In today's modern world, there's no need for anyone to run twenty-five miles to deliver a message, as Pheidippides did from Marathon to Athens around 500 B.C. However, hundreds of runners each year run 26.2 miles at hundreds of marathons worldwide. To conquer this mountainous challenge, you must know how to properly eat, stretch, identify and treat injuries, and develop a running program that hones your mind and body into a running machine. Marathon Training For Dummies is for everyone who has always thought about running a marathon or half-marathon (13.1 miles) and for seasoned runners who want to tackle the challenge safely and successfully. This quick-read reference helps all runners: * Add strength and speed * Weight train * Improve your technique * Eat to maximize endurance * Treat injuries * Choose your races In just four to six months of dedicated training, any runner can be full y prepared to tackle a marathon. Map out an exercise program, choose shoes, and plan the race strategy that will get you across the finish line. Marathon Training For Dummies also covers the following topics and more: * How far how fast? * Blazing the best trail * Stretching methods * Doing LSD (Long, Slow Distance) * Tempo-run training * The last 24 hours * The best tune-up races in North America * The week after the marathon With several hundred thousand people finishing marathons each year, you'll meet plenty of interesting people running along with you. There are numerous rewards for conquering the mental and physical challenges of a marathon, and this fun and friendly guide is your road map to achieving them.