Book Review: Discipline Without Distress

January Book

Discipline Without Distress

By Judy Arnall

424 pages

I have only heard good things about this book. However, I could not get into it. I read the first two chapters and was so bored. I'll keep this one on the stack, but I'm giving up on it for a year or two.

Book Review: Treadmill Training for Runners

November Book

Treadmill Training for Runners

Rick Morris

236 pages

This was a super easy read. I did skip a couple chapters about buying a treadmill and maintaining a treadmill. The last 100 pages or so are training plans.

It basically says that most runners do some training on treadmills. Some more, some less. It's a valuable tool, but not everyone likes it.

I might give one of the training plans a shot. 

October books

I was supposed to read Hold on to Your Kids by Gordon Nuefeld. This is the third time I've tried to read this book. I just can't get into it.

The book club book was Juliet by Anne Fortier. I think the premise of the book is stupid. Some girl (named Juliet) is a direct descendant of the "real life"Juliet and there really is a "curse on both their houses." Dumb idea, but I read it.

Here's hoping the November books are better.

October Book Club

I've been looking for a book club or thinking of starting a book club for a while. Thank heavens for church! Wooddale has everything you could ever want. Even a book club ... or two.

I'm going to check out the Women's Evening Book Club in Oct, so I picked up the two books a couple weeks ago. Most months there is just one book, but Oct has two.

The Tale of Halcyon Crane and The Maid of Faribourne Hall.

The Maid of Fairbourne Hall was okay. A pretty easy read. Not that spectacular. Very predictable.

The Tale of Halcyon Crane: EXCELLENT. I really liked it. It's kind of a ghost story, so it's a little spooky. I couldn't put it down. I even read during Conan.

----------
So, I went to the book club tonight. There were 14 other women there. It was fun; I'll go back because I think it's good for me to be out, and I enjoy reading. It's a good way to hear about different books.

Spiritual Parenting

Spiritual Parenting
by Michelle Anthony
Kindle version

You know, I am really enjoying the teaching and discussion of this book in our Sunday school class. But I don't enjoy reading the book at all.

So, I think I'm not going to finish it. At least not right now.

We are going to miss some Sundays while we're in Florida. Maybe I'll want to read the book to "catch up" with the class when we get back.

I'm taking Hold on to Your Kids by Gordon Neufeld (my October book) with us on the trip.

Mom Connection

MOPs book

Mom Connection
by Tracey Bianchi
195 pages

This book was sitting on everyone's chair at the first MOPs meeting at church. At first, I had no intention of reading it, but after leafing through the first couple chapters, I decided it might be a good read.

I've breezed through it. There are discussion questions, journaling questions, and thoughts to ponder, etc. If you wanted to, you could make this a super intense read and time of reflecting.

I've enjoyed it as an encouraging read about "finding rhythm" and "cherishing motherhood." There are great ideas for connecting with other moms, getting involved to help others, and making the most of the short time the kids are at home.

Book Review: Siblings without Rivalry

September Book

Siblings without Rivalry
Adele Faber & Elaine Mazlish
240 pages

I am super excited about reading this book. I feel like parenting is what I do--I think about it a lot, wonder if there are better ways to do things, more effective ways to relate to the kids, "easier" ways to guide them and teach them. I really enjoy parenting books.

It  was a good read. There were some good ideas, but it got boring toward the end. It's a lot of stories from people who have done their parenting groups.

Chapter 1: Brothers and Sisters--Past and Present
The beginning of this chapter discusses that all families experience sibling rivalry and "why weren't my experiences with my siblings more helpful to me when I was raising my own children."

I think these three statements summarize what this book is going to be about:

1. Our relationship with our siblings can have a powerful impact upon our lives
2. These same feelings can persist into our adult relationships with our brothers and sisters
3. These feelings can even be passed on to the next generation

Chapter 2: Not Till the Bad Feelings Come Out
If we're to have any hope of ending sibling rivalry, the very emotions we want to close the door on and lock out, need to be invited in, made welcome, and treated with respect. It can be upsetting to hear one child rage against another, but if we forbid the expression of that rage, the danger is that it will go underground and reappear in other forms, either as physical symptoms or emotional problems (Pg 19).

Children need to be able to air their feelings and wishes about their siblings-even the unsavory ones-because it's comforting to have someone listen to them. But it's important to make a distinction between allowing feelings and allowing actions. We permit children to express all their feelings. We don't permit them to hurt each other. Our job is to show them how to express their anger without doing damage (Pg 24).

