0
Your Cart

Primal Endurance: Escape chronic cardio and carbohydrate dependency and become a fat burning beast!


Primal Endurance shakes up the status quo and challenges the overly stressful, ineffective conventional approach to endurance training.  While marathons and triathlons are wildly popular and bring much gratification and camaraderie to the participants, the majority of athletes are too slow, continually tired, and carry too much body fat respective to the time they devote to training. The prevailing “chronic cardio” approach promotes carbohydrate dependency, overly stressful lifestyle patterns, and ultimately burnout.

Mark Sisson, author of the 2009 bestseller, The Primal Blueprint, and de-facto leader of the primal/paleo lifestyle movement, expertly applies primal lifestyle principles to the unique challenge of endurance training and racing. Unlike the many instant and self-anointed experts who have descended upon the endurance scene in recent years, Sisson and his co-author/business partner Brad Kearns boast a rich history in endurance sports. Sisson has a 2:18 marathon and 4th place Hawaii Ironman finish to his credit, has spearheaded triathlon’s global anti-doping program for the International Triathlon Union, and has coached/advised leading professional athletes, including Olympic triathlon gold and silver medalist Simon Whitfield and Tour de France cyclist Dave Zabriskie. Under Sisson’s guidance, Kearns won multiple national championships in duathlon and triathlon, and rose to a #3 world triathlon ranking in 1991.

Primal Endurance applies an all-encompassing approach to endurance training that includes primal-aligned eating to escape carbohydrate dependency and enhance fat metabolism, building an aerobic base with comfortably paced workouts, strategically introducing high intensity strength and sprint workouts, emphasizing rest, recovery, and an annual periodization, and finally cultivating an intuitive approach to training instead of the usual robotic approach of fixed weekly workout schedules. When you “go Primal” as an endurance athlete, you can expect to enjoy these and other benefits in short order:

 

  • Easily reduce excess body fat and keep it off permanently, even during periods of reduced training
  • Perform better by reprogramming your genes to burn fat and spare glycogen during sustained endurance efforts
  • Avoid overtraining, burnout, illness, and injury by improving your balance of stress and rest, both in training and everyday life
  • Spend fewer total hours training and get more return on investment with periodized and purposeful workout patterns
  • Have more fun, be more spontaneous, and break free from the pull of the obsessive/compulsive mindset that is common among highly motivated, goal-oriented endurance athletes
  • Have more energy and better focus during daily life instead of suffering from the “active couch potato syndrome,” with cumulative fatigue from incessant heavy training makes you lazy and sluggis

 

Primal Endurance is about slowing down, balancing out, chilling out, and having more fun with your endurance pursuits. It’s about building your health through sensible training patterns, instead of destroying your health through chronic training patterns. While it might be hard to believe at first glance, you can actually get faster by backing off from the overly aggressive and overly regimented “Type-A” training approach that prevails in today’s endurance community. Primal Endurance will show you how, every step of the way.

90 reviews for Primal Endurance: Escape chronic cardio and carbohydrate dependency and become a fat burning beast!

  1. Monica S.
    January 22, 2022
    5.0 out of 5 stars A great resource book
    I keep this handy. It's a great resource tool
    Helpful? 0 0
    Andy H
    February 16, 2021
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Life Changer
    I've already been following the Primal Blueprint, so this is even more specific to my goals. Its written to endurance athletes, so I'm also trying to ...More
    I've already been following the Primal Blueprint, so this is even more specific to my goals. Its written to endurance athletes, so I'm also trying to fit this into other pursuits. For instance, if your sport is Olympic weightlifting or CrossFit, you have to learn how specificity fits into these ideals. But there is always a way.
    Helpful? 0 0
    Robert Panico
    January 31, 2021
    5.0 out of 5 stars If your goal is lifetime fitness, this is the book.
    I am a doctor and cyclist for over 30 years and have read extensively on exercise topics. This book provides a concise but comprehensive, palatable bu...More
    I am a doctor and cyclist for over 30 years and have read extensively on exercise topics. This book provides a concise but comprehensive, palatable but formal guide for the committed fitness enthusiast. Really the Tony Robbins of the masters athlete.
    Helpful? 0 0
    KGold
    August 11, 2020
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent audiobook
    This is read by the authors which is fun because they add a few side notes and random thoughts. I really enjoyed it. I took it to heart. As someone j...More
    This is read by the authors which is fun because they add a few side notes and random thoughts. I really enjoyed it. I took it to heart. As someone just getting back into running, I used their approach and began running while keeping my heart rate low. Within two weeks I was already back up to five miles (in the past, that type of mileage would have taken me at least six weeks). I feel great. I haven’t taken everything to heart but it certainly changed the way I think about my health.
    Helpful? 0 0
    G Bakewell
    July 18, 2019
    5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring and life changing book.
    Awesome book. Got me started on my keto journey.
    Helpful? 0 0
    J.B.
    September 16, 2018
    5.0 out of 5 stars MUST READ FOR ANYONE LOOKING FOR BETTER PHYSICAL PERFORMANCE
    This book is loaded with great information and is a must read for anyone pursuing excellence in their health and athletic pursuits whether you're a no...More
    This book is loaded with great information and is a must read for anyone pursuing excellence in their health and athletic pursuits whether you're a novice or one who competes heavily in triathlons or marathons or anything physically demanding. I have used the tools in this book to give up being a sugar burner to a fat burner and I've never felt or performed better in my life. Give this a look.
    Helpful? 0 0
    runnergirl
    July 7, 2018
    5.0 out of 5 stars this book is a game changer for all types of runners!
    I love running! It is a passion for me and I was good at it for a time and then my health started to change. I was diagnosed with MS but that didn't s...More
    I love running! It is a passion for me and I was good at it for a time and then my health started to change. I was diagnosed with MS but that didn't stop me. Then bradycardia and a pacemaker. But that didn't stop me from running hard because i thought that is what you are supposed to do. Then low blood pressure and now trigeminal neuralgia. I kept running hard but getting sicker and it took my physical therapists to slow me down and read this book I started running aerobically after reading why I needed to do this and how it worked. I can't believe how it has changed me. I am stronger and have more endurance and know I am healthier. I love the humor in the book written by athlete's who understand the "brain" of an athlete and how crazy we can be.The book is also backed up by plenty of literature and facts that support running aerobically. I wish more cardiologists understood this and talked to their patients about this type of running while incorporating strength training and the keto food plan.
    Helpful? 0 0
    N. b.
    May 5, 2018
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Very informative—recommend!
    Helpful? 0 0
    Daniel Quirk
    April 8, 2018
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great read!
    As always, The primal book collection provides practical, evidence based guidelines for healthy living, written in an easy to read manner.
    Helpful? 0 0
    Jerry Perez
    March 2, 2018
    5.0 out of 5 stars Easy to digest info.
    Well layed out information. Great explanations and combined with their podcast, I put together a training program I am comfortable with and I'm sticki...More
    Well layed out information. Great explanations and combined with their podcast, I put together a training program I am comfortable with and I'm sticking too. Thanks Brad!
    Helpful? 0 0
    C&A’s Dad
    February 25, 2018
    5.0 out of 5 stars Keto and Heart Rate
    Relevant to anyone trying to lose weight, and develop fitness even if you are not an endurance athlete.
    Helpful? 0 0
    No. Cal.
    January 27, 2018
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good reseach and training details
    This book is over the top, way to detailed for my needs, nonetheless, I continue to read it since it has so much info.For serious minded athletes as ...More
    This book is over the top, way to detailed for my needs, nonetheless, I continue to read it since it has so much info.
    For serious minded athletes as well the the lazy ones like me.
    Helpful? 0 0
    Garrett
    August 14, 2017
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Great read. Challenges a lot of old ideas about traditional training but actually backs it up with studies
    Helpful? 0 0
    Chris Dawson
    July 24, 2017
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great nutrition and exercise advice for all levels.
    I've read several books on low carb high fat lifestyle and listen to numerous podcasts but this book is the best, most complete guide putting it all t...More
    I've read several books on low carb high fat lifestyle and listen to numerous podcasts but this book is the best, most complete guide putting it all together. Highly recommend.
    Helpful? 0 0
    Charly’s Mom
    July 16, 2017
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    arrived safely
    Helpful? 0 0
    Christopher Lewis
    July 14, 2017
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Mark Sisson's book is a real eye opener. The primal blueprint is the way to go.
    Helpful? 0 0
    Angela Lugo
    July 10, 2017
    5.0 out of 5 stars Primal Endurance is on point!
    Everything Mark Sisson writes is an easy read with many sources and great explanations! Anybody looking for lasting health while continuing endurance ...More
    Everything Mark Sisson writes is an easy read with many sources and great explanations! Anybody looking for lasting health while continuing endurance training needs to check out this book. Most endurance training is very short sighted and based on old and incongruent science. This is book explains very well why endurance training needs a major overhaul!
    Helpful? 0 0
    Terry
    June 2, 2017
    5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommend for all athletes...
    I have been working out and running for over forty years. I wish I had this information when I started, the injuries would have been minimal and gains...More
    I have been working out and running for over forty years. I wish I had this information when I started, the injuries would have been minimal and gains significant. I've already seen a difference since implementing the tools I've learned. Thank you Mark!!!
    Helpful? 0 0
    Simon Drake
    April 30, 2017
    5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome book. Eye opening
    You should buy it.
    Helpful? 0 0
    Frank
    April 5, 2017
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Good Stuff - Thanks.
    Helpful? 0 0
    Kevin Larson
    March 13, 2017
    5.0 out of 5 stars Couldn't recommend this any more if you haven't read anything about the primal lifestyle
    Loved the insight from this book. I took several nutrition classes in college, and was never able to get the results I wanted. 2 months of following ...More
    Loved the insight from this book. I took several nutrition classes in college, and was never able to get the results I wanted. 2 months of following the guidelines of this book have left me looking better than at my "prime" as a collegiate athlete, as well as on the way to that level of fitness nearly 10 years later.

    I purchased this book for several friends and family members and lead 2x as many to buy it. Absolutely life changing if you haven't read anything about Primal Lifestyle.
    Helpful? 0 0
    Rachel F.<span class="a-icon a-profile-verified-badge"><span class="a-profile-verified-text"></span></span>
    February 1, 2017
    5.0 out of 5 stars Hubby loves this book and the changes is body is ...
    Hubby loves this book and the changes is body is going thru with the lifestyle changes he is making. He was already a marathon runner but this author...More
    Hubby loves this book and the changes is body is going thru with the lifestyle changes he is making. He was already a marathon runner but this author really helps with training the body differently thru exercise and eating. Hubby was having a hard time figuring out why he would either gain weight or stay consistent with weight while training for marathons. Now he is a fat burner and loving it! He also has 21 day transformation by the same author.
    Helpful? 0 0
    roger simerman
    January 10, 2017
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    was on time with no damage
    Helpful? 0 0
    Eoin O Beara
    January 8, 2017
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great book.
    Great reference book. I was eating LCHF for 3 plys years before I bought this and a lot of the training I was already doing.
    Helpful? 0 0
    susan bolger
    November 8, 2016
    5.0 out of 5 stars Changed my thinking.
    Read this book. Challenge your thinking.
    Helpful? 0 0
    Facundo Gallego
    October 20, 2016
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Excelente book!!
    Helpful? 0 0
    Sideofpotatos
    October 20, 2016
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    This is just what I needed to hear how to unlock my physical potential!
    Helpful? 0 0
    Dunkers
    October 19, 2016
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Great read!
    Helpful? 0 0
    Risto
    September 13, 2016
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great advice for balanced endurance training
    This is very good advice to any endurance athlete, as well as balancing life. Very down to earth approach to all training.
    Helpful? 0 0
    Jeff
    September 6, 2016
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for understanding primal exercise and living habits
    Good set of basic informatin, and advanced tips about leading an exercise life that makes sense. I am an endurance cyclist and changed my training af...More
    Good set of basic informatin, and advanced tips about leading an exercise life that makes sense. I am an endurance cyclist and changed my training after reading this book. Already "paleo" and I was re-inspired.
    Helpful? 0 0
    Carl Bolyard
    September 3, 2016
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    A quick, informative read
    Helpful? 0 0
    bill of austin
    August 25, 2016
    5.0 out of 5 stars This one is my favorite.
    My second mark sisson book. This one is my favorite.
    Helpful? 0 0
    Acroav8r
    August 15, 2016
    5.0 out of 5 stars Easy to read
    Follows up the Primal Blueprint series. Easy to read, easy to follow. Smart and backed up with research.
    Helpful? 0 0
    Donald Seto
    August 1, 2016
    5.0 out of 5 stars I overhauled all my eating habits and I've never felt better.
    This book literally reshaped my life. Simple concepts and adjustments that led to worlds of difference in terms of energy and endurance. I overhauled ...More
    This book literally reshaped my life. Simple concepts and adjustments that led to worlds of difference in terms of energy and endurance. I overhauled all my eating habits and I've never felt better.
    Helpful? 0 0
    Erin Conlee
    July 28, 2016
    5.0 out of 5 stars This book changed how I train for the better!
    This book combines elements from the Paleo Lifestyle, and teaches you to utilize fat for energy, and perform at a higher level. I'm very happy to have...More
    This book combines elements from the Paleo Lifestyle, and teaches you to utilize fat for energy, and perform at a higher level. I'm very happy to have discovered Mark Sisson's work, and have read all his other books as well!
    Helpful? 0 0
    ParlsH
    July 20, 2016
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great book, highly informative & entertaining
    Great book, highly informative & entertaining. I used the principles (along with substantiating research) to drop 40lbs in just over 8 weeks. My...More
    Great book, highly informative & entertaining. I used the principles (along with substantiating research) to drop 40lbs in just over 8 weeks. My cholesterol dropped from "medication needed" to within 2% of normal.Get it, read it, love it, & eat some meat.
    Helpful? 0 0
    nicholas eger
    July 17, 2016
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great book. Makes you look at your health and ...
    Great book. Makes you look at your health and fitness in a new way. Even if you don't agree it will make you think about how you're living and maybe c...More
    Great book. Makes you look at your health and fitness in a new way. Even if you don't agree it will make you think about how you're living and maybe change some hard to break fitness habits.
    Helpful? 0 0
    Tracy S
    July 14, 2016
    5.0 out of 5 stars So far good information
    So far the information in this book is very intriguing. I am only in chapter 2 however, so I will do an update review when I am through.
    Helpful? 0 0
    Rich Edwards
    July 10, 2016
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Read
    As a lifelong, high intensity athlete, this book truly opened my eyes to what I believed to be "going easy," but now I've come to realize that Mark's ...More
    As a lifelong, high intensity athlete, this book truly opened my eyes to what I believed to be "going easy," but now I've come to realize that Mark's philosophy holds true.

    For the past twelve weeks, I cut back on the extremely high heart rate, in lieu of a more moderate approach. It has paid off ten fold.
    Helpful? 0 0
    KVRicks
    June 30, 2016
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great read! Very easy read
    Great read! Very easy read! Eye opening research and great advice for how to train better. As a person just starting to run there is a lot of info but...More
    Great read! Very easy read! Eye opening research and great advice for how to train better. As a person just starting to run there is a lot of info but geared to more seasoned runners. Wish there was a beginners plan included. Would recommend this to anyone who likes to run!
    Helpful? 0 0
    Irene Denver
    June 24, 2016
    5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome read...very informative
    Excellent knowledge on optimising max aerobic training to become an efficient endurance athlete with excellent training programs to follow including r...More
    Excellent knowledge on optimising max aerobic training to become an efficient endurance athlete with excellent training programs to follow including recovery methods.
    Helpful? 0 0
    Mike
    June 13, 2016
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Good book it did help me get some weight off...
    Helpful? 0 0
    Jen.A.
    May 20, 2016
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great book!
    Primal Endurance: Escape chronic cardio and carbohydrate dependency and become a fat burning beast!










    Very educational.
    Helpful? 0 0
    Christopher Kelly
    May 17, 2016
    5.0 out of 5 stars Bringing joy and sustainability to endurance activity
    I'm a pro mountain biker and I think I've learned the lessons told in this book the hard way. Twice. Slow down, go easy on easy days, when the time co...More
    I'm a pro mountain biker and I think I've learned the lessons told in this book the hard way. Twice. Slow down, go easy on easy days, when the time comes to go hard, have the energy and enthusiasm to go hard. Appreciate the role of diet. Eat fat. Value sleep. Manage stress. Add variety to your movement. Read this book once a year.
    Helpful? 0 0
    Product review
    April 27, 2016
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Very good book you just have to apply the information.
    Helpful? 0 0
    BhaktiBellaLuce
    April 20, 2016
    5.0 out of 5 stars Love it !
    Mark Sisson does not dissapoint ! Got this for my son, and I read it too. Something for everyone, just adapt the advice to your personal abilities.
    Helpful? 0 0
    L.M.
    March 24, 2016
    5.0 out of 5 stars If your ready to change your lifestyle.....
    Easy read, it gave me a new way to look at running and how to fuel and strengthen my body for stronger finishes on my runs. It's not for everyone tho...More
    Easy read, it gave me a new way to look at running and how to fuel and strengthen my body for stronger finishes on my runs. It's not for everyone though I have found that after the first month I feel stronger and faster and I get more out of my long run days.
    Helpful? 0 0
    Di Pie
    March 14, 2016
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Awesome
    Helpful? 0 0
    Paul M Hauge
    March 8, 2016
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Great book, good info and very happy with the results from following the advice for training.
    Helpful? 0 0
    BB
    March 7, 2016
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Easy read GREAT book
    Helpful? 0 0
    Michael McMaster
    March 7, 2016
    5.0 out of 5 stars The way of the future, in my view, done in a wonderfully readable style.
    Makes his points interesting, even fun, and useful. My son, who is a fitness nut and loved earlier Sisson "Primal" books, took this before I was fini...More
    Makes his points interesting, even fun, and useful. My son, who is a fitness nut and loved earlier Sisson "Primal" books, took this before I was finished so he could read it and put it into practice. He is a top waterspouts athlete.
    Helpful? 0 0
    Ben Walker
    March 6, 2016
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent for anyone interested in fitness and based diets
    Excellent and comprehensive book. I thoroughly enjoyed the whole thing. Good for athletes and anyone interested in fitness plus fat based diets. Biase...More
    Excellent and comprehensive book. I thoroughly enjoyed the whole thing. Good for athletes and anyone interested in fitness plus fat based diets. Biased toward LCHF or primal but expected and really what I wanted.
    Helpful? 0 0
    quoth the raven
    February 16, 2016
    5.0 out of 5 stars Stop the Madness
    FYI: I'm letting my friend, Paleo Lady, post this review to my account.It's bad enough when dedicated adult endurance athletes burn themselves to toas...More
    FYI: I'm letting my friend, Paleo Lady, post this review to my account.

    It's bad enough when dedicated adult endurance athletes burn themselves to toast following conventional training protocols, but when we subject high school athletes to training schedules that almost literally leave the State competitions to the last young men and women standing, there is something seriously wrong. Mark and Brad explain why brutal weekday workouts and insane calls for teenagers to "go to the well" weekend after weekend in competition necessarily result in chronic injury and metabolic stress so severe it can take months (or years!) to recover. The fact is that coaches nationwide are ruining the mental and physical health and athletic careers of trusting young people every season. If you care about young endurance athletes, read this book.

    Likewise, if you care about yourself as a serious adult competitor, either full or part-time, read this book.

    And finally, for anyone who cares about their health but simply can't find the will or the way to fill a logbook of workouts, Mark and Brad give us a whole new perspective on baseline endurance using a long, slow approach within the grasp of those of us who are older, or less fit, or who have physical limitations (for example, fibromyalgia) that preclude the high-stress approach to fitness.

    Their nutritional advice is excellent as well, although "eating primal" can be a lot harder financially, practically, and even emotionally than those in the paleo/primal movement might want to admit, given, for just one example, the widespread social and cultural endorsement of the food-drugs so many of us are quite literally addicted to. But they are right, of course, that ideally a diet without refined sugar or modern grains can allow our bodies to burn the cleanest fuel possible: fats (our stored body fat or dietary fat).

    The book itself may seem a bit repetitive (do we really need soundbite previews and recaps of every single chapter?) and rah-rah for some, but the authors' enthusiasm seems genuine, and might just inspire a few of us to make the rather major changes that will, probably, allow us to "Lose excess body fat"! "Reduce stress"! and even "Have more fun"! Or, perhaps more importantly, live long enough without ruining our bodies to age, as the authors have, into health and well-being, instead of out of it.
    Helpful? 0 0
    Michael
    February 9, 2016
    5.0 out of 5 stars PRIMAL ENDURANCE will turn endurance training on its head.
    I am not a professional endurance athlete but a person who dabbles in endurance training to stay fit and lose weight. Otherwise know as chronic cardi...More
    I am not a professional endurance athlete but a person who dabbles in endurance training to stay fit and lose weight. Otherwise know as chronic cardio. We are all familiar with chromic cardio wherein we work out at a steady pace above 75% of our heartrate for hours at a time. We all have heard how it is the best way to build endurance and lose fat. What Mark and Brad say is that the human body wasn't made to undergo this extreme type of training (STRESS) for excessive periods of time. This type of training in fact destroys the body instead of building it up.
    Conventional wisdom says we as humans are sugar burners. However, Mark and Brad throw that notion out by saying that humans since the beginning have been fat burning machines. Since we are, we need to change the way we train so that we emphasize fat and not sugar (carbs). Say goodbye to high carb loading days. They aren't necessary if you train the right way. I have started training as they suggest and I have noticed a difference even though I have a long way to go.
    Also proper nutrition is emphasized. Not the high carb low fat diet but a moderate to low carb high fat diet based on whole foods. Forget processed foods if you want to attain the best you can be.
    It is absolutely a must read for anyone who is tired of endless endurance training without the results that should be present.
    Helpful? 0 0
    J. Garcia
    February 6, 2016
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Another great book by The Primal Blueprint author. Grok on!
    Helpful? 0 0
    C. A. Williamson
    February 4, 2016
    5.0 out of 5 stars The advice from Mark and Brad in this book is spot on for getting lean, and getting stronger in endurance performance -very easy
    I love this book. The information that Mark and Brad have put together is the same as what I have found that works for endurance performance. Many y...More
    I love this book. The information that Mark and Brad have put together is the same as what I have found that works for endurance performance. Many years ago I followed the conventional wisdom that eating low fat, high carb was the way to go. It was very odd because following this diet, I had a spare tire around my waist. WTF!! What was even odder was that I was exercising a lot. People said that was what you need to do to lose weight...burn body fat. It was not working. Again, WTF!! One year I trained and ran 2 marathons (one in June, and the other in October). I didn't lose any weight that year even though I was exercising almost every day; lifting weights, biking, and doing very long runs. A couple years ago I changed my diet to low carb, high fat, a paleo/primal diet. In 3 months, I lost 50 pounds and I was just sitting on the couch watching TV. Go figure.

