Two Hours
By Ed Caesar
The Quest to Run the Impossible Marathon. Simon and Schuster, 2015.
Summary of Two Hours book by Ed Caesar
The controversial history, science, and stories behind elite runners and their quest to complete a marathon in under two hours, with simple but valuable advice for more effective training.
Chapters in Two Hours book summary
What do you get from this book? Tips for running a two-hour marathon and why they’re so controversial
Two-hour marathons are a controversial topic, but professional runners have always sparked debate further by pushing their physical limits
Endurance contests matter because they give people an equal chance to accomplish amazing feats and transcend human limitations
Beating a marathon record means having the right mindset and taking small, achievable steps
Training programs vary but often include utilizing your lactate threshold, speedwork, and resistance training
Kenyans are born into an environment ideally suited to runners—training partners only enhance the skills developed in childhood
Huge cash prizes are paid to elite runners, who use the money to help those dependent on them
Finding the best sneakers with the right heel-to-toe drop is crucial to improving your run time
EPO and other steroids may give runners an edge, but they have also tainted the prestige associated with Kenyan athletes
A “Moonshot Marathon” might help runners finish in just two hours, but even without one records continue to be broken
Summary of the key insights
Selected critiques in brief
Final word
Unlock all 13 chapters of Two Hours — Get full access to this book summary and thousands more on Lobab.
Two Hours — Book Summary Snapshot
Who should read Two Hours book
- Marathon runners
- fitness trainers
- health-conscious individuals
- exercise enthusiasts
- anyone interested in short or long-distance running
About the author of Two Hours
Ed Caesar
Journalist Ed Caesar worked as a staff writer for The New Yorker. His articles have appeared in various other publications such as Smithsonian magazine and London’s Sunday Times. In 2014, the Foreign Press Association of London named him Journalist of the Year. Caesar is also the recipient of the Cross Sports Book Award.
Books similar to Two Hours
Related books that explore themes found in Two Hours
A.J. Baime
Ford, Ferrari and Their Battle for Speed and Glory at Le Mans. Bantam, 2010.
Topics related to Two Hours book
Explore topics that share themes with Two Hours across Lobab's library
Categories Two Hours book belongs to
Discover other book summaries in the same categories as Two Hours
If you liked Two Hours, you might also enjoy
Books on different topics that Lobab readers often explore alongside Two Hours
Greg Ip
Why Safety Can Be Dangerous and How Danger Makes Us Safe. Little, Brown and Company, 2015.
Wallace J. Nichols
The Surprising Science that Shows How Being Near, In, On, or Under Water Can Make You Happier, Healthier, More Connected, and Better at What You Do. Little, Brown Spark. 2014.
Emily Prokop
The Extraordinary History of Ordinary Objects. Mango Publishing Group, 2018.
David Goggins
Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds. Lioncrest, 2018.
Dacher Keltner
The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life. Penguin Press, 2023.
David Goldblatt
A Global History of the Olympics. W.W. Norton & Company, 2016.
Toby Wilkinson
The Golden Age of Egyptology. W.W. Norton & Company, 2020.
Can't decide where to start?
With thousands of book summaries across multiple categories and topics, there's always something new to discover. Browse the full library to find your next great read.
Your library
All-you-can-read
Categories
15 categories
Topics
120+ topics
Today's free book summary
Every day, one book summary is completely free to read. Subscribe to unlock the entire library — or just enjoy today's pick on us.
Rejection Proof
Jia Jiang
A fascinating look at rejection from every angle, from understanding and overcoming the fear of rejection to learning how to increase your chances of a yes while becoming perfectly okay with a no.
Library
All-you-can-read
Formats
Text & audio
Free daily
1 book / day
What Lobab readers are saying
Not sure if Lobab book summaries are for you? Here's what our community thinks.
“Lobab is a standout in the world of book summary apps, offering concise, insightful summaries of a wide range of books. Its user-friendly interface and well-crafted summaries allow users to quickly grasp the essence of complex works, making it an invaluable tool for those looking to learn more in less time. Whether for personal growth or professional development, Lobab is a game changer for anyone wanting to expand their knowledge efficiently. Highly recommended!”
Ramogh
Lobab Reader
“Top quality app with plenty of brilliant summaries!”
Benjamin Roche
Lobab Reader
“I found a really great book app that has made reading even more enjoyable ⭐️📚. It is super easy to use, has a lot of books to choose from, gives personalized recommendations, works well with e-readers, has an active community, and is accessible to everyone. I highly recommend it to all book enthusiasts!”
Nedal Ahmed
Lobab Reader