• Instead of dismissing negative feelings about a sibling, acknowledge the feelings.
• Give children in fantasy what they don't have in reality.
• Help children channel their hostile feelings into symbolic or creative outlets.
• Stop hurtful behavior. Show how angry feelings can be discharged safely. Refrain from attacking the attacker.

Insisting on good feelings between the children led to bad feelings. Allowing for bad feelings between the children led to good feelings (Pg 49). 

Chapter 3: The Perils of Comparison
Gosh, here is something we do not do. I don't even remember ever being compared to my siblings. Never.

A "tip" they give to avoid comparisons is to use "describing words" rather than comparing siblings.

• Describe what you see
• Describe what you feel
• Describe what needs to be done

Chapter 4: Equal is Less
This chapter is about trying to be equal with your kids (buying a shirt for one even if he doesn't need it because you bought a shirt for a different kid, giving gifts to a non-birthday child on a sibling's birthday, spending 10 minutes with one because you did with the other, etc.) Thank goodness, we haven't been sucked into this craziness. Yuck!

Chapter 5: Siblings in Roles
This, too, doesn't seem like something we've gotten into. Maybe because the kids are so little.

Chapter 6: When the Kids Fight
Our kids fight. It seems like the fighting has picked up 1000% in the last month or so. Although now that Ivy's in school, there is less. We try to help them find solutions; we separate them if they're hitting or kicking, etc. I bet this is going to be a bigger problem as they get older, but for now even distraction/diversion still works.

Chapter 7: Making Peace with the Past


Chapter 8: Afterward for the New Edition

• Coping with Young Rivals

• Home Alone

• More Ways to Encourage Good Feelings between Bothers and Sisters

Book Review: Booky Wook and Booky Wook 2

My Booky Wook: A Memoir of Sex, Drugs, and Stand-Up
by Russell Brand
350 pages

Booky Wook 2: This Time it's Personal
by Russell Brand
309 pages

I love Russell Brand. I think he's hilarious.

We saw a stand-up show of his on Comedy Central once and laughed until the tears flowed. He's great in Forgetting Sarah Marshall and Arthur. We've seen his new show Brand X a couple times, and it's funny. He is my favorite late-night show guest.

I'd probably go see any movie he was in and will definitely get tickets if he ever comes to Minneapolis.

However, his books are not funny. They are actually kind of depressing. His life is hard to imagine, and he doesn't really try to cover any of it with humor.

I expected to laugh until my sides hurt. It's just not like that.

Book Review - Iron War

July Book

Iron War: Dave Scott, Mark Allen & the Greatest Race Ever Run
by Matt Fitzgerald
Kindle version

I think I don't like one thing about the Kindle: no pictures or limited pictures, and not seeing the cover of the book. Other than that, it's great. Handy!


I did not really like this book though. There was just a lot of sciencey triathlon information that I was bored by. I liked the stories of Mark Allen and Dave Scott, but the rest of the book, not so much. 


But I did figure out where Mark Allen Online tri team comes from :) 

Book Review - Bossypants

June Book

Bossypants
by Tina Fey
kindle version


It was funny. An interesting light easy read. 


Worth picking up. 

Book Review - Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work

May Book

Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work
by John Gottman and Nan Silver
266 pages

I accidently ordered a British version of this book from Amazon. I know because of words like "learnt, analysed, and practise."

This book is about half questionnaires, quizzes, and discussion points, so it's a short, easy read. Unless you stop and do all the "work." Then it would take forever. Because I was reading this on my own instead of with Jeremy, I didn't go though much of the work. I answered some of the questions, but it's really designed to be done together. I think.

Overall, I like marriage books, because I think it's important to address problems right away before they get huge. I wish there were an easy way to get all the questions, etc. from this book into a big jar so we could pull one out and talk about it every day.

Along those lines, I think Table Topics would be a great way to start conversations we wouldn't think of.

Principle #1: Enhance your love maps
This is all about knowing your spouse--little things and big things. Like who they sit next to at work, what they're struggling with, and what their hopes & dreams are.

Principle #2: Nurture your fondness and admiration

This was about remembering the good things and having a positive image of your marriage and relationship. 