    Today, I still have a little spare tire, but I am following Mark and Brad's advice in Primal Endurance and my stomach is getting flat. What amazes me is how easy it is. I eat the right foods. I lift weights, but the workout doesn't take hardly any time...just 3 times a week for 30-45 minutes. I do a 5 by 5 workout and can do 5-7 exercises in that time. I do squats, Romanian deadlifts, straight leg deadlifts, and more. I love it. I also run long runs a couple times during the week for 1-2 hours each. I do sprints once a week too. The time I am exercising is shorter than what I was doing in the past, but the quality is very good. It really works. I am getting lean and my performance is outstanding. I am getting stronger in the lifts, and my running is very easy. It is awesome! Right now, I am losing 2-3 pounds of body fat a week, and I am looking awesome too. Thanks!!! This book rocks!
    Helpful? 0 0
    Michael L. Dilandro
    February 2, 2016
    5.0 out of 5 stars The book is useful for those who want to compete or just enjoy ...
    Primal Endurance is focused for those among us who want to perform in long distance events such as marathons, triathlons or ultras. The book is usefu...More
    Primal Endurance is focused for those among us who want to perform in long distance events such as marathons, triathlons or ultras. The book is useful for those who want to compete or just enjoy participating in casual endurance sports such as running, cycling and swimming. I must admit that I am somewhat of a biased reviewer. I have immense respect for both Mark and Brad. I’m also certainly not what you would consider an endurance athlete. I despise jogging and always have. I will occasionally go out for a 40 mile cycling trip, but those journeys usually entail stopping at a great barbecue joint or microbrewery. All that said, I thoroughly enjoyed reading Primal Endurance and learned quite a few things along the way.
    One of the more interesting things I learned about in the book deals with the Maffletone number. First a little background. I’ve often heard Mark write and speak about the large number of his running colleagues that have passed away, while still being quite fit. Note that there is a difference between being fit and being healthy. The toll that long hours of repetitive endurance cardio training takes, fueled by high carbohydrate diets, has too often been a recipe for disaster. Mark and Brad stress periodization in Primal Endurance. They emphasize a rest period in the off season and recommend starting off the new season by keeping the body in the fat burning zone, versus going into the cardio zone, while training. Most of you have likely used a piece of gym equipment like a treadmill or elliptical and seen heart rate numbers for fat burning and cardio zones on these machines. These zones are based on the approximation formula where your maximum heart rate is supposed to be 220 minus your age. The fat burning zone is approximately 55-75% of your max heart rate. Once you exceed the fat burning zone you enter the cardio zone. Phil Maffletone is a running coach who has written the book The Big Book of Endurance Training and Racing. The Maffletone number is the maximum number you should allow your heart rate to go up to when beginning training for endurance events. By not exceeding this number you will keep yourself in an aerobic, fat burning zone and build up your “aerobic engine”. This training phase could last several weeks and its purpose is to train the body’s aerobic system (meaning with oxygen, which occurs when fat is burned). When the body enters the cardio zone it becomes anaerobic and burns without oxygen. The stress imparted on the body is much greater in the cardio zone, as many more dangerous free radicals are created when burning sugar for fuel, versus burning fat for fuel in the fat burning zone. The Maffletone number is also a simple equation. It equals 180 minus your age. So I’m 50 years old and my Maffletone number would be 180-50 or 130 beats per minute (BPM). The majority of my endurance training should be limited to that upper heart rate of 130 BPM. Primal Endurance has multiple testimonials of world class endurance athletes that tried this approach of slowing down during training. At first they complain that training doesn’t even feel like training, because they are restricted by their Maffletone number. But when their competitions begin, amazing things start to happen. They are much better rested and not only compete just as well as they did previously, but they consistently beat they personal bests. The lesson here is more and harder is not always better. You need to train smarter.
    Strength training is a bit of a controversial topic among endurance athletes. Some believe that strength training is not only a waste of time, because it takes away from precious actual endurance training, but it could also add bulk to an endurance athlete’s frame leading to slower competitive times. Mark and Brad blow this premise away and focus a chapter on how strength training can significantly improve competitive endurance athletics. They feature Jacques DeVore and his concept of Maximum Sustained Power (MSP) training. Instead of the classical workouts consisting of 3 sets of 8-12 reps per set, the MSP approach uses heavier weight and less reps. The theory behind this approach is that MSP training will teach the body to be more explosive and fatigue less. The fatigue less part is what ultimately helps competitive endurance athletes once again beat their personal bests. So how does an MSP workout go? It’s best done with exercises that are total body such as squats, one legged presses or deadlifts. Many trainers believe that the deadlift is the ultimate total body exercise. In the MSP workout you first need to find your 5 rep maximum weight. This means that with this weight, you should be able to perform 5 reps before your form starts to falter. Once you know your 5 rep max number, you follow the rep sequence 4-3-2-2-2-1. You should rest 10-20 seconds between each mini set. If you feel good enough after this sequence, rest a couple of minutes after the last mini set, before repeating the routine. The key is to not lower the weight during the entire workout. It should be noted that the classical workouts consisting of 3 sets of 8-12 reps per set are intend to increase hypertrophy (your muscles get larger). When using the MSP workout you will become more powerful, but will not add the bulk, which has its advantages when competing in endurance sports. If you happen to being looking at getting larger muscles, you still may want to vary your routine to mix in an MSP workout every so often, to increase your strength.
    Primal Endurance is loaded with many other fascinating topics such as proper diet for peak performance, ketogenic training, how to use sprint workouts to better endurance performance and tips for optimal recovery. Whether you are seriously competitive in endurance sports or just really enjoy going for long runs or bike rides, this book is well worth reading.
    Helpful? 0 0
    Isaac
    February 1, 2016
    5.0 out of 5 stars Required reading for any athlete, not just the endurance or Primal ones.
    What a refreshing read, even for me. I've been following Mark via his Daily Apple for years and thought that this book would be 100% review of everyth...More
    What a refreshing read, even for me. I've been following Mark via his Daily Apple for years and thought that this book would be 100% review of everything he's written about on the blog. But even as soon as the introduction I began to understand that this book was going to help me put together all the pieces into a framework for my training mentality. More than detailing each separate component, I gathered a theory of training that will help me improve on my own in the future. Mark and Brad are "teaching me to fish" instead of just handing over tonight's dinner. Burned out? Plateau of progress? I have a toolbox to address these on my own in the future. And as with anything Primal, it's a lifestyle that I can apply 24/7. Not just when I'm out training or coaching someone else.

    Most helpful for me, however, is that much of the theory that is used here for endurance training can be applied to my particular sport of choice, CrossFit. After years as a recreational cyclist, I transitioned to CrossFit for the community and thrill of being able to "lift heavy things" without worrying about how it might make me heavy and slow on the bike. Recently I've been concerned that my aerobic engine isn't as awesome as it was right after I quit cycling, but this book has given me hope and a plan to jump start that skill and maintain it without sacrificing the strength, speed, and power I need for anaerobic competition.

    Thanks guys, keep the Primal knowledge coming!
    Helpful? 0 0
    Matt Phillips
    January 31, 2016
    5.0 out of 5 stars Useful on many levels, to many different types of endurance activities
    I approached this book from the point of view of a wilderness backpacker who was looking for hacks to improve distance and speed, while maintaining co...More
    I approached this book from the point of view of a wilderness backpacker who was looking for hacks to improve distance and speed, while maintaining comfort on an already low-carb diet. This book is totally geared for endurance athletes, but covers each subject thouroughly enough for any other type of athlete (or even non-athlete), to come away with a TON of useful information.

    The chapter on building an aerobic base has changed my views on training for big hikes entirely, and will open new opportunities for non-sugar fuels on even the most challenging hikes. I'll be shopping today for a heart rate monitor so I can take a very strict approach to aerobic training going forward.

    I imagine that the diet chapter would be totally necessary for someone stuck in the carbohydrate (sugar) paradigm, and it presented me (a low-carb verteran) with useful information on how to tailor diet to an endurance focused approach to fitness. Related to, but far more interesting to me than the diet chapter was the chapter on ketogenic endurance training. I don't anticipate maintaining high intensity levels for anything longer than a couple of mile+ climbs, but knowing that I can now do it with mininimal or no sugar is super freeing, and will certainly lighten my backpack on multi-day adventures.

    I had previously added an element of strength training to my weekly fitness routine, but the chapter on strength training presented a lower-risk, high-reward approach to strength training that will add strength without adding unnecessary bulk muscle weight. I'm not a bodybuilder, and similar to an endurance athlete a better strength to weight ratio is far more useful for my purposes.

    Finally, the chapter on recovery has pointed out some HUGE flaws in my post-hike practices (or lack thereof), and I'm goiong to utilize several of the tips provided to keep myself primed for strenuous efforts that span several days. I needed more reasons to hop into glacial-fed alpine lakes anyway.

    I kinda feel as though I've stumbled upon a book of secret powers - and I've never been more tempted to sign up for a half marathon to test them out! I'm definitely going to pass this book along to several friends who are serious runners.
    Helpful? 0 0
    Kathleen Seagle
    January 27, 2016
    5.0 out of 5 stars Running is fun again. I'm not exhausted and in pain all ...
    The Primal Blueprint changed my life. I already see the same benefits taught in Primal Endurance being applied to my life. Running is fun again. I'...More
    The Primal Blueprint changed my life. I already see the same benefits taught in Primal Endurance being applied to my life. Running is fun again. I'm not exhausted and in pain all the time. I'm not running to the fridge and pantry right after runs any longer. So excited for this book and lifestyle in general.
    Helpful? 0 0
    K. Adams
    January 27, 2016
    5.0 out of 5 stars Be the athlete you never thought you could be
    What a great book – even for the new or casual athlete. It dispels the myth that the only way you can get into shape is by pounding out hours of heav...More
    What a great book – even for the new or casual athlete. It dispels the myth that the only way you can get into shape is by pounding out hours of heavy exercise each and every day. By looking at your body more holistically through how you feed it and how you approach exercise, you can definitely become the athlete you always wanted to be. I am living proof of that – having switched to a Primal style diet and integrating regular moderate exercise back into my life, I weigh less that I have since college and have turned my ‘I hate running’ attitude into ‘can’t wait for my 6 mile run this weekend’. Your body is a system - paying attention to it by eating well, sleeping well, exercising right and reducing stress you can make great strides in your health and well being.
    Helpful? 0 0
    Aariel’s
    January 24, 2016
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating and game-changing strategy for ultimate fitness
    Primal Endurance is a fascinating, well-written, well-researched and fun to read book about attaining ultimate health and fitness. While it turns eve...More
    Primal Endurance is a fascinating, well-written, well-researched and fun to read book about attaining ultimate health and fitness. While it turns everything most athletes have believed for years on its head, there seems to be a great deal of science and anecdotal success stories to back it up.

