If you asked me to pick my top 5 running books, it would be challenging. The bigger and more inclusive the sport of running becomes, the more books are published. I can’t say I mind, though!
Recently I finished Can’t Nothing Bring Me Down: Chasing Myself in the Race against Time by Ida Keeing. Ida is 104 years old! Whether you are looking for a book to inspire or motivate you, learn to cook more, or learn more about training, there is something for everyone.
Here are a few running books to keep you entertained:
Running Books to Inspire and Motivate You:
- 401; The Man who ran 401 marathons in 401 days by Ben Smith
- 26 Marathons: What I Learned About Faith, Identity, Running, and Life from My Marathon Career by Men Keflezighi
- A Beautiful Work in Progress by Mirna Valerio
- Born to Run by Christopher Mcdougal
- Bravey by Alexi Pappas
- Can’t Nothing Bring Me Down: Chasing Myself in the Race against Time by Ida Keeing
- Eat and Run: My Unlikely Journey to Ultramarathon Greatness by Scott Jurek
- Endure: Mind, Body, and the Curiously Elastic Limits of Human Performance by Alex Hutchinson
- Inside a Marathon by Scott Fauble
- Jog On: How Running Saved My Life by Bella Mackie
- Leap In by Alexandra Heminsley (this is about open water swimming, but it relates to running too, which is why I included it in running books)
- Let Your Mind Run by Deena Kastor
- Marathon Man: My 26.2-mile journey from unknown grad student to Top of the Running World by Bill Rodgers
- Marathon Woman by Kathrine Switzer
- My Life on the Run by Bart Yasso
- The Long Run: A New York City Firefighter’s Triumphant Comeback from Crash Victim to Elite Athlete by Matt Long
- North: Finding My Way While Running the Appalachian Trail by Scott Jurek
- Once a Runner by John L Parker Jr.
- A Race Like No Other: 26.2 miles through the streets of New York by Liz Robbins
- Running: A Love Story: 10 Years, 5 Marathons, and 1 Life-Changing Sport by Jen. A Miller
- The Runner’s Guide to the Meaning of Life by Amby Burfoot
- The Runners Rulebook (hilarious) by Mark Remy
- Running the Rift by Naomi Benaron
- Running Home: A Memoir Katie Arnold
- Running For My Life: How I built a better me one step at a time by Rachel Ann Cullen
- Running on Empty: An Ultramarathoner’s Story of Love, Loss and a Record-Setting Run Across America by Marshall Ulric
- 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
- Running with the Kenyans by Adharanand Finn
- Run the World: My 3500 Journey through Running Cultures by Becky Wade
- Spirit Run: A 6,000-Mile Marathon Through North America’s Stolen Land by Noe Alvarez
- Strong: A Runners Guide to Boosting Confidence by Kara Goucher
- The Pants Of Perspective by Anna McNuff
- Ultramarathon Man: Confessions of an All-Night Runner by Dean Karnazes
- What I Talk About When I Talk About Running by Haruki Murakami
Cook Books:
- Cook, Eat, Run: Cook Fast, Boost Performance: Charlie Watson
- Run Fast. Cook Fast. Eat Slow. by Elyse Kopecky and Shalane Flanagan
- The Runner’s Kitchen: 100 Stamina-Building, Energy-Boosting Recipes, with Meal Plans to Maximize Your Training by Emma Coburn
- Runner’s World Meals on the Run: 150 Energy-Packed Recipes in 30 Minutes or Less
Running Books about Training:
- 80/20 Running: Run Stronger and Race Faster by Matt Fitzgerald
- Anatomy for Runners by Jay Dicharry
- Advanced Marathoning by Pete Pfitzinger and Scott Douglas
- Elite Minds: Creating the Competitive Advantage by Dr. Stan Beecham
- The Divided Mind: An epidemic of Mind Body Disorders by Dr. John Sarno
- Good to Go: What the Athlete Can Learn About Recovery by Christie Aschwanden
- Guide to Running Shoes ebook (you know I had to include my own ebook)
- Hansons Marathon Method by Luke Humphrey
- How Bad Do You Want It?: Mastering the Psychology of Mind over Muscle by Matt Fitzgerald
- The Run Walk Method by Jeff Galloway
Running Books Conclusion:
No matter what kind of running books you’re looking for, there is something. From nonfiction to fiction, training, and cookbooks, there is plenty of interesting running book to motivate and inspire you.
You can also see Movies About Running or Running Podcasts to Listen To.
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Questions for you:
What is your favorite running book?
Do you prefer reading fiction or nonfiction?