Principle #3: Turn toward each other instead of away

The example to describe this principle was a parenting one: about a husband who made fun of the way his wife parented while he was with his family. Then his family undermined her parenting preferences with the grandkids. The wife was upset. Instead of being worried about his parents, the husband had to start defending his wife's choices and be on the same team as her. It's all about being a team and being on the same side. 

Principle #4: Let your partner influence you

This is just as simple as it sounds. Let your partner influence your choices and decisions. Take them into consideration.

Principle #5: Solve your solvable problems

There were a lot of pages dedicated to conflict. Because we don't ever have any conflict, I skipped these chapters. 

There are a couple types of conflict: problems you can solve and those you won't. This was about identifying the solvable problems you have and then solving them. 

Principle #6: Overcome gridlock

This chapter was about those problems you can't solve and how to at least come to an amicable disagreement. Like me accepting that Jeremy will never like tomato soup. 

Principle #7: Create shared meaning

I might have liked this chapter the best. It's all about traditions, rituals, and customs in your family. I like traditions. I like having special things we do because it's "the thing" we do.  

I think this is a good book. Probably better to read together. Maybe for small group in the fall. :) 

Book Review - Protecting the Gift

April Book

Protecting the Gift: Keeping Children and Teenagers Safe (and Parents Sane)

by Gavin De Becker

231 pages

This was a surprisingly fast read. I just couldn't put it down. It's all about keeping kids safe. And the author is a security specialist--not a local cop or crazy mom.

The things I learned are to be realistic about dangers. Don't turn a blind eye to your intuition. Listen to it and figure out if you're in danger. And then take appropriate steps.

One of his big things is that we can predict and prevent violence. Maybe not the random violence, but he says most violence isn't random. So, don't be afraid to question that guy who creeps you out. Take the recommended safety measures when you're running. Listen to your kids when they talk about their friends parents, etc.

Be realistic.

He doesn't intend for people to live in fear but to be prepared to fight back.

I enjoyed this book. I feel confident, I'll just say that. 

Book Review - Nurture Shock

March Book

Nurture Shock

by Po Bronson & Ashley Merryman

239 pages

I've been hearing about this book since it came out in 2009, and I've wanted to read it since then. I did start it a while ago, but then Livy came along, and the book had to go back to the library. This time I bought my own copy!

Chapter 1: The Inverse Power of Praise

Oh. My. Goodness. I knew I was going to like this book, but already, I love it. This concept about praise isn't new: we've been hearing it all 4-1/2 years we've been parents. That praise doesn't really instill or reinforce self-esteem. It makes kids think that if they have to put some effort into a problem, they must not be smart. So, instead of praising results or being (you're so smart, that was good), we should praise effort, specifically and sincerely.

• You must've worked really hard.
• I like how you keep trying.
• You concentrated without asking to take a break.
• You listened carefully.
• You tried really hard.

Another take-away is that kids need to know their brain is a muscle that can be developed through hard work. And kids need a plan to handle failure--that means parents have to address failure and help the children develop a plan to overcome.

My favorite quote: "Emphasizing effort gives a child a variable they can control."

Chapter 2: The Lost Hour

This chapter is about sleeping. It seemed more scientific than I like (but the kids were chasing each other around the coffee table with scissors). I really like Mary Sheedy Kurcinka's book Sleepless in America for information on sleep. 

Chapter 3: Why White Parents Don't Talk about Race

This is a challenging chapter. Here in Prior Lake, we don't seem to have much diversity. And the diversity we have is a Russian population. Well, we do have the Shakopee Mdewakanton Souix community. Anyway, it's a white community. The only "people of color" we know is a girl that was adopted from China and two kids whose mother is Mexican.

This chapter posits that parents need to be talking about race with young kids while they are still developmentally open to it. There's something that even by 3rd grade kids are less likely to accept race differences than 1st graders.

I'm all for race equality and having friends of different races and cultures. But in our super white community, I have no idea how to do it. It does make me think about fostering Ancestral Pride (Swedish, Norwegian, German) and exposing them to other cultures. Is a different culture the same as a different race? Can we use the two inter-changeably?

Our kids might not understand race at all. When I asked them about skin color, our 4-1/2 yr old told me she has brown skin, I have pink skin, and grandma has black skin. And then proceeded to talk about green & red skin, purple skin, and orange skin--like the Lorax. Our 3 yr old just hollered out from the other room that he has "nothing skin" and started singing the Color Song from his preschool book. 

Chapter 4: Why Kids Lie

We may treasure honesty, but the research is clear. Most classic strategies to promote truthfulness just encourage kids to be better liars. ~Chapter 4 Intro

I love this chapter already.

People simply cannot tell when kids are lying. They believe girls are telling the truth more than boys, when in fact boys do not like more often. They believe younger kids are more prone to lying, whereas the opposite is true. And they believe introverts are less trustworthy, when introverts actually lie less often. ~Pg 75

Similarly, the parent's first defense against his child's tendency to lie is "Well, I can tell when they're lying." That's been proven to be a myth. ~Pg 75 

This is a hot-button issue for me because so many parents I know complain of their kids lying and are trying to dream up serious consequences for it. This chapter says that kids lie to avoid punishment, and  kids want to make their parents happy. So instead of punishing kids for lying, we need to say something like, "I won't be upset with you, and if you tell the truth, I'll be happy."

There's super interesting information about tattling, which we deal with here.

For every one time a child seeks a parent for help, there were 14 other instances when he was wronged and did not run to the parent for aid. ~Pg 88

We want our kids to talk to each other first (Please stop hitting me. Can I have my truck back? Will you get off my leg? I don't want to color right now.), but maybe they are already doing a lot of that. According to this book they probably are.

A child considering reporting a problem to an adult not only faces peer condemnation as a traitor and the schoolyard equivalent of the death penalty--ostracism--but he also recalls every time he's heard teachers and parents say "Work it out on your own." ~Pg 89

 The lesson here is "No matter how small, lies no longer go unnoticed."

Does how we deal with a child's lies really matter, down the road in life? The irony of lying is that it's both normal and abnormal behavior at the same time. It's to be expected, and yet it can't be disregarded. ~Pg 90

 And also, don't entrap your kids with questions you already know the answer to, to test their honesty. They'll lie to get out of punishment, and you'll be angry.

Chapter 5: The Search for Intelligent Life in Kindergarten

In our school district, the gifted program starts at 3rd grade. Now, I have more research why, but it seemed to make sense before that. Some younger kids just aren't ready for that kind of test. But that doesn't mean they aren't "gifted." I also like how at the end of the chapter, it challenges our need to label our kids this way.

I'm glad our thoughts that testing and labeling kids so young have been affirmed, at least by this research. I know you can find research to back up whatever you believe. 

Chapter 6: The Sibling Effect

Uh-oh. I might not like this chapter. The first statement that stood out to me is what if "children learn poor social skills from these interactions (with siblings), just as often as they learn good ones."

It was not at all what I expected from that first assertion. In a quick summary, children need to be taught to enjoy their siblings. Conflict Prevention instead of Conflict Resolution. Fighting may be normal, but as long as your kids are engaged with one another, they are building relationship.

I feel good because our two Big Kids do play well together and are engaged most of the time. Maybe all the time. They even seek each other out when we're at play groups and other play areas. We are working on recognizing that they've hurt each other's feelings and mending that.

One thing that was interesting is the example about children's books depicting sibling rivalry. I already have "put away" some library books or turned off some movie/cartoon when siblings or friends were being mean to each other. I'm sure the endpoint is that we need to be nice, but they were teaching my kids how to be mean first. 

Chapter 7: The Science of Teen Rebellion

This chapter seems to go hand in hand with Chapter 4: Why Kids Lie. They want to make their parents happy. Or don't want to make them mad. I think we have to prepare ourselves to let our kids fight about the rules. Our oldest does some negotiating now. Most of the time, she makes a valid point and the rule changes in that instance. I want to carry that over to their teen years when the rules aren't just about drinking red juice on the carpet.

Ironically, the type of parents who are actually the most consistent in enforcing rules are the same parents who are most warm and have the most conversations with their kids. They've set a few rules over a certain key spheres of influence, and they've explained why the rules are there. They expect the child to obey them. Over life's other spheres, they supported this child's autonomy, allowing freedom to make decisions. The kids of these parents lied the least. Rather than hiding twelve areas from their parents, they might be hiding as few as five. ~Pg 141

 In the families where there was less deception, there was a much higher ratio of arguing/complaining. Arguing was good--arguing was honesty. The parents didn't necessarily realize this. The arguing stressed them out. ~Pg 148

Certain types of fighting, despite the acrimony, are ultimately a sign of respect--not of disrespect. ~Pg 149

The variable that seemed to matter most was how the arguments were resolved. ~Pg 150

 Parents who negotiate ultimately appear to be more informed. Parents with unbending, strict guidelines make it a tactical issue for kids to find a way around them. ~Pg 150

 The narrow definition of pushover parents are those who give in to their kids because they can't stand to see their child cry, or whine. They placate their children just to shut them up. They want to be their kid's friend, and they're uncomfortable being seen as the bad guy. That's not the same as a parent who makes sure her child feels heard, and if the child has made a good argument for why a rule needs to be changed, lets that influence her decision. ~Pg 150-151

Chapter 8: Can Self-Control be Taught?

