Riverside running, walking and fitness club

Reading List

Best Coffee Table Books

26.2 Marathon Stories by Katherine Switzer

I absolutely love this book. It sits proudly on my coffee table. It’s such a beautifully inspiring page turner. Lovely photos with evocative writing. A must have.

Terry Fox & His Marathon of Hope

I’ve given this book to many runners as a gift. The story of Terry Fox is becoming well known but his legend is one that should continue to grow. The book is emotionally charged. There are pictures of Terry running, of the prosthetic leg he ran on, of letters he received from children all over the world. It’s a beautiful tribute. If there is one book you should have, it’s this one.

The Trifecta of Training Bibles

These three books are widely regarded as absolute essentials for runners looking to ‘take it to the next level’ in their training and knowledge about running. All are highly recommended.

The Lore of Running by Dr. Tim Noakes

Arguably the book that says you’ve arrived at the ‘serious’ running scene. Lore’s got it all.

Daniels Running Formula by Dr. Jack Daniels

Daniels formula explains – like no other – the science behind your runs.

Advanced Marathoning by Pete Pfitzinger

Take your marathoning to that next level.

Heroes & Heroic Performances

Terry: Terry Fox Marathon of Hope

I know this appears in the ‘Coffee Table’ section of this post but it’s just that good. Terry was, in every sense of the word, a hero.

Buy this book as a two-part purchase for the amazing pictures and scrapbook images.

Terry Fox: His Story

This is the official biography of Terry Fox. It’ll put words to all the pictures you’ll see in the first book shown above.

Marathon Woman: Running the Race to Revolutionize Women’s Sports

Katherine Switzer is famous for being the first woman to (illegally) run the Boston Marathon. She broke down barriers for women’s running.

Roger Bannister The Four Minute Mile

From the legend who ran the first four minute mile.

The Perfect Mile

A Father’s Odyssey

75 Consecutive Marathons in 75 Consecutive Days will inspire you to remember that achieving what you are called to do is always possible

Alan Webb & the Quest for the Sub-Four Minute Mile

Follow high school phenom as he sets out to smash Jim Ryun’s high school mile record.

More Training Resources

Run Less, Run Faster

The book that professes you can maximize your training into a few key workouts per week.

Brain Training For Runners by Matt Fitgerald

Get your head in the game!

Explosive Running by Michael Yessis

Lots of great stuff for building strength and power into your running.

Treadmill Training for Runners

How to train when you’re stuck indoors.

Healthy Intelligent Training: The Proven Principles of Arthur Lydiard

Arthur Lydiard’s principles written in today’s layman terms.

Total Heart Rate Training

Get the most out of your heart and heart rate monitor. Learn the perfect method for identifying how hard you are working.

Marathon: The Ultimate Training Guide by Hal Higdon

Hal Higdon is legendary in getting people to finish the distance.

Running To Win by George Sheehan

Another legend of running teaches you how to get the most out of your training.

Alberto Salazar’s Guide to Running

Boston winner and current U.S. running coach. You can’t go wrong listening to what Alberto has to say.

Alberto Salazar’s Guide to Road Racing

Running Times Guide to Breakthrough Running

A great deal of information packed into a fairly small package. That’s khalid khannouchi on the cover.

Cross-Training

The Runner’s Yoga Book

Yoga is all about breathing, relaxing, core strength and more – all good stuff for runners.

Core Performance by Mark Verstegen

Excellent, excellent excellent book on building core strength. Terrific descriptions with fantastic photo illustrations and training programs. Highly recommended.

Runner’s World Guild to Cross Training

Ultimate Weight Training for Runners

Jumping Into Plyometrics

Plyometrics = power = speed. ’nuff said.

By Arthur Lydiard & Bill Bowerman

Jogging With Lydiard

Many people credit Bill Bowerman with starting the jogging movement in the US. However, it was Arthur Lydiard who taught Bowerman about jogging. The rest is history.

Running With Lydiard

Running To The Top by Arthur Lydiard

Jogging by Bill Bowerman

One of the books that started it all.

