Runner's World magazine...worth it? (Read 1089 times)

When my subscription runs out, I won't be renewing it. There really isn't much new information regarding running. The stories about people are interesting, but everything else is recycled on a yearly basis. I'm not faulting Runner's World. I mean, there's only that much you can talk about the science and theories of running. If you never read it, I would suggest that you subscribe to it for a year and then drop it.

I bought the latest issue at an airport a week or so ago. Runners world is fun to read... every now and then, that is. If you're looking for some incredible information on running, I get all of mine right here: http://www.letsrun.com/forum/flat_read.php?thread=308471

I stopped subscribing years ago. Worth the paper it's printed on? Probably. Worth the subscription price? Doubtful. If you want entertainment, read it. If you want solid training advice and articles, you'll probably need to go elsewhere. Running Times is a good mag, but isn't as pretty as runners world.

I dunno, I find it motivating. It's not so much the articles; they do get repetitive, but just reading about running makes me want to get out there, especially after recovering from an injury. I always make alternative plans (bike riding, elliptical trainer, etc...) until my next issue of RW arrives, and then my injury suddenly feels good enough to try an easy 3 miles, and the next thing you know...

Search Ebay for RW-- I got a 2 year subscription to RW and another running magazine for under $20. It's definitely worth it for that price.

It depends. Do you want pure information, solely for the purpose of improving your running, with as much new and up to date information as possible? Or - do you want to enjoy yourself reading a magazine about something that interests you, and pick up some good info along the way? If you answered A - there are other publications you might find more useful, or you could hit the library (it's free!), or get yourself a coach. Or use the internet, of course ... but I'd be careful. Just like I'm not entirely convinced that Elvis is actually living with Big Foot in a small 2-bedroom condo in Orange County (even though I read it on the net!), I'm not sure I buy all the stuff on running I read on the Wacky Wide Web. If you answered B - or partly B - you'll dig Runner's World. Personally, I LOVE it. I'll probably subscribe 'til I'm a 100. It ranks right up there with 'Cigar Aficionado,' in my book. But I admit that the posters above are right: I love Runner's World for the pleasure I get from the mag, not necessarily because it gives me all the best info I couldn't find elsewhere. (Although I'll challenge anybody to find something better than the article a couple issues back on older runners ... or that photo essay on NYC marathon finishers. But again, that's stuff about runners or running ... not really specific stuff to make you faster). Did any of the above make sense?