10 books about running

Recounts the author's experiences with the reclusive Tarahumara Indians, whose techniques allow them to run long distances with ease, and describes his training for a fifty-mile race with the tribe and a number of ultramarathoners.

Peter Sagal, the host of NPR’s Wait Wait...Don’t Tell Me! and a popular columnist for Runner’s World, shares “commentary and reflection about running with a deeply felt personal story, this book is winning, smart, honest, and affecting. Whether you are a runner or not, it will move you” (Susan Orlean). On the verge of turning forty, Peter Sagal—brainiac Harvard grad, short bald Jew with a disposition towards heft, and a sedentary star of public radio—started running seriously. And much to his own surprise, he kept going, faster and further, running fourteen marathons and logging tens of thousands of miles on roads, sidewalks, paths, and trails all over the United States and the world, including the 2013 Boston Marathon, where he crossed the finish line moments before the bombings. In The Incomplete Book of Running, Sagal reflects on the trails, tracks, and routes he’s traveled, from the humorous absurdity of running charity races in his underwear—in St. Louis, in February—or attempting to “quiet his colon” on runs around his neighborhood—to the experience of running as a guide to visually impaired runners, and the triumphant post-bombing running of the Boston Marathon in 2014. With humor and humanity, Sagal also writes about the emotional experience of running, body image, the similarities between endurance sports and sadomasochism, the legacy of running as passed down from parent to child, and the odd but extraordinary bonds created between strangers and friends. The result is “a brilliant book about running…What Peter runs toward is strength, understanding, endurance, acceptance, faith, hope, and charity” (P.J. O’Rourke).

In a best-selling memoir, the award-winning Japanese writer recalls his preparation for the 2005 New York City marathon, interweaving his reflections on the meaning of running in his life, his thoughts on the writing process and career, and his greatest triumphs and disappointments. Reprint.

By applying core basics from running, such as pace, recovery, fit, and form into a work environment, research suggests people can exist more comfortably and gain more energy. This made me wonder, could I improve my own 'type A' personality life by applying these concepts? Perhaps I could also improve my running experience by applying life stuff? Wait... Could all of this make me run faster? This book is about my personal evolution, in both running and not running. I include some research, talk from other runners, and some thoughts from my 'inner asshole'. My siblings will say I talk too much about my personal life. I'm okay with that. Just wait until they read what I wrote about them! Who is this book for? This book is for runners, people thinking about taking up running, people confined by horrible little cubicles and long work hours and people interested in applying endurance sports principles to work and life.

Running is a head game, with two options: let your mind wander, or focus. To compete, you must focus. Goucher shares her secrets to improving running performance. She includes tips, techniques, and real-life experiences as well as offering perspectives from experts in the field of sports psychology. Guided activities are provided so you can develop your own training program. -- adapted from back cover

"Now completely updated and revised--a new edition of the long-running marathon training guide that has helped more than half a million people reach their goals, including a new chapter on ultramarathons, along with material on recovery techniques, several new training programs, and advice on how to win a Boston qualifying race and improve your personal record"--

"Four-time Olympic marathoner Meb Keflezighi shares his lessons on life, family, faith, and running through a reflection on each of the 26 marathons he's run in his storied career. When four-time Olympian Meb Keflezighi ran his final marathon in New York City on November 5, 2017, it marked the end of an extraordinary distance-running career. Meb will be remembered as the only person in history to win both the Boston and New York City marathons as well as an Olympic marathon silver medal. Meb's last marathon was also his 26th, and each of those 26 marathons has come with its own unique challenges, rewards, and outcomes for him. Through focused narrative, Meb describes key moments and triumphs that made each marathon a unique learning experience and shows runners--whether recreational or professional--how to apply the lessons he's learned to their own running and lives. Chronologically organized by marathon, 26 Marathons offers wisdom Meb has gleaned about life, family, identity, and faith in addition to tips about running, training, and nutrition. Equal parts inspiration and practical advice, this book will provide readers an inside look at the life and success of one of the greatest runners living today"--