Tag: book

running books
Gear Review, Running

Running Books

Hollie

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.

running books

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

Train Like a Mother: How to get across any finish line – and not lose your family, job or sanity by Sarah Bowen Shea and Dimity McDowell

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? 

 

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Running

Runner’s World Festival

Hollie

I’m not sure where I wanted to start my Runners World Festival Recap.

Do I start with the races? The events? The food? As luck would have it, I’m haven’t finished writing the race recaps so events it is!  I thought about adding the events and food together, but it was too long.  So more posts for you.

As you might recall, I was an influencer for the Runner’s World Festival last year, and I was invited back again this year too.  When they asked, I was extremely excited.  I had already planned to come up for at least the half marathon.

Thinking out loud, To be honest, the entire weekend is one of my favorite events of the year!

The Crowd…

The Energy…

The Runners World Staff…

Plus Bethlehem is only about 60 miles from my house (but anywhere from 1.5-2.5 drive because of Philadelphia traffic).  I arrived at Bethlehem the Thursday before the race.  We went to a BBQ hosted by Runner’s World with plenty of delicious food.

We were then split up into teams to compete in the “Altra” Olympics.  (Altra is the shoe company that sponsors the Runners World Festival).

My partner, this time, was Jason from SaltyRuns.  I already knew Jason well and we chatted back in May.  He gave me advice on my most recent fracture.  Jason is a great guy, and his blog is extremely informative about running related topics: anywhere from shoes to injuries to marathoning!

We had a fun task to create our own country flag, complete with a name and motto.  Being the cleaver people we are we chose:

“Salty Lolz,” Run Hard, Laugh Harder.  

Jason and I

To be honest, I’m not all that creative, and I was extremely proud of this.

After that, we retired for the night and were up bright and early for a Pop-up November Project.  Before Friday, I had never done a November Project Workout.  I kind of knew about it (read: I knew it was hard and intense).  I was nervous to do a workout!

November Project

So I was trying something new and strenuous) before race day.

Fellow blogger, Ty and I
Fellow blogger, Ty and I
November Project Super Secret Meeting Runners World
Creeping on the famous ladies from “Super Secret Meeting” (It’s hilarious if you’ve never watched their videos)

A new workout was not in the actual game plan and I will say, I was sore for the rest of the weekend. It was a great workout and there is a Philadelphia Chapter.  I think I’ll save it for the weeks I’m not racing.

November Project
November Project, Brogan, said: “Be Serious” and I was just awkward…

I don’t regret doing it and it was a lot of fun.  I can see why it draws hundreds in the Boston area.

After the November Project,  we had a gait analysis from Altra founder, Golden.  He helped with form and had great advice for techniques when you’re tired. Of course, he talked about his running shoe brand, Altra too.  We carry Altras at work, so it was beneficial knowledge for me to have for work too.

Altra Founder Golden

For those who don’t know, Altra is a “zero drop” foot shaped shoe brand.  Last year, I reviewed the Altra Paradigm.  This year I’m currently trying out a pair of Altra Torin 2.5s.

Altra Founder Golden
Fascinating

We had an excellent lunch using recipes from “Run Fast, Eat Slow.”  I’m sure most in the Running World are familiar with Shalane’s new book. We were given a copy, and I’ve made a few recipes at home myself that I do like.

The beet hummus and pita chips are delicious...
The beet hummus and pita chips are delicious…

We also got to be part of the new launch for Dean Karnazes book: Road to Sparta.  It was so new; I was the first person he signed the book for.  I’ve dug into the book already myself. Karnazes recreates the very first journey and the birth of the marathon.  To recreate it, he even goes without modern day sports nutrition (energy gels, Gatorade, etc. basically ).  He was telling us how he lived on figs and olives throughout the entire process.  He basically ran and ate figs for 26 hours straight (in costume too!).  I would definitely recommend picking up a copy.  I’m just over halfway through, and I’ve enjoyed it!

Back to meeting Dean: 

Road to Sparta Dean Karnazes.

I pretty much sounded like a gargled mess.  Typical of me since I am incredibly awkward in real life…  (You have to own it though).

Road to Sparta Dean Karnazes.

After lunch, we were off on our own.  To be honest, it was only 1 pm, and I was exhausted.  It was nice to relax and prepare for the races.  As I mentioned on Instagram, I ran an 18:41 5k and 1:24.17 half marathon.  I was surprised with the half marathon time since it was a hilly course and I had raced the day before.

Questions for you:

Have you ever done a November Project Workout?

Have you ever met a writer or celebrity?  Are you as awkward as I am?