Running Shorts: Books and Running
This morning I just went for a long run. Normally I run with a group that keeps the conversation going, but today I went solo. During those runs, I normally listen to music or podcasts to keep me entertained during the many hours I might be out there. If running on a treadmill, normally the go-to is a TV show or movie(s), depending on how long I need to run.
But today, I listened to an audiobook, and even normally, I tend to listen to Business, Development, Leadership, and Personal Development books; once in a while, I pick a Running related book to follow me during the runs. Here is a list of possible books to listen to and my take on them, including the most recent one from today’s run, Hal Koerner’s field guide to Ultrarunning, by Hal Koerner
Rating ❶–❺ – Title – Author
❺– Hal Koerner’s field guide to Ultrarunning – Hal Koerner
If you are starting to dabble into ultrarunning or any distance longer than 26.2 miles, this book is for you. Filled with excellent ideas on approaching the miles, challenges, and miles. It covers most of the typical topics and how to tackle most of those general situations that a runner will encounter in their Ultrarunning adventures.
❺– Running for Mortals – John “The Penguin” Bingham and Jenny Hadfield
New to running or struggling with how to come back or start, this book provides excellent and sometimes funny anecdotes while giving plenty of things to consider when tackling those initial steps and miles.
❺– Training Essentials for Ultrarunning – Jason Koop, Jim Rutberg, Corrine Malcolm
Now, if you have already dabbled distances longer than 26.2 or have tackled multiple marathons already, and you are ready to step up the performance, these training essentials will provide you with additional ideas, concepts, and approaches to be able to understand so many aspects of ultrarunning.
❺– Going Long: Legends, Oddballs, Comebacks & Adventures – David Willey
Excellent collection of stories about runners and running that will definitely get you inspired about the runners, their challenges, and the community around us.
❹– The Rise of Ultra Runners – Adharanand Finn
If you have done a 50-mile, 100k, or 100-mile event, you will see yourself immerse in the story and relate with the author as he tells you his story and provides you with so many moments of a reality check and hope. And if you have not, you will still see many aspects of what it is running an ultramarathon and the running community.
❹– 1:59* – Phillip Maffetone, Bill Katovsky
This will take you on a journey to the limitations, efforts, challenges, and possibilities of achieving a faster than 2-hour marathon. Very informative and entertaining.
❸– Born to run – Christopher McDougall
Great story that provides you with plenty of anecdotes and stories.
❸– Ultra Marathon Man – Dean Karnazes
Another great story of one of the craziest Ultramarathoners out there. The book provides you with some golden nuggets that you could translate to your running.
❸– Runner’s World Big Book of Marathon and Half – Jennifer Van Allen, Bart Yasso, Amby Burfoot, Pamela Nisevich Bede
Plenty of golden nuggets and information for runners at all levels
❸– Daniels’ Running Formula – Jack Daniels
Plenty of golden nuggets and information for runners at all levels. Very instructional and detailed information that you could use.
❸– North – Scott Jurek & Jenny Jurek
Fascinating story about the record-breaking Appalachian Trails attempt. What I like about this story is that it also shares the perspective of a crew member (His wife) and pacers (Multiple). This part sometimes gets forgotten from many other stories, but for the long events, the crew and pacers are key to a successful event and race.
❷– What I talk when I talk about Running – Haruki Murakami
It was a decent read
❶– The Runner’s Literary Companion – Edited by Garth Battista
Compendium of Poems and stories about running. I read a quarter of the way and, unfortunately, it did not grab my attention or provide much of the golden nuggets I seek in books. But I know my taste in books is very different, and others might find this book inspirational or at least full of reflections.