    Both my husband and I have been reading the book and learning a lot from it. I'm pretty much a fitness beginner, just started to run for the first time in my life this summer - so I think the book will make sure I build a solid and maintainable level of fitness. My husband has been running regularly for years and occasionally competing with good results - but this summer he got injured and burned out from what was probably overtraining. So Primal Endurance is a really eye-opening read for him and involves a complete shift in the way he's used to training - but he's giving it a real try to see how it works.

    The book is very thorough and definitely exceeded my expectations on the amount of information it would contain. It includes sections on not just training, but the importance of rest, diet, stress, sleep, etc - it's a real prescription for how to live a healthy lifestyle, and I think it can be just as useful for people who are only trying to be fit and strong and who aren't runners.

    I love the success stories scattered throughout the book - through the personal anecdotes you can see clearly how this training program has worked for many people, including many very serious and very successful athletes, bringing them to a higher level of fitness and overall health with much less injury than they had faced before. The stories are extremely motivational as well as being fun.

    Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone looking to achieve and maintain high levels of fitness while not compromising their health in the way that many athletes do.
    Helpful? 0 0
    EAP
    January 20, 2016
    5.0 out of 5 stars This book is yet another amazing example of the life-changing knowledge Mark Sisson compiles and shares
    I began reading Mark Sisson's blog after prematurely ending my running career in 2010, and absolutely loved everything on it. I gradually transitioned...More
    I began reading Mark Sisson's blog after prematurely ending my running career in 2010, and absolutely loved everything on it. I gradually transitioned from an overtrained competitive carb-based runner to the primal lifestyle, which I have been following for the past 6 years now. After 6 years of reading everything Mark and his team puts out I am amazed at how much I can still learn from this man.

    One great thing about Mark, which is conveyed extremely well in this book, is his absolute dedication to presenting the evidence on health and fitness. Unlike other health gurus and experts, he is willing to adjust or change his stance on certain beliefs if enough evidence surfaces. This book amends and expands upon his frequent advice to avoid chronic cardio and explains perfectly how endurance athletes who love their sports can continue to do so safely and effectively.

    The biggest takeaways I really needed to hear, and got in this book, (aside from the refresher course on the Primal laws - always helpful!):
    - Take it easy
    - Build an aerobic base
    - Avoid the "black hole"
    - Train simply and intuitively

    As a former extremely competitive distance runner, I was devastated that my running career was sidelined due to overtraining injuries at 19 years old, and further demotivated by unsuccessful attempts to re-start running since. Although I have successfully channeled my competitiveness into strength sports I find myself craving running at times. This book has given me the final motivation, perspective, and most importantly a KNOWLEDGEABLE and ACTIONABLE plan to give it one more try. I am confident with Mark's advice, and a real commitment to keeping my ego in check and in line with my aerobic abilities, I will be able to restart an activity I love.

    Thanks Mark Sission for this and all you do!!!!!!!!
    Helpful? 0 0
    Iggy
    January 16, 2016
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excited to try this training approach!
    I am an avid reader of Mark Sisson’s blog - Mark’s Daily Apple - and have been looking forward to this book since it was first mentioned on his blog.I...More
    I am an avid reader of Mark Sisson’s blog - Mark’s Daily Apple - and have been looking forward to this book since it was first mentioned on his blog.
    I’m a 43 year old woman who loves endurance sports but I have also had major problems with burnout, illness and injury while following conventional training approaches. The past few years, I have transitioned into eating a Primal style diet for the majority of the time, and have also tapered off constant cardio training and focused more on body weight resistance training (power yoga, etc.). This has helped immensely with my energy levels, body composition, and overall health. However, I LOVE long distance road cycling, and want to enjoy that sport to the fullest, without compromising my health or energy!

    Primal Endurance is enjoyable to read and chock full of information that goes into a greater level of detail than you would find on the MDA blog. The Primal Endurance approach to training covers it all from how to build your fitness through nutrition and workout, to rest, recovery, and living a life in balance. I love the statement on the back cover… “Enjoy a refreshing alternative to the “struggle and suffer” approach” (too many people I know adhere proudly to the struggle and suffer mentality, unfortunately!)

    Of the many insightful topics covered in the book, there are a few things in particular that I feel will help me immensely with building strength. As an amateur athlete who has never had the benefit of working with a trainer, here are some of the concepts presented in the book that are totally new to me…

    1. Building an Aerobic Base - how to use a heart monitor to stay in an aerobic zone and how to develop aerobic capacity and fitness *without* over stressing your body

    2. Incorporating Maximum Sustained Power workouts to your program once you have built an aerobic base

    3. Endurance training in a Ketogenic state - not sure at this point if I want to pursue full ketogenic training but it’s great to know more about it, and how to approach it.

    The book presents all of these concepts in a clear manner, with explanation of how to apply these principles to your own level of fitness. I look forward to getting out there and trying it out for myself!
    Helpful? 0 0
    Leah Wingfield
    January 15, 2016
    5.0 out of 5 stars For every athlete-every age!
    Only read this book if you are interested in training, competing and living without injury, stress and illness. Mark Sisson and Brad Kearns do a fant...More
    Only read this book if you are interested in training, competing and living without injury, stress and illness. Mark Sisson and Brad Kearns do a fantastic job of compiling their experience and the knowledge of others in the field to give an inspiring prescription for lifelong athletic energy. While you are healing from your latest injury, open your mind and read this book.
    Helpful? 0 0
    Richard Masta
    January 14, 2016
    5.0 out of 5 stars a useful tool
    I'm not an athlete, but I'm in decent shape, though still desiring that longevity and "explosiveness" that athletes exhibit even when they're not perf...More
    I'm not an athlete, but I'm in decent shape, though still desiring that longevity and "explosiveness" that athletes exhibit even when they're not performing. I've never got why people put themselves through the typical gym torture only to never make progress, so I seek alternate ideas. I like the methodical approach the book takes, as a training plan, to start with building an aerobic base and then working through strength training, diet, and lifestyle choices outside of the athletic field. It's surely a more grown-up version of Sisson's previous "Primal Blueprint," I think.

    I love how the first section of the book is a bulletpoint by bulletpoint list of every key concept in the book. It introduced all of the grammar necessary to navigate the book, making it particularly easy for folks like me who want to define terms like "aerobic max heart rate" or "periodization" before diving in. Absorption of the material within is much easier, which makes it much easier for me to get to work! The book is like an aerobic workout -- you gotta read it slow and keep yourself paced, to get the best of it -- take lots of notes, and really enjoy it! But it's not dry or boring. Anecdotal and scientific sidebars are mixed in, as well as numerous photos offering a fun poke at the authors' past lives as athletes, keeping it very interesting for each type of reader.

    For the investigative self-experimenter, this is a good tool to have.
    Helpful? 0 0
    M. Stolasz
    January 13, 2016
    5.0 out of 5 stars Ground-breaking in many ways...
    When I heard that this book was coming out I could not wait to get my hands on it. I had some ideas of my own on what works best for endurance athlete...More
    When I heard that this book was coming out I could not wait to get my hands on it. I had some ideas of my own on what works best for endurance athletes and it was NOT the conventional wisdom so I was anxious to see what these 2 highly respected authors had to say on the subject and my fingers were crossed that it would be a totally fresh, out of the box take on endurance training. Very seldom in life do you get your wish, but I am happy to say that this is one of those times…..
    In 2012 I trained for a January marathon in the traditional way. I found a respected training calendar, ran 3-4 days a week, and was very strict and serious about my training. I never missed a day. Even when I felt tired I pushed through it and stuck to my training. It was a tough experience and I experienced fatigue and overuse injuries in the form of hamstring and IT band problems. I took minimal time off to let these heal and stayed on target. I completed my race with a respectable time and felt quite proud.
    in 2014 I trained again for a January marathon. Unwilling to go through the same problems I took a much more organic approach. I ran 2 days a week and devoted the other 2 days to strength training, I took days off when I felt like it. I trusted my gut instead of my training calendar. I cut runs short if they started going badly. People around me were pretty darn skeptical about this approach. “That’s fine, I’m sure you’ll finish, as long as you’re not expecting to run for any kind of time….” was expressed to me several times. I felt like a bit of a slacker, and like I had to defend myself for the choices I was making. At times I simply glossed over what I was doing like it was a dirty little secret. Fast forward to race day… I had a GREAT run, and shattered my previous time by 25 minutes!
    So what would Mark Sisson and Brad Kearns have to say about that? They would say GREAT JOB! Stay strong, run less, strength train more, listen to your body, trust your gut, be sure to keep it FUN and take days off when you need them. Fuel with more quality fats and proteins and fewer carbs after teaching your body to become more fat adapted. In other words, when I was training for race #2, I was doing it right even though I felt guilty for breaking “the rules”. It sure did feel right and it’s great to be able to read this book and learn even MORE on the subject.
    For those who are fans and followers of Primal Blueprint and Mark’s Daily Apple, you WILL find some re-cap in this book. There had to be a general overview to the primal lifestyle for endurance athletes who are unaware of this who might pick the book up. It is definitely STILL worth your time and money. There is subject matter here that is not covered anywhere else. I would say this book is ground-breaking in many ways. There are a few more things that deserve mentioning…
    1.) This book is an amazing asset to the competitive athlete but it is not at all about training to win. I think that if you incorporated the ideas here into your training that winning is, indeed what you would do, but there is as much here for the weekend warrior and the person who wants to dabble in endurance events just for the fun of it. The wisdom on finding the balance between performance and longevity/sustainability is wonderful.

    2.) I found the index extremely useful in looking up topics and re-finding things that I had read and wanted to find again.

    3.) Even though this is a book that wants you to trust your gut more than your schedule, there ARE some sample training schedules in the back of the book for runners and triathletes. That sounds counter-intuitive but they are there to give the reader ideas and, I suspect to show us what the minimum effective dose can look like when put into practice.