Bios of Elite Runners & Coaches

Pre

If you don’t know who Pre was (Steve Prefontaine), you owe it to yourself to find out. He, like no other American athlete, has inspired millions of aspiring runners.

Paula Radcliffe Paula: My Story So Far

Paula is the world record holder for the women’s marathon. She’s got guts, determination and talent. She also tells a great story.

Bowerman and the Men of Oregon: The Story of Oregon’s Legendary Coach and Nike’s Cofounder

I cannot recommend this book enough. It’s absolutely packed with US running history. It covers (among many things) Bowerman, Steve Prefontaine, the birth of Nike and so much more.

The Greatest: The Haile Gebrselassie Story

It’s very easy to call Haile the greatest. He’s set more records than seems possible – including the last two world records in the marathon. He’s also an amazing, gracious human being. His is a wonderful story of triumph.

The Perfect Distance – Ovett and Coe: The Record-Breaking Rivalry

Ovett and Coe were dominant in a very special competitive way that elevated the sport of running in their generation. This book covers this story, as well as bios of each runner.

The Man Who Ran Faster Than Everyone: The Story of Tom Longboat

Tom Longboat was a native Canadian runner from the early 1900s. He was the dominant runner of his age having won Boston and races too numerous to mention. He is still regarded as a role model for First Nations people in Canada.

Barefoot Runner: Abebe Bikila

Abebe is famous for having won the Rome Olympic marathon while running barefoot. His emergence really opened the door for African distance runners who are today, still dominant on the world stage.

For Beginners & The Back of the Pack

The Courage To Start by John Bingham

One of many books by self-professed ‘Penguin’ John Bingham. If you have doubts whether you can run, John will erase them.

Marathoning for Mortals by John Bingham

John leads you through your first marathon.

No Need for Speed by John Bingham

Galloway’s Book of Running by Jeff Galloway

It’s possible Jeff Galloway has been responsible for getting more Americans running than anyone else. He’s famous for his run-walk method.

Running: From Start to Finish by John Stanton of the Running Room

John Stanton is the Galloway of Canada. An excellent book covering all the basics of running.

Absolute Beginners Guide to Half Marathon Training

A nice addition to the ‘beginner’ stuff since it focuses on running a half marathon – a great intermediary race to do before tackling 26.2.

Beginning Runner’s Handbook

Jeff Galloway’s Marathon: You Can Do It!

Famous Races & Amazing Places

The Boston Marathon – A Century of Blood, Sweat and Cheers

Boston, a Century of Running : Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Boston Athletic Association Marathon

New York Marathon: A Race Like No Other

The Essential Guide to Running the New York Marathon

London Marathon: The History of the Greatest Race On Earth

Olympic Marathon Centennial

The Coolest Race on Earth: Mud, Madmen, Glaciers, and Grannies at the Antarctica Marathon

Very cool!

Great Races, Incredible Places: 100+ Fantastic Runs Around the World

This book goes on my wish list.

From Fairbanks to Boston: 50 Great U.S. Marathons

Fiction

Once a Runner by John L. Parker

Unquestionably the most famous piece of running fiction and very highly rated by all who’ve reviewed it.

The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner

Again to Carthage by John L. Parker

The follow up to ‘Once a Runner’. Also highly reviewed.

Running with the Buffaloes: A Season Inside with Mark Wetmore, Adam Goucher, and the University of Colorado Men’s Cross-Country Team

Life at These Speeds

A young runner must overcome tragedy to win.

History & Reference

All of the following books are fascinating takes on the history of running.

Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen

Currently the number one selling running book on Amazon.

