Mental Training for Runners: How to Stay Motivated Paperback – January 1, 2011

Reading this great book, Mental Training for Runners, written by Jeff Galloway was insightful, informative and intimidating! As a new runner I found this book valuable (although often promoting his others) his advice is applicable for anyone wanting to understand the brain and body connection with motivation.Some of my favorite parts of the book include:Glossary of mind body elements – Galloway explains how the mind, brain, reflex brain, frontal lobe, left and right brain receptors, peptides, TMS (Tension myositis syndrome), growth mode and protection mode all work. I was fascinated by the mind – brain – gut relationship and the importance of self-talk and nutrition.Mental training – he provides specific techniques for stress management, managing fatigue, aches and pains and low blood sugar (LBS) levels and how these impact our thoughts.Jump start motivation – he shares almost every runner experiences ‘those days’ when the subconscious reflex brain is under a higher level of stress/ pressure. He prescribes eating blood sugar boosting snacks, drinking coffee, walking, smiling breathing in cadence with your steps, believing you will feel better and mantras.No more excuses – a section is dedicated to the most common excuses and how to overcome them i.e. this hurts, I have no time, I don’t have the right body (I relate to this one as that was my excuse before my great friend told me to just do it), I need to spend more time with my kids/partner/family, I have too much work to do, I don’t have my running clothes with me – he outlines solutions for every excuse!Rehearsing drills –specific drills are outlined to build mental toughness that include rehearsing and visualizing success, using magic words (relax, power, glide), and playing dirty tricks on the reflex brain (I liked this section a lot).Mantras – I am a fan of mantras and have written about this before. He separates mantras into categories; mantras that work anytime, talking to your workhorses (body parts), when it gets tough, the vision, funny mantras, distractions from negative thoughts, talking to spectators and volunteers, talking to the pain mantras (this was one of my most favorite parts of the entire book).Troubleshooting and treatment – Galloway explains in detail how to handle injury, recovery and his practical approach ensured in most cases you could still keep running with modification and include more walking. He is famous for his philosophy of run-walk-run.Products that enhance running – this section advocates for specific nutrition, recovery, safety, vitamins and supplements and of course his other books. I purchased some of his suggestions as he seems knowledgeable on this topic and has tested extensively.This book is a great read, informative and seemed backed by research. Highly recommend it for anyone training for an important race or someone who is a brand new runner like me crazy enough to start running and sign up for a marathon within a week of starting running!

I might have had high expectations based on the book's title but wasn't very happy with the content. I did like the issue-specific mantras section, but found Galloway's writing style a bit pitchy (like repeatedly selling products he endorses or cross-selling his other training manuals) and not as fluid to read (like John Bingham's books) nor as profound (like Dr. George Sheehan). The format appeared too slick for me to take it seriously as a read but might suit others who want to just read information in small chunks and implement the techniques without loosing their place in the book.

I love Jeff Galloway so I am sad to give this only 3 stars. I wanted to love this book because I am a fan of the run/walk/run method. Using this method actually helped my half marathon time at the Jeff Galloway half in December. I was looking for some motivation so I decided to purchase this book. However, I did not enjoy this book and it did not motivate me.

A great read if you want some tips to stay motivated. Read it in an airport. It's a lot of things I already do to stay motivated like laying out my clothes the day before a run.

This book provides some great methods for keeping your head in the run! The body will do what the mind believes it can!

Overall this was a great book. As mentioned in some of the other reviews it does mention a lot of products. I found most of the information on staying motivated for running to be good and informative. I would advise reading one of his other books of run-walk-run method if you are unfamiliar with the Galloway method.

helps me on the days, when my mind wants to run, and the BODY says 'no, I dont wanna go'...it helps me get out the door.

Had a chance to meet Mr. Galloway and he recommended this book for my mental training for half and full marathons. The book does not disappoint. It gives practical, simple, and effective tips for runners who need to sharpen their mental running game. If you're serious about upping your performance, this is your book.

I am training for the London Marathon as a novice and while my body is progressing I am scared to death of failing and often lack motivation to train. This book gave me the tools I need and will use to enjoy the day and be as ready as possible. It is not some lame book full of platitudes. Buy it…you won't regret it.

I have been running for six months. I Have hit lots of blocks and barriers that I thought were in my body. This book made me realise that they are in my mind. A good read anf a book that will keep and constantly refer to as I become a real runner. Thanks

A bit wafflely, need to stay quite motivated to push on through.... Very expensive for no real new insights...

Quite a repetitive read which isn't necessarily a bad thing if you're new to running. I found it boring and sales driven (he has lots of products to sell), also overly complicated considering the subject. Otherwise, if you're new to running it's probably not a bad place to start reading.