    I expect this volume to be re-read, loaned out, and dog-eared within the year!
    Helpful? 0 0
    Kaydski
    January 13, 2016
    5.0 out of 5 stars Build a "Tesla engine", not a "DumbCar engine", to carry you through your workouts!
    The book "Primal Endurance" provides a powerful and necessary message that you do not need to subject yourself to excessive exercise or carbohydrate h...More
    The book "Primal Endurance" provides a powerful and necessary message that you do not need to subject yourself to excessive exercise or carbohydrate heavy diets to become your best possible self - whether you are a professional athlete or an individual simply wanting to be healthy. The discussions about diet and exercise are animated by the comparison of an athlete building either a "Tesla engine" or a "SmartCar/DumbCar engine" to take into training, competition and every day life. The tone of the book is upbeat, funny and scientific, while being down-to-earth. I found myself realizing that each bit of information could be applied to both professional athletes and older men and women who just like to take a neighborhood stroll after dinner. Few, if any, books on fitness can reach such a wide audience at the same time. Congratulations to the authors for their contribution and for filling a niche in the industry that no one even knew existed until now! I will keep referring back to this book as I coach athletes and also as I personally move forward - reaching to become my best possible self!
    Helpful? 0 0
    Joe Marks
    January 12, 2016
    5.0 out of 5 stars Primal blueprint for endurance athletes
    There's lots of "Primal" but not so much "Endurance" in this interesting new book. If you are an endurance runner like me (71 marathons and ultras) y...More
    There's lots of "Primal" but not so much "Endurance" in this interesting new book. If you are an endurance runner like me (71 marathons and ultras) you might at first wonder what Sisson and Kearns are up to. It is clearly not another book on how to run your first marathon. In fact, the thrust of the book is that "chronic cardio" is bad for you and should be replaced with, well, the Primal Lifestyle. These authors support their case with decades of personal experience at the elite level, plus results of clinical studies, biographies of dozens of athletes, and input from high-octane experts including Phil Maffetone, Tim Noakes, Kelly Starrett, Steve Phinney, and others.

    There is a lot that is new and different here, and I see it as a valid argument for a healthy change in how many of us have exercised, fueled, and lived since the 1970's. The authors are correct that many of us were broken down and injured from all the miles, and high carb diets caused us to put on excess weight. All the things that we thought would make us thin, fast, and healthy actually made us fat, slow, and gave us metabolic syndrome. Sisson and Kearns urge us to sprint rather than go long, eat fat rather than carbs, train inconsistently, sleep long, and to mix it up with lots of functional whole-body movements and playful activities. Many new methods and treatments are covered, including ECM healing of injuries, heart rate variability (HRV) training, and the RTX cooling glove.

    This book is revolutionary, but it is so well supported that it cannot be ignored. Emphasis is placed on incorporating sport and exercise into a healthful lifestyle. I've been following these suggestions and it works!
    Helpful? 0 0
    Mlvtk
    January 12, 2016
    5.0 out of 5 stars Primal Endurance - not just for athletes
    I always wanted to be a runner. I picked up books such as Born to Run and Couch to 5K in hopes of making myself into a runner. I tried some apps to ...More
    I always wanted to be a runner. I picked up books such as Born to Run and Couch to 5K in hopes of making myself into a runner. I tried some apps to help me become a runner and loose that little extra weight I was carrying. I was also hoping to steer clear of the depression that plagued me one winter before: a black abyss that drained me of energy and will to live. I tried to eat clean, but I invariably ended up with desires for sugar. Instead, I ended feeling bad after each workout. Sniffles and colds after a workout session were common, and the weight wouldn't budge. Now I know why: heart rate matters. Fuel matters. Chronic cardio weakens you. Mark Sisson and Brad Kearns do a marvelous job of explaining these concepts in Primal Endurance.

    Mark's Daily Apple was my introduction to the Paleo movement, and I've been following this blog since those days when I tried the cardio-coaster that didn't work. And while I never plan on being an endurance athlete, this book holds a wealth of knowledge that I can still apply as a new mother getting back into shape (breastfeeding, carrying my baby everywhere, eating clean, and keeping moving have done wonders). I also hope to inspire my husband with this book: I'm leaving it in the bathroom (a.k.a. the reading room) where I'm sure he'll peruse it. He's still in that old "the harder I work, the more fit I'll be" mindset that only wears your body out. (If this is your mindset, do yourself a favor and buy a copy of this book. ;)

    One of my favorite aspects of this book is that, while you can easily read it from cover to cover, the summary sections provide a great way to quickly understand what's important in this book. The book begins with one of these sections (115 Things You Need to Know), and each chapter ends with a summary as well. Not that you shouldn't read the entire book, but as a teacher, I appreciate the sound pedagogy in this: summaries always help the reader retain information. Awesome job, gentlemen.

    While Primal Endurance is certainly geared toward the competitive, triathalon, utra-athletic crowd, the average Jane or Joe - like me - will still enjoy its content and be able to glean tips that will help in his or her health journey. That's the power of Primal - it's concepts work, no matter the pace of your path: walk, run, or sprint. ;)
    Helpful? 0 0
    Reviewer
    January 12, 2016
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Different Approach to Endurance Training
    The two primary themes of this book are that your endurance goals, even at an elite level, can be achieved by taking a different approach to the tradi...More
    The two primary themes of this book are that your endurance goals, even at an elite level, can be achieved by taking a different approach to the traditional high-carb diet plus high-intensity/high-volume training paradigm. In fact, the authors argue and back up with numerous case studies that taking a very different approach can lead not only to overall performance gains but can do so in a sustainable manner that avoids burnout and the various health issues that are common among the endurance crowd.

    In the introduction the authors lay out some of the problems with the traditional approach to endurance training and give a brief overview of how the primal endurance approach is different. They present a nice analogy of how their methods equate with being a solar powered plant (i.e. clean and sustainable) versus a coal plant (just the opposite).

    The early chapters are the most comprehensive. They provide detailed explanations of why training at lower heart rate levels than is typical allows the athlete to build an aerobic base without compromising health and why fueling your endurance efforts with a high-fat, low-carb diet will both eliminate unwanted body fat and provide a steadier supply of fuel for your endurance efforts. With the information provided anybody could bring their training in line with the primal endurance philosophy.

    The next several chapters outline some additional topics which the authors feel are neglected by most endurance athletes but could greatly accelerate their progress and allow them to maintain a high level of performance. Ketogenic endurance training, strength training, and sprinting are addressed in these chapters. None of these topics are discussed in depth (certainly a book could be written about each topic alone) but I believe the point here is to give the readers an overview as to why they're potentially beneficial and some ideas about integrating them into a training regimen. I see these as secondary to the primary themes listed above.

    There are plenty of case studies laced throughout the text detailing the exploits of elite endurance athletes (including the two authors) and their success in switching their approach to the one outlined in the book. There is also a dedicated chapter with more of these stories. It was interesting to note that, especially in regards to dietary specifics, there were slight deviations among the athletes which goes to show that this is not a regimented program but allows the flexibility to find what works for you.

    The book's final chapters address complementary lifestyle practices, recovery optimization and how to balance performing at a high level with health and longevity goals. The lifestyle practices are right in line with what Mark espouses both on his website and via his other books. The recovery chapter has a fairly detailed discussion of how Heart Rate Variability can help you avoid overtraining along with an overview of other recovery methods (compression, self-myofascial release, etc.).

    I found this to be an extremely well-written work that will be of value to anybody interested in improving their performance in endurance events, not just the paleo/primal crowd. Highly recommended!
    Helpful? 0 0
    H. Spidell
    January 11, 2016
    5.0 out of 5 stars Finally a sensible and easy to follow way to train and exercise no matter what your athletic ability. No more burnout.
    You look around and you realize things have to change. People are sick, overtrained and overweight. This book is not just for the endurance athlete b...More
    You look around and you realize things have to change. People are sick, overtrained and overweight. This book is not just for the endurance athlete but for the everyday exerciser. This book is so well written and easy to follow that it should be a go to on everyone's bookshelf. I will not only use it for myself and for my clients but as a reference to educate people to a healthier way of living. Whether you are an endurance athlete or someone tired of trying the chronic, painful and unhealthy ways of staying fit this book could and should be your last stop.
    Who doesn't want to slow down, eat better, train intuitively and enjoy life through movement all while maintaining your healthiest mind and body ever.
    It is not just fluff, there is science behind what Mark Sisson has to say and you can't forget he has been there done that. Brad Kearns and others are examples/proof of how less training, using fat as energy and not relying on consistency can make you a better athlete and avoid burnout.
    The book is genius and easy to follow. It is written to help the endurance athlete and it will. But this book belongs in the hands of everyone trying to figure out why their chronic exercise and diets are making them sick and fat.
    You will learn how to train, eat, optimize recovery and balance stress and rest. Looking forward to eight weeks in the aerobic zone.
    Helpful? 0 0
    Robert Ancker
    January 10, 2016
    5.0 out of 5 stars Doctor recommended! All in one book!
    I'm a medical physician who started dabbling in triathlon & other endurance sports about 5 years ago. I first read the Born to Run and Gary Taubes...More
    I'm a medical physician who started dabbling in triathlon & other endurance sports about 5 years ago. I first read the Born to Run and Gary Taubes's Why We Get Fat books. They got me thinking that the 6 sugary gels that I used during my first Sprint Triathlon seemed counter to being healthy. Then I read Phil Maffetone's The Maffetone Method that changed my running. I really resonated with his concept of the difference of being fit vs. healthy! So I started exploring more... It brought me to Mark Sisson and his Primal Blueprint & Marksdailyapple.com to become a primal living person. I found more science of diet with Gary Taubes in Good Calories, Bad Calories. Then to Dr. Tim Noakes in relation to the central governor, hydration & more diet info. Then more science with Drs Phinney & Volek! I felt overwhelmed & a little disconnected with all the info! I wished that all the essential information was all in ONE place!! Now, along comes Primal Endurance. YAY! It's all here. Thus is now the place to start for anyone participating in endurance sports of any kind.

    It has all the essentials:
    1. a great summary of concepts in the beginning
    2. a good review of aerobic fitness & training via the Maffetone Method
    3. the SECRET to weight loss, healthy living & fueling training.....hint its about being fat adapted! Good science review.
    4. why & how to use strength training & sprinting
    5. the all important sleep & recovery.
    6. more!

    Each chapter has nice end review. Suggested reading & index supplied.
    What you will not find are detailed training plans. Most importantly you learn that such plans are part of the problem. This book does give you the tools & concepts & training guidelines to implement any type of training that is HEALTHY!!
    Helpful? 0 0
    Stephen Leonard
    January 9, 2016
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Potentially Life-Changing Textbook
    I have been Primal/Paleo for over three years and Marksdailyapple.com introduced me to the ancestral health movement. When I heard about 'Primal Endu...More
    I have been Primal/Paleo for over three years and Marksdailyapple.com introduced me to the ancestral health movement. When I heard about 'Primal Endurance', I wondered if the book would be worth reading because I was a) already familiar with the Primal Lifestyle, and, b) not particularly interested in endurance events. Since getting my hands on the book, what has been most impressive -- and what responds most directly to my concerns -- is the type of book this is. This is a textbook.

    It's no surprise that this text's development coincided with the development of the Primal Certification program: the latter has been described by Sisson as comparable to an upper-division university course in Nutrition Science. In 'Primal Endurance', the authors and publishers deliver a beautifully formatted, accessibly written tome that is, above all, intellectually engaging. A person already familiar with the Primal Blueprint will not have his or her mind blown by the Eating Strategy chapter, but it's absorbing just the same -- the arguments are more polished, the points more persuasive, the pictures more embarrassing (Mark opens up the time capsule). Likewise, even a person who has never thought about running a marathon will be stimulated intellectually by how the arguments are presented. It's a textbook, but it's far from bland. The sidebars, graphics and pull-quotes combine with the photographs to create a visually appealing journey, and the joint authors display a savvy understanding of rhetorical principles, balancing ethos, pathos and logos as needed to snap skeptical readers out of their Conventional Wisdom-induced brain fog.

    Yet this is not a purely academic text. There are several references and suggested further reading for those interested in more hard science, but I believe that this book sets out to convert hardcore endurance athletes who believe in the nutritional Conventional Wisdom; this conversion can be life-changing in perhaps the most basic sense of being life-prolonging (obviously with plenty of perks). The nice thing about a well-researched, well-designed, well-written book like this is that it is eminently inviting to any potential reader who is simply interested in improving as a human being.
    Helpful? 0 0
    Martin
    January 8, 2016
    5.0 out of 5 stars Pragmatic Approach to Optimizing Safety and Fitness Benefits of Endurance Training
    As with pretty much everything Mark Sisson puts out there, this book can be described as balanced. The pragmatic nature of this book is its main stren...More
    As with pretty much everything Mark Sisson puts out there, this book can be described as balanced. The pragmatic nature of this book is its main strength. Whether you want to run miles every day or just sprint once a week, this book provides a blueprint on how to stay healthy.

    As a physician and wellness researcher, I read as many nutrition and exercise books I can get my hands on. Some books are fluff, rehashing what has been stated so many ways (often better) in other sources. Primal Endurance brings in rigorous research, much of it not described or compiled in other books.

    I should admit I am not a “runner.” I primarily use resistance training and sprinting as my means of exercise (along with moving as much as possible). Essentially I follow the Primal Blueprint Fitness Pyramid. From an evolutionary and general health perspective, the pyramid just makes too much sense to not follow. It feels natural because it is.

    I believe Primal Endurance was written both for people like me who love to learn as much about fitness and nutrition as possible, and for people whose physiology and genetics have led them to endurance sports.

    The book is laid out nicely with the following chapters:

    -115 things you need to know
    -Intro
    1. Slow down
    2. Balance out, chill out
    3. The Primal Blueprint eating strategy
    4. Ketogenic endurance training
    5. Strength training
    6. Sprinting
    7. Primal Endurance success stories
    8. Complementary movement and lifestyle practices
    9. Tips to optimize recovery
    10. Hitting the showers
    -Appendix: periodization schedule
    -Online resources and suggested reading

    As I read the each chapter (and especially with the 115 things to know) I’d think “Man I would love to just have this chapter alone or as a pdf file to keep with me.” Of course as the chapters accumulated I realized I would need the whole book.

    The sprinting chapter is the best concise compilation of information on sprinting that I know of. The strength training chapter offered pearls from Kelly Starrett on mobility and injury prevention, along with descriptions of Maximum Sustained Power training of Jacques Devore. The complementary movement and recovery chapters provide nice reviews of those concepts.

    Primal Endurance taps into experts on all aspects of health for athletes. From Maffetone’s aerobic training to Devore and Starrett in resistance training; from Phinney and Volek low carb performance to William Davis wheat bashing; Noakes and Attia on nutrition and exercise; Katy Bowman on natural movement. A brief list of further reading is supplied at the end of the book, but the titles by some of these experts are not included. I am waiting for the links to articles and research to be posted on the primal blueprint page as stated in the end of the book.

    Primal Endurance throws in superficial concepts as teasers guiding you to read other books, mixed with other more detailed sections such as heart rate variability and aerobic conditioning.

    The writing style is conversational and crisp. You can almost see Mark Sisson pacing around the room excited to share all of this information with us. The chapter summaries are also very helpful.

    Overall I was very pleased with Primal Endurance and it almost made me want to run an ultramarathon! The fresh presentation of such a balanced, evidence-based philosophy of exercise and living well is inspiring and we can only hope for a huge amount of people to read the book and benefit from this wisdom.
    Helpful? 0 0
    NJDad
    January 7, 2016
    5.0 out of 5 stars Finally a recipe for primal cardio success
    Really fantastic overview of how to be a fat-adapted distance runner. I've been following Mark's dietary advice for years now, but always felt guilty ...More
    Really fantastic overview of how to be a fat-adapted distance runner. I've been following Mark's dietary advice for years now, but always felt guilty about sneaking out for weekend runs and entering the occasional 10K or Half Marathon. Glad that now I have a great plan to follow that will ensure I continue running well for many years to come! I have dog-earned and underlined about half of the pages in the book and will be coming back to it regularly.
    Helpful? 0 0
    Matthew Daniel
    January 6, 2016
    5.0 out of 5 stars Performance without compromising health!
    “Your ultimate goal really should be to achieve your performance standards in a manner that supports your health instead of compromises it….” – Primal...More
    “Your ultimate goal really should be to achieve your performance standards in a manner that supports your health instead of compromises it….” – Primal Endurance

    That line from the book perfectly summarizes the well achieved goal of Primal Endurance. So often people destroy their bodies in what they believe to be the path to health and fitness. Mark Sisson and Brad Kearns have given an extremely detailed and honest account about how to achieve fitness while not breaking down health.

    The authors have created a complete resource from beginning to end. Primal Endurance walks you through preparation, diet, workout specifics, and in my opinion what many amateur athletes fail at completely, resting and recovery from the stresses one puts on their body and mind.
    The sections on diet are a major departure from conventional wisdom of carb loading and pasta pounding. If you aren’t familiar with Mark Sisson’s take on the concepts of ancestral health and diet as outlined in the Primal Blueprint, it is very similar to the paleo way of eating (natural foods, increased veggies and fruits, avoiding heavily processed foods and grains, and increased intake of healthy fats). Training with these dietary guidelines allows an endurance athlete to burn fat for fuel, and improve body composition.

    I would recommend this book to anyone interested in endurance training. If you are just starting out, and want to find a healthy way to approach it, or if you are an experienced endurance athlete (who likely from time to time wonders why they may be hurting more often, or wondering why with the miles they put in, aren’t seeing better results) then this will have more than just a few suggestions to not only improve your abilities and have more fun, but also cultivate good health and well-being.
    Helpful? 0 0
    Paul C
    January 5, 2016
    5.0 out of 5 stars Train with Primal Endurance and stay on the path to fitness where performance and health overlap.
    A great book to read and a great time to read it. I have been waiting a long time for the launch of this book, and it delivered. I'm hoping to use t...More
    A great book to read and a great time to read it. I have been waiting a long time for the launch of this book, and it delivered. I'm hoping to use this book to break the cycle of training to the point of injury. Hoping to break the paradigm listed in the book of the 80% of runners who are injured each year, and become one of the 20% If everyone reads this book, those statistics will surely improve.
    This book is well laid out, easy to follow and backed by some of the giants in the field of endurance, including Dr. Phil Maffetone and Dr. Timothy Noakes who have been involved in the endurance field for decades. Mark and Brad have tremendous credibility on their own having "been there and done that" and having tremendous success along the way.
    The book provides clear and actionable steps to help you get the most out of training for your endurance sport, whatever it may be. This book approaches training for performance while maintaining health. It is a holistic approach which aligns perfectly with the primal movement. Too often runners try to force themselves to fit into a 16 week schedule or cookie cutter plan found all over the internet. This book uses heart rate training and other objective measures of your current fitness to meet you where you are currently at, and help you build on this fitness in a healthy, sustainable way. Looking forward to training my Primal Endurance in 2016.
    Helpful? 0 0
    Lori Zanteson
    January 5, 2016
    5.0 out of 5 stars Sport is Accessible for All
    As a long-time runner, crossfitter, food writer, and Mark’s Daily Apple reader, I wasn’t sure what more Primal Endurance could teach me. A lot, it tur...More
    As a long-time runner, crossfitter, food writer, and Mark’s Daily Apple reader, I wasn’t sure what more Primal Endurance could teach me. A lot, it turns out. The basic tenets prescribed by Mark Sisson—primal nutrition, sprinting, weight training, sleep, recovery—are not new to those who have followed him over the years. Yet, Primal Endurance delves more deeply into each of them in a way that speaks specifically to endurance sport devotees, whether newbie, amateur, or professional.

    The book is written in easy to find, well-organized chapters, which is nice to quickly flip to the material you want to study more closely. For me, it’s the very first chapter, titled “Slow Down!” Chronic cardio is a hard habit to break and though I’ve been trying to convince myself of this over the years, but the “more, longer, harder” mentality camps out in the back of my mind. Primal Endurance explains this thoroughly, in a very approachable and user-friendly way, yet it wasn’t until reading the piece on uber-triathlete Mike Pigg’s experience, that I really got it. His story showed that by training within a limited heart rate, which was much slower than his usual pace, he was able to improve his speed and aerobic endurance.

    I have never paid attention to heart rate any more than I’ve counted calories. But now, I’m absolutely trying this.

    This is just one example of how real, how user-friendly this book is. People like me who have busy lives, who have been injured from over-training, and who want to enjoy training rather than dread it: Primal Endurance sets the path. Enough of the “no pain, no gain” mentality! Less is more if you do it right by listening to your body and treating it right. Following conventional wisdom makes us slaves to some hardcore regiment that sets us all up for failure.

    What I love about this book’s message is that sport shouldn’t have to be a luxury for the privileged who have countless hours to slog miles just because a schedule mandates. Primal Endurance opens the arena to any one of us with the desire, motivation, and focus to reach our goals.

    Accessible, just like this book, which is camped on my nightstand.
    Helpful? 0 0
    Hail
    January 4, 2016
    5.0 out of 5 stars A must read for endurance athletes serious about preserving health while racing fast!
    This is hands down the best book I have ever read on the subject of endurance training. I wish this book had been available a few years ago! I was a c...More
    This is hands down the best book I have ever read on the subject of endurance training. I wish this book had been available a few years ago! I was a competitive Nordic ski racer throughout high school and college, and trained in the traditional chronic cardio fashion. My training approach consisted of WAY too many moderate-to-difficult intensity workouts with insufficient rest and recovery, what Mark calls the "black hole". Despite "eating well" and following the team training plan, I was constantly tired, sick, and on the edge of burnout. The only workouts I consistently enjoyed were short sessions of all out sprints, and slow recovery skis where I focused on keeping my heart rate low and breathing steady (instead of "keeping up with the team"). Finally, I decided to listen to my body and train at a slower speed, and for fewer weekly hours. It seemed counterintuitive, but the more time I spent training at aerobic heartrates instead of in the "black hole," the better I felt, the healthier I became, and the faster I raced! After reading Primal Endurance, it turns out that I should have been training mostly at low, aerobic heartrates with occasional sprint workouts all along! This book is a life changer folks.

