and fast results, look elsewhere - and return once you find you are stuck in your simple world. There are no simple answers, but you can find your own. Highly recommended!

A great read with a wealth of information. Definitely the healthiest option when it comes to exercising for your health. Been using the MAF method for over 6 months and seen vast improvements.

The fundamental advice seems sound enough. Build an aerobic fitness base. The method is based upon his anecdotal experience rather than scientific testing but it seems to work. The dietary advice is based upon some dodgy science although it is not as bad as some of the guff out there from bloggers. Worth a read but I would also read peer reviewed evidence based stuff too.

An fascinating book with many valuable insights into the importance of correct nutrition and the benefits of correct training. Makes you rethink everything that is regarded as “accepted knowledge” for endurance training. A must read