The New Rules of Running

February 17, 2014
Regardless of their goals—losing weight, staying competitive or simply staying active—runners of all stripes will want to spend time with sports medicine specialist and avid runner Vad’s (Back Rx) engaging and highly informative new book. Centered around five concepts (there’s no one way to run, incorporate strength training, train for endurance, monitor your diet, rest), Vad offers a mix of practical advice and research to prove his points. Beginning with the biomechanics of running, Vad helps readers determine their running style, select the best shoes for the task, and correct their form. Should things go awry, he offers suggestions for dealing with common injuries, such as shin splints and Runner’s Knee. Simple, effective exercises focusing on specific muscle groups that don’t require a gym membership, as well as pre- and post-run stretches help readers get into optimum shape before hitting the road by incorporating Pilates and yoga. Vad’s 10-day training approach to marathons incorporates his concepts for casual runners as well as those focused on bucket list events, such as the Boston Marathon, with a day-by-day schedule to help ensure they’re able to rise to the challenge. Vad’s mix of common sense and science adds up to a healthy, thoughtful approach to one of America’s most popular fitness activities.

May 15, 2014

Vad's comprehensive guidebook is for new and seasoned runners alike. The various chapters are dedicated to common running concerns, such as biomechanics, shoes, nutrition, training regimens, and strategies for running your best race. The book doesn't necessarily revolutionize the running world, but, rather, offers advice, suggestions, and opinions that build upon some familiar concepts in the sport. The author provides viewpoints from his pastime as a runner and his expertise as a doctor. Photographs of stretching techniques, diagrams of common injuries, and marathon and half-marathon training schedules for runners of different levels accompany the text. The detail and documentation on the types of running injuries are unusual. VERDICT As a runner, this reviewer found this book to be a fascinating compilation of the various issues and concepts associated with running as a discipline. It would be best for those who have explored similar texts so that they may compare and contrast the information provided in order to make informed decisions about their own participation in the sport.--Annette Haldeman, Dept. of Legislative Svcs., Maryland General Assembly, Annapolis

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