Strides: Running Through History With An Unlikely Athlete

Running Through the Ages

Why We Run: A Natural History

Running Cultures: Racing in Time and Space

Runner’s World The Runner’s Body: How the Latest Exercise Science Can Help You Run Stronger, Longer, and Faster

Quotes & Inspiration

The Quotable Runner

Gigantic Book of Running Quotations

The Runner’s Guide to the Meaning of Life: What 35 Years of Running Has Taught Me About Winning, Losing, Happiness, Humility, and the Human Heart by Amby Burfoot

Runner’s Book of Daily Inspiration

What I Talk About When I Talk About Running by Haruki Murakami

Murakami’s latest is a nonfiction work mostly concerned with his thoughts on the long-distance running he has engaged in for much of his adult life. Through a mix of adapted diary entries, old essays, reminiscences and life advice, Murakami crafts a charming little volume notable for its good-natured and intimate tone. While the subject matter is radically different from the fabulous and surreal fiction that Murakami (The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle) most often produces, longtime readers will recognize the source of the isolated, journeying protagonists of the author’s novels in the formative running experiences recounted.

My Life on the Run: The Wit, Wisdom, and Insights of a Road Racing Icon by Bart Yasso

Many people are familiar with the Yasso 800 workout. Bart created those but he’s done much, much more. Trust me on this!

Running Form/Mechanics/Technique

Pose Method of Running by Dr. Nicholas Romanov

I am a follower of the Pose Method. It’s changed everything I thought I knew about running. Highly recommended.

Chi Running by Danny Dreyer

As passionate as I am about Pose, others are equally passionate about Chi Running.

Books For or About Women

Running and Fatburning for Women

Runner’s World Guide to Running and Pregnancy

Running & Walking for Women Over 40

Women Who Run

The Silence of Great Distance: Women Running Long

Complete Book of Running for Women

Runner’s World Complete Book of Women’s Running

Joan Benoit Samuelson’s Running for Women

Who doesn’t love Joannie?

The Nonrunner’s Marathon Guide for Women: Get Off Your Butt and On with Your Training

Injury Prevention & Treatment

5-Minute-Plantar-Fasciitis-Solution

Runner’s World Guide to Injury Prevention

Fixing Your Feet: Prevention And Treatments for Athletes

The Runners’ Repair Manual: A Complete Program for Diagnosing and Treating Your Foot, Leg and Back Problems

I Run, Therefore I Am –Nuts!

Very funny stuff!

The Ultimate Guide to Trail Running: Everything You Need to Know About Equipment * Finding Trails * Nutrition * Hill Strategy * Racing * Avoiding Injury * Training * Weather * Safety

Runner’s World Complete Guide to Trail Running

Trail Running: From Novice to Master (The Mountaineers Outdoor Expert Series)

Ultra Running

Ultra Running With Scott Jurek

Scott Jurek is legend in ultra-running. If you were to buy one book on the subject, it should be one written by/about him.

Ultra Marathon Man: Confessions of an All Night Runner

Dean Karnazes is either famous or infamous depending on your view of his ability to self promote. That aside, Karnazes has done some pretty cool things and he also has some very positive messages to share.

50/50: Secrets I Learned Running 50 Marathons in 50 Days — and How You Too Can Achieve Super Endurance!

The Extra Mile: One Woman’s Personal Journey to Ultrarunning Greatness by Pam Reid

Pam Reid is just an unbelievably talented ultra runner. She should be an inspiration to anyone involved or interested in the sport.

Running Through the Wall: Personal Encounters with the Ultramarathon

For those who find the 26.2-mile marathon just not enough, there is the ultramarathon. What makes ultra-runners tick? What goes through their minds at mile 93? How can you train for such a colossal undertaking? These questions and many more are answered in Running Through the Wall, an inspiring collection of 39 personal stories from ultramarathoners.

Free Downloadable Running Book

Gordon Pirie Running Fast and Injury Free

Note: This ebook is not on Amazon. Throughout the 1950s the most talked about athlete in Britain was Gordon Pirie. Part of the explanation was that Gordon kept talking about himself and what he might and might not do. Making statements, for example, like the one when he predicted he would smash the world 5000m. record with a time of around 13min. 40sec. some 18 seconds below the then world record. He knew how to ruffle the feathers of his fellow competitors, but he did have talent in abundance.

What’s cool about Pirie’s book are his discussions about running form. He was clearly a visionary thinker. Definitely worth a read!

Nutrition, Diet, Weight Management

Runner’s World Runner’s Diet: The Ultimate Eating Plan That Will Make Every Runner (and Walker) Leaner, Faster, and Fitter