I have to say: this chapter was only mildly interesting. It just talked about Tools of the Mind preschool and kindergarten programs and how great they are. Yes, self-control can be taught. 

Chapter 9: Plays Well with Others

There are three types of aggression:

• physical: pushing, hitting, biting
• relational: "You can't play with me," ignoring a friend, lying about a friend
• verbal: "shut up," "you're stupid"

The more educational media the children watched, the more relationally aggressive they were. ... Relational aggression is modeled at a fairly high rate. ~Pg 180

This is exactly why we don't watch a cartoon called "Little Bill." The few times the kids saw it, I was shocked at how mean the kids were to each other. This chapter says that physical aggression isn't impacted by media as much as we think, but relational and verbal aggression are.

Arthur is more dangerous for children than Power Rangers. ... There is a stunning amount of relational and verbal aggression in kids' television. ~Pg 181

Knowing what shows our kids watch the most (Cat in the Hat, Curious George, Super Why, Wild Kratts, Martha Speaks, and Arthur), I haven't seen any aggression or an amount of aggression I'd be concerned about. What is more surprising to me is that preschoolers are watching 11 hours of media a week. That's 90 minutes a day. I should pay more attention to how much our kids watch per day. Some days, they don't watch any, but on days they do, they really like to watch. :)

The typical married couple has about eight disputes each day. Spouses express anger to each other two or three times as often as they show a moment of affection to each other. And while parents might aspire to shield their kids from their arguing, the truth is children are witness to it 45% of the time. Children's emotional well-being and security are more affected by the relationship between the parents than by the direct relationship between the parent and child. ~Pg 184

This chapter says that children will be aggressive if they witness a fight between their parents, but will be much less aggressive (96% of the time) if they see the resolution.

Most kids were just as happy at the conclusion as they were when witnessing a friendly interaction between parents. ... Being exposed to constructive marital conflict can actually be good for children. ~Pg 185

Aggressiveness is most often used as a means of asserting dominance to gain control or protect status. ~Pg 191 

So, why don't kids shun aggressive peers?

1. Aggressive behavior is interpreted as a willingness to defy grown-ups, which makes the aggressive child seem independent and older. The child who always conforms to adults' expectations and follows their rules runs the risk of being seen as a wimp.
2. Aggressive kids can remain socially powerful because, just as the less-aggressive kids aren't angels, aggressive kids aren't all devils. 

 Kids see that, when used correctly, kindness and cruelty are equally effective tools of power. ~Pg 193

 On Page 194, it seems like the authors are talking about how detrimental to social development it is to segregate children by age--all the time. Which I think is interesting, because the home school community "bashes" constant age segregation.

Chapter 10: Why Hannah Talks and Alyssa Doesn't

The first thing this chapter discusses is baby DVDs like Baby Einstein. We have a 20-pack of Baby Einstein DVDs I got on eBay before Ivy was even born. I was preparing to stimulate her and help her be smarter. She thwarted me in that one. She wouldn't watch any tv at all until she was about 2. Had no interest in it. And when she was about 8 months old, we started doing the Baby Signs with her, saying the word "More" while showing her the sign. Instead of signing, she just started talking.

Video programming can't interact with the baby, responding to the sounds she makes. Why this is important requires careful explanation. ~Pg 204

 Instead of needing to talk constantly to your baby in order for her to learn language, "the central role of the parent is to notice what's coming from the baby and respond accordingly."

In fact, one of the mechanisms helping a baby to talk isn't a parent's speech at all--it's not what a child hears from a parent, but what a parent accomplishes with a well-timed loving caress. ~Pg 207

It sounds like responding quickly and appropriately to a baby is a key factor in early language development. I wonder if early language development is necessary. Who cares if your kid talks at 9 months or 18 months? Does it matter?

Baby talking to babies seems important because it helps them differentiate sounds. And then, respond when your baby is making noise. The next part of the chapter talks about labeling things for toddlers (your chair, mommy's car, daddy's bike, etc) as the child is naturally looking or pointing at the object. 