    Primal Endurance is extremely readable and well written, and covers all aspects of a balanced approach to primal training, nutrition, and complementary lifestyle practices like sleep, mobility, daily movement, and recovery. I also appreciated the comprehensive sample annual periodization schedules (using a triathlete and a runner as an example) in the back of the book!

    My biggest takeaways from Primal Endurance were:
    - Slow down! Living in the black hole of chronic cardio makes you sick, exhausted, and burned out.
    - Periodize your workouts and train intuitively.
    - Eat Primally! Maximize your nutrients, become a "fat burning beast," and keep your carbohydrate consumption low.
    - Incorporate strength and sprint training to help preserve good technique and maximize power output during endurance workouts.
    - Complementary movement and lifestyle practices like good sleep discipline and mobility work can help achieve peak performance while preserving health.
    - Methods such as cold water immersion, compression garments, self-myofascial release, and Heart Rate Variability (HRV) are great tools to
    optimize recovery.

    If you are an endurance athlete who wants to learn how to improve your return on your training investment while avoiding overtraining, burnout, illness, and injury, this is the book for you. Thanks Mark!
    Helpful? 0 0
    D. L.
    January 4, 2016
    5.0 out of 5 stars Primal endurance training from a mind/body/spirit perspective
    Let me state upfront that I received a copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review and that I have been a follower of Mark's Daily Apple for ...More
    Let me state upfront that I received a copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review and that I have been a follower of Mark's Daily Apple for about a year, have been following a paleo/primal diet for 2.5 years and am 47 years old. As an fyi my background is as both a bedside CVICU and Gastroenterology R.N. for 18 years and I started last year to train for the 4 Deserts ultra endurance races.
    Primal Endurance covers so many key topics for the endurance athlete to include cross-training, how not to be saddled with frequent injuries, how to optimize recovery and the "shocking" concept of how to balance your training with your life. My favorite sections of the book cover the importance of cardiovascular health (and how to avoid damaging your cardiovascular system with your training) along with the topics of both diet and recovery/listening to your body. This book delves deep into the concept of how to safely build your aerobic base and the potential cardiovascular repercussions that can happen with incorrect training. Ditching the SAD (standard American diet) is key to your health whether or not you're an endurance athlete. It's been heard before but in my opinion it is so true that you cannot out-train a bad diet and fueling yourself with sugars and grains will not lead to sustained success and health. The concepts and importance of recovery and the importance of listening to your body (recurring fatigue, boredom, pain, etc) before, during and after training are topics that are not emphasized as much as they should be and Primal Endurance explains why intuitive training and recovery are so important for your physical and mental health.
    One topic that I wish was included in the book is in regards to supplements and alternative therapies specific to endurance athletes. The book does touch on some options for recovery, such as a cooling sleeve, but I would like to read about options that are readily available to many of us (besides yoga) such as cold water immersion, supplements/foods that improve endurance capabilities, meditation, etc.
    Primal Endurance is a book that I wholeheartedly recommend if you are an athlete (not just an endurance athlete) who wants to train in the safest and most effective manner. It's awesome to have one book that can be used as a reference for some many important topics for us folks that like to go long whether it's running, swimming, cycling or cross-country skiing. I plan on being a healthy endurance racer into my "old age" and this book will accompany me on my journey.
    Helpful? 0 0
    Heather Mattice
    January 2, 2016
    5.0 out of 5 stars No more chronic cardio!
    Wow! Primal Endurance came at a great time! I was already a fan of Mark Sisson’s work, but this just merged everything as I was looking to adapt my c...More
    Wow! Primal Endurance came at a great time! I was already a fan of Mark Sisson’s work, but this just merged everything as I was looking to adapt my current training program. I recently merged my Paleo lifestyle with a low carb framework. Primal Endurance was the piece of the puzzle that was missing. As a marathoner and triathlete I had heard the words periodization, aerobic base training, fat adapted, but never really thought about what it meant or what to even do for that matter! I thought that as a runner I was supposed to eat as many carbs as I could. Carb loading the night before a race with pastas and breads but never feeling good after. Then, like my fellow runners, I was always looking for the quick fix (GU's or any sugars) to get me through to the finish line. Becoming fat adapted and staying lean allows for the body to go longer without the bonk that so many fear. This is one thing I have noticed recently and Primal Endurance has backed that up!

    For years I was in a perpetual training mode, that is until I was diagnosed with a stress fracture to the femoral neck in my right hip over a year ago after my half Ironman. It wasn’t unusual for me to be in a race as late as November and then again as early as March, so training and training hard was consistent. What was rest when there was another race to get ready for! I never thought of being in the “off season” or establishing an aerobic base. I always thought of my aerobic training as my regular runs until the miles creeped up with my race date. Trying to get faster by running faster and often. That was what I thought I had to do, what I was told to do. I was wrong and am completely happy with it since Primal Endurance came to my door.

    Mark and Brad’s experience has saved me from making more of the “bad” choices by learning from their experiences. Their knowledge is backed up by studies by highly regarded doctors like DR O’ Keefe and DR Maffetone.

    Before my fracture I was injured every year with some “minor” ailment (foot, groin, shin) that would put training off for a month at minimum. I still tried to compete no matter what, pushing myself. I would be worse afterwards and left me with nothing but misery and wondering when I could begin training again. After reading Primal Endurance, I now know that I need to build an aerobic base (working below my maximum heart rate for a period of time) and lifting heavy weights at low reps while performing only minimal sprint workouts. Knowing that I can train less, become faster and stronger while spending less time in the gym and slowing the aging process, not speeding it up, it’s priceless! In 2016, I know with Mark’s knowledge I can become the athlete I wanted to be years ago.

    This book is for every athlete and non-athlete alike that wants to look better as they age, without injury and be able to compete in that long Ironman or the 5k weekend race and do it for longer than any of their peers.
    Helpful? 0 0
    Customer SK
    January 1, 2016
    5.0 out of 5 stars Improve your endurance in the safest way!
    I just finished reading this book, and I have to say it is one of the most interesting books on endurance I've ever read. I have been in the Chronic C...More
    I just finished reading this book, and I have to say it is one of the most interesting books on endurance I've ever read. I have been in the Chronic Cardio state for a long time. I'd run more than I could handle, get injured, rest for too short a time, start running again as soon as I felt a little bit better, and then injure myself again. It was a bit of a vicious cycle, especially since I'd run mostly to just keep my weight balanced and as soon as I stopped it would increase again. This book has completely changed my outlook on training. Overtraining is not necessary to stay "fit" and it is clear to me now why I would still not lose weight even while running so many miles, it was because I was eating too many carbs! I was exactly what he described as a carb-dependent runner, and I hope with the eating changes I've made I will become fat-adapted and will be able to train without getting injured while still improving.

    My favorite thing about the book was how easy it was to read. The scientific basis is explained, the results of the experiments are explained, and even without a scientifically heavy background, I was able to follow the logic, though I do want to revisit a few more parts so that if anyone asks I'll be able to explain it. I also loved Chapter 7: Primal Endurance Success Stories. All my doubts about this program, not that there were many, were blown away by the testimonials of athletes who changed the way they trained and the way they ate, to improve so much in all areas of their fitness.

    I also found that Mark and Brad's ideas make sense. You want to be fat-adapted, and he shows you how to do that. It makes sense to improve the aspects of your fitness that will help with your endurance goals, and he tells you the most important weight-lifting exercises to do. I could go on and on, but it's better if it comes from them.

    In the next few weeks, my plan is to buy a heart rate monitor and start training at 180-age, and be more strict with my eating. I can't wait to see the effects of this book, and I'm so grateful to Mark and Brad for writing it. If you are a distance athlete who hasn't been seeing results, or has been stuck in an injury loop, or you just want to start training in a safe manner, read this book!

    I received this book for free from MarksDailyApple in exchange for an honest review.
    Helpful? 0 0
    Konaleen
    December 31, 2015
    5.0 out of 5 stars This isn't just another Endurance Traing Book it's different trust me, definitely worth the read or I recommend a listen!
    Best Endurance book I have read! and I have and read them all! I was waiting patiently for these guys, Brad and Mark to knock this out and it is or...More
    Best Endurance book I have read! and I have and read them all! I was waiting patiently for these guys, Brad and Mark to knock this out and it is or was totally worth it. They really wanted to make sure they had it all spelled out correctly with the help of notable exercise scientists, coaches, physicians and athletes. Look at who stands behind and supports this philosophy of Endurance Training. To name a few: You have the infamous Dr Tim Noakes who is known for the "Lore of Running" , a great book in it's time and still is in ways but now he even refutes the conventional wisdom of what he so solidly studied and researched and preached about Endurance Training and Exercise Physiology. You have Dr Phil Maffetone, another Mentor of mine, whom Brad introduced me to, who actually all along has been practicing this theory of how to train and eat to build endurance, fitness, how to get and stay healthy in the process. Then you have the experience and knowledge of notable athletes such as Brad and Mark themselves and other elite athletes. I was first introduced to this philosophy when I hired Brad to be my coach for Kona in 2009, even though I was a coach myself. I had read Brad's book Breakthru Triathlon Training which was my favorite of all triathlon training books and liked his approach. (At the same time he introduced me to the Primal Blueprint, just released. Of course I didn't eat meat for 35 years and me being a masters prepared exercise physiologist I preached conventional wisdom to people to stay away from saturated fats, eat whole grains etc. But I gave the book a read and you know it clicked, Conventional Wisdom wasn't working it all made sense and now I have a freezer full of meat and I speak against conventional wisdom). Brad changed how I approached endurance training and I had the most magical year and day at Kona. Since reducing chronic cardio, although we still love to go out and do those ultra long runs, both my husband I have been able to stay away from those nagging chronic injuries that drive you to go see your PT who eventually become your best friend after so many visits. We have changed how we fuel our bodies so we have more energy all day during exercise and recover quicker. This has made a huge difference on our over all health. I now coach and train all my clients with this Endurance training philosophy. Amazing how many just can't believe that they can get faster by going slower and how this also plays a role in how they can prevent injury and illness . Conventional wisdom is hard to crack for most. I do see though more and more coaches and athletes coming around and promoting more of a balance of stress and rest and not so much about volume and intensity all the time. People are becoming more aware of how to fuel without so much carbs. It is good to see. This book will be an excellent guide for many coaches and athletes and or even those just wanting to be fit and healthy. It's written so you can understand easily enough that you will have an "ah ha" moment. I have read almost every article Brad and Mark wrote with regards to endurance training. So to see it turned out in a book and with more in depth knowledge is awesome. I actually got the book but I wanted to read thru it quicker that I also got an audio version and you know, I enjoy it more with listening to Brad, himself, narrate the book. He has so much energy, passion and enthusiasm that it is like he is personally speaking to you. He even throws in extra bonus lines. Like I say, I have books of endurance and training stacked from the floor to the ceiling but this one is going to be my favorite and will be long lived as a favorite for many for a very long time. This book will change how you approach exercise, training and fitness for good. Give this a try and you might be able to achieve those fitness and health goals you always dreamed of and be healthier for it (leaner too!). It just plain makes sense.
    Helpful? 0 0
    DarkSideRunner
    December 30, 2015
    5.0 out of 5 stars I was burned out on running until I started applying these principles.
    The concepts in this book have really changed my life in less than one month.I have been an avid follower of Mark Sisson for the past few years - foun...More
    The concepts in this book have really changed my life in less than one month.

