Good running book recommendations

Hi All

Going to be spending a long time on a plane in near future and looking for a good running book - not sure whether to go good training bok or inspirational but these are books currently on my shortlist.

Training Books

The art of running faster; Daniels Running Formula; The Runners Handbook by Bob Glover

Inspirational Reads

From Last to First; Born to Run; The Ghost Runner; Feet in the Clouds; What I talk about when I talk about running; Running Crazy;

Any pointers that anyone can give me would be good - I'm 44 and been training for about a year and I've just run a 42min 10k so not a beginner but a long way from elite too!

Feet in the Clouds interested me because I walk the fells but I don't do fell running so worried it might be a bit specialist - full of experiences I haven't shared etc.

Thanks for any responses, cheers, Skinny 

 

Comments

  • Matt - thanks - like a lot of new threads on here I should have simply put books into search facility and see what comes upimage so thanks for redirecting me!

    On strength of other thread I have already purchased Born to Run - thanks for your help.

    Cheers, Skinny

  • Tom.Tom. ✭✭✭
    I'm currently reading a book about UK Athletics called "Running Scared". You may need to check the reviews on Amazon. It's not inspirational, nor does it hold the secrets of success, but it is one hell of a read.
  • Running Wild by Boff Whalley

    Running with the Kenyans
  • Charlie Speddings book

    'Tea with Mr Newton' the story of Arthur Newton is  really good read.

  • Not sure why Plimsolls on Eyeballs out has never caught on - a biography of Jim Peters-  shows how the old guys really trained - would endorse the Running with the Kenyans book - I read that on holiday -

  • Tom.Tom. ✭✭✭
    Another vote for Running With The Kenyan. It provides a real insight into what makes them so good.
  • Hi,

    I enjoyed Running with The Kenyans too.They are SO dedicatd. I borrowed it from our local library ,together with Can't Swim Can't ride Can't Run:Common man to Iron man. That made me laugh alot(and cry abit) and was a really lighthearted read.Thoroughly enjoyed it.

  • Running with the kenyans for me as well  - really enjoyed it. You may have gone on holiday already so apologies if it's late!

    Thoughts on The Art of Running Faster by Goater anyone? I'm tempted.....image

    Also enjoyed Chrissie Wellington's book - Tri I know but a good read!

  • If any of you are in the Portsmouth area on the 27th October you may be interested in part of the Portsmouth Book fest. They are doing a 'Marathon Read' from 12 -4 with talks by Adharanand Finn who wrote "Running with Kenyans" and Helen Summer who wrote "Running Crazy". I'm also on the bill, and no I'm not getting paid.

    It costs a fiver and details are here :details of the book festival you'll find details of the rest of the festival, some great authors on especially if you like crime.

    As a reader I'm looking forward to hearing Adharanand and Helen speak.

  •  

    Another endorsement for running with the kenyans, born to run and also I liked Ultra Marathon man which hasn't been mentioned yet. I found part of feet in the clouds excellent but other bits as a non fell runner were pretty heavy going!

  •  

    Ironholgs wrote (see)

    If any of you are in the Portsmouth area on the 27th October you may be interested in part of the Portsmouth Book fest. They are doing a 'Marathon Read' from 12 -4 with talks by Adharanand Finn who wrote "Running with Kenyans" and Helen Summer who wrote "Running Crazy". I'm also on the bill, and no I'm not getting paid.

    It costs a fiver and details are here :details of the book festival you'll find details of the rest of the festival, some great authors on especially if you like crime.

    As a reader I'm looking forward to hearing Adharanand and Helen speak.

    Ironholgs - you may have a lot to answer for!!! I am doing the GSR the next day and am coming over from Jersey on the Saturday morning - was going to do Christmas shopping in Southampton but am now going to attend the Book festival instead! I've read Running with the Kenyans and really enjoyed it. Tickets go on sale on Monday.

    It'll be inspiration for getting me round the course the next day  image    just not sure what to do about Christmas pressies.........

  • Aplogies to your family if they go without this Christmas image

  •  The Runners Handbook, and the Competitive Runners Handbook, both by Glover, are my constant reference books.

    Daniels Formula is a book I have often browsed through but never bought. If I ever run a marathon though that is the book I will buy.

    Bounce-Matthew Syed. The chapter on purposeful practice is worth committing to memory.

     

     

     

     

     

  • Got my ticket for the Marathon Read 27th October in Portsmouth  - really good value for £5.00 and means I can sit down and relax before doing the GSR the next day and feel motivated!

    Ordered The Art of Running Faster not yet arrived though.

  • The Dirtiest Race Ever. The story of Mens Olympic 100m in Seoul 1988. A cracking read.

  • My cousin bought me the book "what I talk about when I talk about running" excellent read.
  • Jelleybaby looks like your family will get books for Xmas!!!
  • The Lore of Running - a right riveting read.....luckily it's not that long.
  • Thanks everyone - I have finished Born to Run now - really enjoyed it and thought provoking and inspiring stuff.

    Had to google a couple of real life stories quoted in book because just couldn't believe they were true - Scott Jurek in Badlands Ultra being most memorable 'as if' story that turned out to be true!

    Cheers, Skinny

  • Reading Scott Jureks Eat and Run. Its not too bad some really good advice as you would imagine. Some funny stories and some sad ones too. He tries too hard to come across as humble and bangs on about how much he doesn't force his vegan diet on people, which in turn makes him seem not too humble and he bangs on about his vegan diet lol. However it is called eat and run for a reason I suppose but I just feel he could have put a load of recipes in the back and concentrated on the running. However its quite inspirational and an easy read

  • Hi folks,

    Agree with Grendel3, Plimsolls on Eyeballs Out is a brilliant read about Jim Peters, as is Rob Hadgraft's other book Arthur Nerwton, Tea With Mr Newton. Last To First by Spedding is great and in the index page there's extracts of his training leading up to ther Olympic marathon, worth the price of the book on its own. There was a book out not long ago about Gordon Pirie, The Impossible Hero which was good.

    Lore Of Running is a classic, if not heavy read, but it covers all you'd want to know and more.

     

  • guv001 wrote (see)
    ....luckily it's not that long.

    That's because you skipped all the long words image

    Prof Noakes certainly knows his sports science being one of the World authorities in the subject - but it takes time to absorb if you have no background in the subject.  It also doubles up as a useful step for heel drops.

  • Rather than start a new thread, just dragging this one up from the dead to recommend a very good book that I read recently.

    It's called "Everything will all work out in the long run" by Dave Urwin.

    It's basically the story of a regular bloke who finds solace in long distance running, having endured a fair few setbacks and health issues in the past.

    I did actually find myself identifying with large chunks of the book, which is perhaps why I found it such an interesting read.

    Anyway, an esteemed book critic I am not, so that's about the extent of my review.  It's a good book and anyone who's into ultras will probably enjoy it, innit.

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