Many people who participate in running races would like to run faster.

There are many books available that give detailed advice on how to do so. The problem is that most of these books seem rather complicated.

After reading through them most people will have no more idea of how to put together a training program than they did before they read it. They will probably be even more confused than they were before. Faced with this confusion, most folks return to the comfortable routine of running the same distance at the same speed every time and never get any faster.

It doesn’t have to be this way. It is true that developing an effective training program incorporates running at varying paces and distances weekly. And it is also true that this type of training requires some planning. But the authors of "Run Less, Run Faster" have distilled their training program down to the bare bones. It just doesn’t get any simpler than this program.

The authors are exercise physiologists at Furman University in South Carolina who have been running, racing and training other runners for years. They have honed their training formula through years of experience and physiological testing. Their program is simple and it works. Here are the details:

• Run one VO2 max workout a week.
• Run one threshold workout a week.
• Run one long run at marathon pace a week.
• Cross train on two other days with another aerobic activity.

That’s it. Based on your current running ability they have charts that show the paces and distances that each one of these workouts require.

The book has programs from the 5K through the marathon, with special emphasis on running a qualifying time for Boston. These programs are especially great for the injury-prone runner. Since you only run three days a week there is a much reduced incidence of injury. In addition to their training program, this book includes the basic information on stretching, nutrition, running form and so on that other training books cover.

After having read most of the training books available, I feel confident in saying this book is truly different and will help everyone except the most elite runners. Runners rejoice, your confusion is over. What could be better than faster running and fewer injuries?