I’d like to thank the many great running teachers I’ve had through the years, all of whom willingly shared their passion, experiences, failures, and unrelenting drive for excellence. These particularly include John J. Kelley; Hal Higdon; Bill Rodgers; Dave Costill, PhD; and Jack Daniels, PhD.
Just as important: the thousands of beginning runners who persisted through the difficult early weeks of their new sport to eventually reach 2 miles, 5-K, and far greater achievements. Their successes often amazed me almost as much as they amazed themselves. Running is the perfect outlet for those who believe in the old saying “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.” Every beginning runner inspires me and countless others by reproving the influence of determination and willpower.
—Amby Burfoot
I’d like to thank all of the experts who so generously shared their knowledge and their time for this book and for all the work we do at Runner’s World. I am so indebted to my coauthors, Amby and Bart, for always making the time in their jam-packed schedules to share their knowledge with me and any other runner who needs it. I feel so blessed to be able to count them, my mentors, as my friends and colleagues. Many thanks go to Pamela Nisevich Bede, who, while juggling motherhood and a full-time job of her own, took so much time to be a part of this book and to help so many Runner’s World readers with their nutrition and weight-loss questions. I am very grateful to coach and exercise physiologist Janet Hamilton, who designed The Starting Line plans and has been a tremendous mentor to me over the years. Many thanks to all the experts who contributed to this book, including Susan Paul, Adam St. Pierre, Christy Barth, Douglas Casa, Jeff Gaudette, Reed Ferber, Clint Verran, Bruce Wilk, and Heather and Kevin Vincent. Thank you to David Willey, John Atwood, Mark Weinstein, and Warren Greene for believing in this project and giving me the opportunity to make it happen. I am grateful to so many members of the Runner’s World staff who contributed to this book in ways big and small, including Scott Douglas, Lindsay Bender, Barb Webb, Lori Adams, Chris Kraft, Kimberly Draves, Robert Reese, Hannah McGoldrick, Kevin Knabe, Mark Remy, Caitlin Giddings, Ted Spiker, Charlie Butler, Caleb Daniloff, Marc Parent, and Carly Long. I am so appreciative of all the contributors to Runner’s World, for graciously allowing us to excerpt many of the fine articles they did for the magazine for this book. Thank you to all of you beginners who found the courage to get going and stick with it, and to all of you who so bravely shared your stories with us. Above all, thank you to Peter, Noah, Kate, and Phoebe: for supporting my every cockamamy plan and for being the greatest gifts that a person could ask for in this very good life.
—Jennifer Van Allen
I want to thank the entire running community. Whether you’re the first finisher or the last one to cross the line, the courage that you show to put yourself out there every day inspires me to do what I do. I often meet people who claim, “I’m not a real runner.” But if you run, I assure you, you’re a runner. You’re demonstrating what’s possible to so many others who are trying to get up the courage to start. And you’re inspiring them to get going. Always remember, it’s not about how far you go but how far you’ve come and what you’ve overcome to arrive where you are today. Don’t ever stop. And never limit where running can take you.
—Bart Yasso