First Marathons: Personal Encounters With the 26.2-Mile Monster

For the 250,000 people each year who run their first marathon.

First Marathons is the collected stories of 37 runners, told in their own words, describing the experience of running their first marathon. Everything is covered, from the early flickerings of desire, all the way to full-blown obsession—the training, the food, the emotions, every mile of this incredible journey. First Marathons is the best instruction book you will ever find, because you learn from the heartfelt life experience of others. Illumination and inspiration are on every page.

These runners are old and young, fat and thin, men and women. Some are famous (like Grete Waitz, Ted Corbitt, and Bill Rodgers), and others are just ordinary people —all of whom have achieved something truly extraordinary. Their collective message: anyone can run a marathon; everyone should. It will change your life forever.

Includes first-marathon stories from:
Bill Rodgers
Grete Waitz
Ted Corbitt
John Kelley

Plus, coaching advice from:
Jeff Galloway
Bob Glover
Don Kardong

and much more.