    I have been an avid follower of Mark Sisson for the past few years - found him when I was looking for answers about how someone like me could run as much as I did and not lose weight. Sisson's "Primal Blueprint" helped me identify that I needed to overhaul my diet and STOP running as much as I did to get to a healthy place.

    But I couldn't quite make the Blueprint principles stick. Chronic cardio was killing me. Running went from something that was fun to something that was a necessary chore to keep my weight in check. I had miserable cravings and struggled with an eating disorder.

    I made a deal with myself that as soon as I achieved my half marathon goal time, I'd stop running. Except every half marathon I ran, I seemed to get worse and worse. It didn't look like there'd be an end to the cycle for me.

    And then I was tipped off that there was another way - that I could still continue to run half marathons... and run them FASTER... just by slowing down my training! I began implementing all of the concepts in this book, from using the Maffetone Method and eating primal whole foods, in early December. I quit sugar for the first time in my life.

    Three things happened almost immediately:

    1. I actually looked forward to my workouts - they were no longer a thing of dread.
    2. My overall mood and outlook in life improved.
    3. My cravings were gone. My eating disorder almost felt "cured."

    So will I be achieving my half marathon goal? I don't know yet, but something is working. My next half marathon is April, 2016 - keep up with my progress at www.runtothedarkside.com to see if the Primal Endurance principles really work.
    Helpful? 0 0
    sa_in_sd
    December 29, 2015
    5.0 out of 5 stars Run Easier & Eat Better To Improve Your Performance!
    I've been following Mark's Daily Apple for a few years now and was lucky enough to receive an advance copy of this book in order to review it. I was s...More
    I've been following Mark's Daily Apple for a few years now and was lucky enough to receive an advance copy of this book in order to review it. I was so excited to get this in the mail, and pretty much read the entire thing cover-to-cover within 3 days.

    I absolutely loved the premise of this book - run easier and eat better to improve your endurance performance. This is a far less demanding training "program" than many of the other books out there, and I'm super excited to put all of the tips I've learned from this book into practice. I found it incredibly helpful to see the details of the primal diet reviewed in this book, so even if you aren't a Mark's Daily Apple follower (and if not, I suggest you become one), there are plenty of actionable tips to improve your diet and lifestyle within this book.

    A little background info on me - I've run 2 marathons and many shorter-distance races since 2010. Even when my training volume has been high, I've seen very little improvements over the years in my pace (around 12:00/mile). The negative side effects of high volume included shin splints and other injuries. This book made me realize (and the data from my heart rate monitor can attest) that I've been running WAY too hard to see any kind of improvement. My aerobic base is basically non-existent! Since reading this, I've been on a few runs as suggested in the book, and I have had to revert to run/walk in order to keep my heart rate in the proper zone. I also felt like I could keep on going forever, and so far I haven't had any hint of shin splints, IT Band soreness, or other aches and pains that usually make me take more days off. Overall, this feels like a much healthier approach to running, and I'm excited to see how my times improve over the course of the next few months.

    As a more technical note, I was pleased to see the high quality with which this book was printed - it reminded me of a college textbook, with glossy full-color pages.
    Helpful? 0 0
    Catherine Shanahan, MD
    December 27, 2015
    5.0 out of 5 stars Double the calories of fat you burn at rest and with exercise in 4 weeks. I know because I tested.
    I must admit that I knew I would like this book before reading it, because I’m a huge fan of Mark and Brad, but now that I got it, I couldn’t put it d...More
    I must admit that I knew I would like this book before reading it, because I’m a huge fan of Mark and Brad, but now that I got it, I couldn’t put it down until I finished reading it cover to cover. I love that the title, primal ENDURANCE, speaks to all athletes, because endurance is a good thing no matter your sport. Your amazing human machinery is designed to outlast the energizer bunny -- as long as we are powered by the right fuel.

    Key concepts this book explores include:

    • Exercise should be fun
    • Exercise should be varied in intensity as well as activity
    • Too much of the kind of cardio we typically do in gyms can damage the heart. While cardio on equipment or in classes is not bad as part of a balanced regimen, just be sure to mix it up. (In my experience, few people actually do because its just so easy to get stuck in a routine)
    • Your diet’s macronutrient breakdown influences whether you burn fat or sugar during exercise
    • Sugar is not the perfect fuel for athletes, in spite of what most sports nutritionists will tell you
    • When your diet supports fat burn, you can listen to your body and TRUST what its telling you (with regard to hunger, fatigue and so on)

    Far and away, the most important concept and one that the book keeps returning to is the metabolic state of burning fat is essential to normal health. And contrary to what many athletes assume, its not just exercise that promotes fat burn, it’s also diet. So that no matter how much you exercise, if your diet does not contain the right nutrients, you will not burn fat optimally.

    Programatic elements of the book will help you to:

    • Enjoy a balanced variety of activities
    • Determine if you are overtraining
    • Get more results from your workouts with less time
    • Adapt a diet that helps to optimize fat burn even without exercise

    I run a weight loss clinic and don’t always have time to go over a full exercise program with my patients so I have been waiting eagerly for a book that I can recommend it to my weight loss patients as well as the athletes I work with. This book is exactly what the doctor ordered.

    An engaging and easy to read book no matter how you slice it Primal Endurance offers much needed information that brings the best nutrition advise from the medical world into the world of fitness, while providing a balanced approach to exercise.

    As far as results you can expect in terms of improving your fat burn, I would expect that you could double your fat-burning capacity in 4 weeks, and go even further into fat burning beat territory the longer you follow this program. I use a similar dietary approach and test people’s fat burn before and after dietary intervention, and this is what I've found so far. For example, if someone starts the program burning 2 calories of fat per minute at rest and a maximum of 3 with exercise, they'll get to 4 and 6 respectively in a month easily. And that's without adding any exercise!
    Helpful? 0 0
    Lara and Joel
    December 20, 2015
    5.0 out of 5 stars A must read for anyone who want to train in healthy and responsible way. This is a game changer for athelete's of any level.
    My wife and I have been following the primal/paleo lifestyle for about four years now and we can truly say ..... it just works. We love it and will ne...More
    My wife and I have been following the primal/paleo lifestyle for about four years now and we can truly say ..... it just works. We love it and will never go back to conventional eating and living. The one area of my life that I have struggled to balance though has been my love of endurance mountain biking. From 4 man 24 hour events or longer 50 to 100 mile races, I just can't quit. It seems that this love affair has derailed my best efforts to achieve good health and live primally( is that a word?).
    I have followed a more conventional approach to training with set days of tempo and distance rides, blah blah blah blah. Insert any training program you have read in a magazine, on-line, or from your super fit friend. Training this way, I often found myself enjoying a roller coaster of good health, "great blocks of training" followed by a total train wreck of lethargy, poor health and poor eating. My wife can attest to mood swings after a few "solid weeks" of training. Borderline depression would often follow these so called great blocks.
    In Mark and Brad's cut to the chase style they clearly highlighted what was wrong with my approach. Primal Endurance laid out in no uncertain terms what I needed to change and more importantly why and how to do it. As an example they write at great lengths about Phil Maffatone and the 180 - (your age) heart rate principal. After reading this I thought an experiment was in order, so I set out on one of my normal off-road training rides. This would be a ride I cover twice a week and is about an hour long. Low and behold many of the climbs had me 25-30 beats above my target training heart rate. No wonder I would crash and burn after 4-6 weeks. I really look forward to applying these new guiding principals to my training and look forward to the same outstanding results we have enjoyed in other areas of our life.
    This book is a must read for anyone who wants to train in a healthy and responsible way. I believe it is a game changer for individuals of any fitness level. Do yourself a favor and order Primal Endurance today.
    Helpful? 0 0
    Kindle Customer
    December 19, 2015
    5.0 out of 5 stars Make more out of your time training.
    *This will be updated after I have completed a full training cycle* (So far consider it 4.5 stars.)Primal endurance is a fantastic guide to endurance ...More
    *This will be updated after I have completed a full training cycle* (So far consider it 4.5 stars.)
    Primal endurance is a fantastic guide to endurance training. It essentially takes what is already taught in Mark Sisson's other books and applies it directly for the use of athletes.

    Mark's prior books haven't really covered a heavy training schedule. Conventional endurance training follows a very chronic approach which could ultimately harm your longevity if not practiced carefully." Primal Endurance" takes the "Primal Blueprint" principles and presents them for someone who is interested in athletic performance.

    My review has removed a start due to this. The only problem I can see with this book so far is that it tends to repeat a lot of information that is freely available on Mark's website or is stated in his other publications. Due to this, if this is not your first "Primal Blueprint" purchase you will be repeating a lot of information in the earlier chapters.

    This being said, if this is your first time encountering the "Primal Blueprint" this is a fanastic ( 5 star) purchase ( especially if your goal is athletic performance). The highlights of this book for me are the recovery section and the appendix( more on this in a bit). This book puts a clear emphasis on athletic recovery and the information provided is inspiring. Just reading this makes me feel as though my weekly training logs will be less of a chore. The thing this book makes me optim

    The appendix provides sample training weeks for a variety of situations. This provides what I hope will be a clear format on how I should focus my training for my goals while avoiding burnout. It details sample weeks/months for training situations such as a triathlete or just a runner. What is more appealing with this is that it doesn't seem overwhelming. The average week for a runner looks to be about 5-6 hours. This more than half of what I've trained in the past.

    If this book can improve my runs and leave more time for family and friends then I am more than sold. Unfortunantly, I can not provide this information in this review until I have trained for a full period following this books guidance. I will update it when I have completed a full cycle.
    Helpful? 0 0
    JH58
    December 12, 2015
    5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely a Must-Read for the Primal / Paleo Athlete
    If you don't want to read my entire review, just know this: This book helped me feel better about my fitness, my performance and my body image.When I...More
    If you don't want to read my entire review, just know this: This book helped me feel better about my fitness, my performance and my body image.

    When I first heard about this book, I could not wait for it to be released. I enjoy endurance running for the time and solitude it gives me to think. The only drawback to that is that I did not know fully how to be Primal yet still enjoy a guilty indulgence of a 10-mile run with the case Mark builds against chronic cardio.

    Because of this book, not only do I know how to prepare for the runs so that I enjoy the act, but I also don't feel guilty about what I eat in order to have the energy to do so. It's also given me a new mindset to accept the limits I have in my endurance training and not set unrealistic, unhealthy goals.

    This book is a must-read for anyone, regardless of how long you have been on the Primal or quite similar Paleo path. This book will teach you how to enjoy being an endurance athlete and get the most out of your workouts, preparations and recovery. There will be many in the endurance athlete world who wished this book was around when they started their training regime.
    Helpful? 0 0
Add a review