So, it does seem like kids who are responded to when they babble and are talking early do have an advantage over other kids--in their cognitive development and communication skills.

This chapter has challenged me to respond to Livy more.

Summary

I really loved this book. Each chapter was informative about child development and issues we all come across every day. I think every parent (or everyone who is around kids) should read this book. It's that good. 

Book Review - Last Child in the Woods

February Book

Last Child in the Woods

by Richard Louv

316 pages

I got this book as a Christmas gift and was very excited to read about the importance of getting kids outside. I anticipated an encouraging "let's get outside" message with day hike ideas, craft ideas, games, how-to tips on building forts, and fun ways to get your kids outside.

It was not like that. It reads like a very long research paper. Whew, I had a very hard time getting through this book. I just did not find it interesting at all.

Until the Field Guide in the back. There is a "100 Actions We Can Take" list, and this is what I was looking for. Some of the easy things we're going to include in our lives include

1. Get a truckload of dirt delivered to your house and let the kids play in it.
2. Build a bird bath, bird houses, bird feeders, or bat houses.
3. Make a leaf collection book.
4. Tadpoles.
5. Nature walks/hikes. We have a great park close by (Murphy Hanrehan). I'd like to make regular trips out there this spring, summer, and autumn.
6. Plant a tree.
7. Plant a butterfly garden.
8. Join 4-H. (I don't think they're old enough yet, but I plan on doing this when they're old enough.)
9. Canoeing, sailing, swimming, kayaking (in the local lakes & rivers).
10. Go to the MN Landscape Arboretum. 
11. Visit the Richardson Nature Center. 

Book Review - The Ultimate Beginner's Running Guide

The Ultimate Beginner's Running Guide: The Key to Running Inspired

By Ryan Robert

I got this book for my Kindle via the Amazon store. It's $2.99 for the Kindle version, and it doesn't look like there's a print version.

This is a good book. I just read a different guide to running book, so I didn't know if I needed another one right now. However, I'm glad I read it.

First a note about the Kindle: reading on it is so easy. I love it! I love having so many books to choose from right at my fingertips. And it's so easy to read while I'm on the treadmill. In days gone by, I had to either hold a book in both hands and turn pages all while trying not to fall off the treadmill. Yesterday, I walked for 70 minutes (at 3 mph) and read half of this book. It was so easy to hold the Kindle in one hand and use my thumb to "turn" pages. 

This book was so easy to read. I breezed through it and felt very motivated and encouraged when I was done. It's truly a book for beginners who need the confidence boost to get out there and get running.

I think my only complaint is that Chapters 1 and 3 cover so much information and are so long. I wish they had been broken up into smaller pieces. It was sometimes hard to follow, because I didn't remember what section of the chapter I was in.

I enjoy and plan to utilize his Visualizations at the end of Chapters 1, 2, and 3. This type of focused energy really helps me perform well.

Introduction: Why Run?

This introduction is super motivating. Everyone knows that running is a good cardio workout: that you will lose weight, lower your blood pressure, and have a healthier heart. The mental benefits are less concrete, but may be even more important: lowering stress and increasing confidence.

Chapter 1: Getting Ready to Run

This chapter is very long, almost half the book (to 53% on the Kindle). There is a lot of information here. I mean, a lot. And it's good stuff. The tips on arm positions was especially useful to me.

Chapter 2: Raising the Bar and Staying Motivated to Run

In this chapter, the main focus is adding hill workouts and intervals to your running routine to better your performance. The tips to stay motivated are all great ideas.

Chapter 3: Nutrition, Hydration, Running in Adverse Conditions, and Common Injuries

Again, this chapter is super long and feels like it should be a few different chapters. I always enjoy hearing different perspectives on nutrition and hydration during practice and races. And the tips on running in extreme heat, cold, and rain were right on. I tend to get shin splints, so it was good for me to read about icing and doing some cross training.

Chapter 4: Running Inspired

After starting the book off with a great positive message, giving load and loads of tips and expertise, this chapter gets back to motivation and encouragement. You can do it! And it'll be great!

Chapter 5: Training Schedules

These training schedules look good. I've already committed to a different training plan for my half-marathon in May, but one of these plans look like a great way to maintain fitness. I think it's better for me to be on a plan than to just go out and run. I need someone to tell me what to do.