If you are looking for something to read in your down time between runs, or some motivation to run, here are some books I recommend or are super looking forward to reading.
Running on Air
This book is pretty technical but goes into great detail about running mechanics and how breathing can affect your running form and endurance. I first stumbled into this book after DNFing the Leadville Heavy Half. It must have been speaking to me from the small bookshop on Pearl Street in Boulder, Colorado. With my heart heavy from my first every DNF in a running race, I bought it and clung to every word as I tried to learn something from my failure. A must read for runners!
Advanced Marathoning
This book was great for helping me make the jump from 5ks and an occasional 10k to full marathons. If you don't have many friends who are runners or are looking to get advice from a true professional, this book is worth a read!
50/50
This book was the first time I had ever heard of someone doing something this absolutely absurd! I thought for certain this could not be done! 50 marathons for a career is a lot, but to do it in 50 days and in all 50 states! No way. Needless to say, Dean Karnazes is a best and a legend and this book is a pretty fun read.
Born to Run
This book! This might just be my favorite book of all time. The amazing story Christopher McDougall tells is amazing. The story of the Tarahumara Indians and how Scott Jurek took his talents to them is awe inspiring and makes for what I can only hope will be, one day an epic running movie. This book brought ultra running to the masses as well as barefoot or minimlist running. On top of that, this book is what inspired me to try to visit Leadville, Colorado and attempt even a 10k at 10,200 feet above sea level. Ever since then I fell in love with Colorado and that mountain town. This book is a great read even for non runners!
Eat and Run
Scott Jurek (my personal running idol) has a great book about running and nutrition. As a pharmacist, I know nutrition is key to many things and feel Jurek has a lot of great points that many people can learn from. While I do not follow his fanatical idea of diet, I probably should take some notes. Jurek is after all the GOAT of ultra running.
Running to Leadville
This is the only fiction book on my list. I stumbled upon this book at the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon Expo when Brian (the author) flagged me down while I was wearing a Crossfit 10-2 shirt that clearly displayed Leadville, CO on it. This book was a great story about a man, his loves and his running. Sadly, I did not get to finish the final 3 chapters of the book as one of my dogs decided to read it himself. It ended it tatters. Brian, I need to buy another copy from you so I can see how it all ends!
(Side note: Brian Burk is running the Leadville 100 this year! I know he is going to kill it and this is my own plea that if needs a pacer or crew member for any of it, I'M DOWN! Would love to watch his dream unfold!)
Books I’m looking forward to:
North
Scott Jurek's sophomore book is about his attempt to set the fastest known time to complete the Appalachian Trail. I loosely followed this online as he did it and was enthralled for the entire time. How anyone can run 2,000+ miles in about 46 days is simply amazing. I can not wait to read all of the details!
Ultra Mindset
Travis Macy personally gave me this book at the Leadville 100 pre race expo! I've listened to him on podcasts and have followed his advice in training for races, so it was surreal to have him hand me a book despite me not having any cash on me. Travis, I have not read your book yet, as I was saving it for this winter. I'll happily post my thoughts on it after I read it!
Natural Born Heroes
Chris McDougall can not possibly out do what he did in writing Born to Run. That being said, I can't wait to read this and see what he has put forth. I only hope it's 10% of what Born to Run was, that'll still make it amazing.
Running with a Police Escort: Tales from the Back of the Pack
I just recently heard of this book and find the title HILARIOUS! I can only imagine what it is about, but it's on my short list, and love that it embraces that fact that we all aren't super humans. This book will probably hit much closer to how I actually feel running than how I want to feel, but I love that there is a running book not written by a super human and with some humility.
Did I miss one of your favorites? Please leave comments below, I'd love for more reading material myself!
I've read a few of those books and found them to be very interesting, especially the one by Dean Karnazes. I actually had the opportunity to hang with him a bit at a sponsored group run, he's flashy but very down to earth! If you're looking for an easy read, I suggest Meb For Mortals. He puts a lot of things in perspective and in such a way that even I was able to understand the information! Also, I liked Dr. Jordan Metzl's Running Strong. It's a great book for recovering from injuries and also preventing such problems. I read the post with your upcoming 2018 running calendar and think this book would be a great fit. Both books I mentioned have invaluable information, but they are ones I would just obtain from the library as a month is enough to get what you'll need.
ReplyDeletejlammers002 at woh dot rr dot com
Thanks for the info and reading suggestions. I’ll be picking that up soon, for sure!
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