This post is long overdue as many people have requested me to write are running books I’m reading or have read. There are hundreds of running books out there and no one can ever read them all.
Of course, we have to start with “Born to Run” by Christopher McDougall. Born to Run is the running book every runner has asked another runner if they have read. It’s a great book and I highly recommend starting there. Plus Christopher McDougall has a new book coming out soon called: Running with Sherman: The Donkey with the Heart of a Hero.
Right now, I’m currently reading North: Finding My Way While Running the Appalachian Trail by Scott Jurek. As an avid hiker and someone who enjoys hiking the Appalachian Trail, this has been on my running book “to do list” for a while.
Whether you are just beginning your running journey, long-distance ultra runner, professional runner, training for the Boston Marathon, or looking for a training book to stay injury-free, there are plenty of running books out there.
Here a few Running Books I’ve Read and Enjoyed:
There are obviously many more running books and I appreciate any suggestions.
Broken Open: Mountains, Demons, Treadmills And a Search for Nirvana by David Clark
C is for Chafing by Mark Remy
Finding Ultra by Rich Roll
Inside a Marathon by Scott Fable
Let Your Mind Run: A Memoir of Thinking My Way to Victory by Deena Kastor
Life Is a Marathon: A Memoir of Love and Endurance by Matt Fitzgerald
Marathon Man: My 26.2-Mile Journey from Unknown Grad Student to the Top of the Running World
My Life on the Run by Bart Yasso
My Year of Running Dangerously by Tom Foreman
North: Finding My Way While Running the Appalachian Trail by Scott Jurek
Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World by David Epstein
Running: A Love Story: 10 Years, 5 Marathons, and 1 Life-Changing Sport by Jen Miller (Jen is local to South Jersey!)
Run the Mile You’re In: Finding God in Every Step by Ryan Hall
Run to Overcome by Meb Keflezighi
Running with the Buffaloes: A Season Inside With Mark Wetmore, Adam Goucher, And The University Of Colorado Men’s Cross Country Team by Chris Lear
The Passion Paradox: A Guide to Going All In, Finding Success, and Discovering the Benefits of an Unbalanced Life by Brad Stulburg
The Runners Rule Book by Mark Remy
Running Books that are Related to Training and Training Plans:
80/20 Running: Run Stronger and Race Faster By Training Slower by Matt Fitzgerald (I *personally* think one of the best running books I’ve read).
Brain Training for Runners: A Revolutionary New Training System to Improve Endurance, Speed, Health and Results by Matt Fitzgerald
How Bad Do You Want It?: Mastering the Psychology of Mind over Muscle by Matt Fitzgerald
Run Faster: How to be your own best coach by Matt Fitzgerald
Running Books Related to Nutrition:
The Athlete’s Fix: A Program for Finding Your Best Foods for Performance and Health by Pip Taylor
Run Fast. East Slow. by Shalane Flanagan and Elyse Kopecky
The Runner’s World Vegetarian Cookbook by Heather Mayer Irvine
If reading running books isn’t your thing, many are also available on audible and in audiobook format. In a previous post, I rounded up several running podcasts I enjoy listening too as well.
Finally, have you subscribed to the LOLZletter? It’s a free newsletter that comes out each Monday. In the newsletter, I share running industry trends and things relevant to the sport.
Question for you: What are some of your favorite running books?
First Marathons: Personal Encounters With the 26.2-Mile Monster by Gail Kislevitz
Thank you! I’ll have to look into them.
How bad do you want it is so good!
I really liked Run the Mile You’re In! I’ve read that one several times. It’s a big run/spirit encouragement boost for me. As far as running psychology you may like, Elite Minds, Peak Performance, and Run Like a Champion. A good one for strength and runner’s anatomy is Running Rewired!
What I Talk About When I Talk About Running by Haruki Murakami
I’ve heard that is another good one! Thank you.