Faster Masters

The definitive guide to building strength and achieving competitive success in midlife and beyond, from renowned author and coach Matt Fitzgerald

A revolution is happening in endurance sports—not just running but also cycling, swimming, rowing, and triathlon. Athletes over age 50 are breaking records left and right by performing at levels that were unimaginable 10 years ago. They're improving faster than any other age category, closing the performance gap on the newer generation. Despite this, there is still a lack of resources and support for older athletes, also known as masters. Whether you're looking to run your first race, returning to your sport after illness or injury, or a seasoned pro starting to feel the effects of aging, there’s no end date to achieving your best.

Respected endurance expert Matt Fitzgerald is here to show you how. With Faster Masters, you will learn how to maximize performance at any age, including science-based practices on pacing, recovery, diet, mindset, and more, as well as new methods of strength training that will keep your body and mind young.

Matt shares his own inspiring story of recovering from long Covid, which forced him to quit running for three and a half years and left him bedridden for months. From being unable to walk a mile, he made a miraculous comeback, finishing a 100-kilometer ultramarathon first in his age group. In Faster Masters, Matt draws on his experience as well as those of other record-breaking masters athletes and Olympians to develop real-world best practices for any endurance athlete.

Ditch the outdated, negative mindset toward aging, and embrace the benefits and opportunities unique to growing older as an athlete, whatever your starting point.

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs