Every new year’s eve in new york city, thousands celebrate by running in a four mile race in Central Park, most appropriately sponsored by Emerald Nuts. On the eve of 2005, I was taking the subway up to the park, proudly wearing the race giveaway knit cap that came with my racing bib. A woman standing nearby spotted my hat, and rushed over: “Are you running tonight?” she asked with the excitement of a fellow runner.

We went through the usual runner’s talk: how long have you been running, how many miles per week, have you done the marathon yet? I had not. She recommended this book to me as the only thing I would need. Needless to say, she was right.

This book is not just a training guide. It was put together by two professors who taught a Marathon class for several years, and have seen every one of their students successfully complete a marathon after their course (with one exception which they explain). They are joined by one of their students to create this motivating book.

This book is filled with quotes from students in the class and truly captures the questions, nervousness and excitement that comes with the long journey of marathon preparation. The best part about it, though, is their focus on changing the way you think. You start off just by adding “but it doesn’t matter” to any negative thoughts. Then you tackle loving hills and positive self-talk, long the toolkit of professional athletes. Marathons are tough, and require deep commitment and confidence – and so, our authors guide us to shift to an internal locus of control.

If you’ve always wanted to run a marathon, but never thought you could, this book will not only get you to the starting line, but it will carry you across the finish.