I love ChiRunning… So much of the approach just makes sense to me physically and it appeals to the side of me that is searching for balance and peace.  So getting the chance to review the new book Chi Marathon was really exciting.*

The book is laid out in a way that starts with the foundation of your marathon training right up through the big event and beyond.  The chapters are laid out like this:

• Phase I: Vision, Goals and Planning
• Phase II: The Technique Phase
• Phase III: The Conditioning Phase
• Phase IV: The Mastery Phase
• Phase V: Taper Time
• Phase VI: Race Weekend
• Phase VII: Rest and Renewal

I love that whole approach to an event, plus the addition of learning and implementing the ChiRunning techniques into each phase is really interesting.  It was actually informative to me to see it like that, even though I have read everything in the Chi series as well as taken a one-day workshop on ChiRunning.

I think there is enough information to learn the fundamentals of ChiRunning in this book without necessarily requiring the other books in the series, although I still highly recommend them.  Both ChiRunning and ChiWalking are great books.

At the end of the book there are some training plans, a 16 week beginning half marathon program and a 24 week beginning marathon program.  The plans are really solid, I love how each run has a purpose that extends beyond how we typically think of training runs (easy, speedwork, long, recovery, etc.)  Each of these runs not only serves the purpose of building your endurance and getting you ready to cover the distance, but they also focus in on an aspect of ChiRunning. I think am going to follow the beginning half marathon plan for my first training plan post-partum.  I’m not necessarily a “beginner”  but I anticipate my body feeling very different after pregnancy and childbirth, thus following an approach that encourages me to pay such close attention to my form seems like a smart way to build back to me.

Chi Marathon: The Breakthrough Natural Running Program for a Pain-Free Half Marathon and Marathon

Side Note: The entire ChiLiving website is chockfull of great information, so I encourage you to check that out too!

*Legalese: This book was provided to me for free.  I had actually already ordered the book, but I canceled my order after I was given a copy.  However, I am certain I will be purchasing this book to give as gifts in the future!  All opinions expressed here are my own, I wasn’t given any directive on how to review this book.