Hello! Today we’re talking about my latest picks for the top 10 running books – but I want you to chime in with your favorite too!
I’m actually reading Unbroken right now (info below) and have been meaning to share. Then, I got an email from reader Kristin and figured I’d share my list before I finish Unbroken (I’m almost done and it’s good!).
I love your blog and I wanted to know if you have any suggestions of good running books to read? I’m tapering right now for my first half and I want a good read to keep me motivated and relaxed (besides your blog lol). I’ve read Ultra-marathon Man recently and loved it! I started Born to Run a while back and it was ok. Do you have any other suggestions? Thanks a bunch!
Born to Run is one of my faves so I’m keeping it on the list even though it’s not her fave. Goes to show we all have different tastes in these kind of things. So, please leave a comment with your favorite so there’s something for everybody.
Top 10 Running Books of all time (or at least today)
1. Born to Run by Christopher McDougall
Why: The Tarahumara Indians are said to be the greatest runners in the world. They cover long distances through the mountains of Mexico with make-shift shoes. Viva!!!
2. Mile Markers by Kristin Armstrong
Why: Armstrong shares a ton of inspirational, thought provoking experiences while on the run. It’s an easy read with short, blog-like chapters.
3. 4:09:43 by Hal Higdon
Why: Higdon takes you on the journey of the Boston Marathon bombings as told by several runners who were there.
I interviewed him after I read the book. You can read it here.
4. First Marathons Introduction by Gail Waesche Kislevitz
Why: This book shares the story of 37 different first time marathoners. It includes pro runners and ‘normal’ runners too.
5. Kara Goucher’s Running for Women by Kara Goucher
Why: Goucher tells stories of her own training, struggles and journey from being a kid runner to pro. Super interesting to hear it from her perspective.
6. Runner’s World Big Book of Running for Beginners by Jennifer Van Allen, Bart Yasso, and Amby Burfoot with Pamela Nisevich Bede, RD, CSSD
Why: Answers all the questions a new runner has. Easy read, easy to navigate.
7. The Last Pick by David McGillivray
Full disclosure: I haven’t read this book, but I heard McGillivray speak last year and it was one of the best, most inspiring talks I’ve ever attended. If he writes anything like he speaks this is awesome.
8. Runner’s Bucket List – by Denise Malan
Why: This is really just like any other list of ‘must do races’ in book form. But, I want to mention it because this is the weirdest thing – my picture is in the book and I had no idea until a reader tweeted me about it. Random. So so random.
Also timely because this article was about the Long Beach Marathon which I just did this weekend!
9. Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand
Why: This book isn’t about running, but it’s about a runner – Louis Zamperini. The novel covers Zamperini’s running journey, WWII enlistment and eventual capture and time in a POW camp. I’m 3/4 done with it right now and it’s good!
10. You tell me!
I’m trying to improve my form right now, so the top three running books on my nightstand are as follows (in this order):
1) Anatomy for Runners: Unlocking Your Athletic Potential for Health, Speed, and Injury Prevention by Jay Dicharry – this book is the bomb for looking a form and how to improve it!
2) Women’s Complete Guide to Running by Jeff Galloway
3) Tread Lightly: Form, Footwear, and the Quest for Injury-Free Running by Bill Katovsky
I highly recommend Lopez Lomong’s story, “Running for my Life”! Thanks for sharing your list – I haven’t even heard of many of those!
I love “Born to Run”! I have Scott Jurek’s book, “Eat & Run” and I recently got it signed by him – which was AMAZING!! He’s such a cool, down to earth guy!! I see the Matt Frazier book in your pic above – I had the pleasure of meeting him too at a book signing in Scottsdale last year!!
Someone just recently told me about “Mile Markers” so I def want to pick up that book when I get a chance.
Another great book is “ChiRunning” by Danny Dreyer!
Thanks for the suggestions!
You inspired me to make my own list! http://veggiesfuelrunning.com/2014/10/15/my-favorite-running-books-pt-1/
But I had to break it up into two parts because there were about 15 books. I love Unbroken and Born to Run! Those are some of my favorites! Have you read Once a Runner and Again to Carthage? Amazing stories 🙂
I think Jeff Galloway’s books deserve a nod here. He has many, but the ones with training plans are great. I used the marathon book to train for mine. He gives great advice and really addresses every runner, especially the novice. He has a very approachable style.
Never Wipe Your Ass with a Squirrel: by Jason Robillard. It’s a fun read about trail running and ultra marathon tips. I like quirky reads and this worked for me. Born to Run, however is my all time favorite followed by Jurek’s Eat & Run. As soon as I finish Gone Girl I think I’ll pick up What I Talk About…, sounds like it’s an R.E.R. favorite.
I can’t wait to get my hands on Mile Markers! I love her posts online and had no idea she had a whole book. Thanks for the heads up!
Unbroken is incredible, I just finished it a few months ago! It reads like it can’t possibly be true, which makes it even more crazy.
I recommend The Long Run: A New York City Firefighter’s Triumphant Comeback from Crash Victim to Elite Athlete (by Matt Long) to everyone. It is crazy that he was able to just live thru his accident, and everything he has accomplished after that is absolutely amazing.
I have a library of running books. There are alot of great books out there; something for everyone!
My favorite is The Essential Sheehan by Dr. George Sheehan. It really inspired and gave me a deeper understanding of why I run.
I loved Unbroken! Couldn’t get through it without tears. Can’t wait for the movie to come out!
Unbroken. An amazing book that captured me from the moment I started it. I passed it on to my Marine son who was on a ship at the time and ~for the record he doesn’t love reading~ and he LOVED it, couldn’t put it down and passed it on to another Marine when he was done. We can’t wait for the movie.
I’m about 3/4 through the audio book of Unbroken – absolutely amazing!
I really love Run Like a Girl: How Strong Women Make Happy Lives, it’s my favorite book about running.
I agree that Unbroken was a great book, about a truly great, unstoppable man. I feel the need to say that it was not at all relaxing for me–I was TERRIFIED and couldn’t sleep over it! It is an amazing story that needs to be told, but was an emotionally heavy read for me!
I really liked the book, “Running for My Life” a memoir of Lopez Lamong. He was one of the “lost boys” of the Sudan, and is (was?) the current US record holder for the indoor 5k. Another inspiring read.
I read What I Talk About When I Talk About Running by Haruki Murakami a few months ago and absolutely loved it! I lent it to my dad to read (he also runs) but I think even a non-runner would enjoy it. I picked up Eat & Run by Scott Jurek a few weeks ago and it’s patiently waiting on my nightstand to be read. I can’t wait to try out some of his recipes!
Read Eat and Run by Scott Jurek!!
BORN TO RUN—says the walker 🙂
Born to Run is my favorite book. I haven’t read quite a few of your list, will check them soon. Thanks!
Қеep this going please, great job!
I love the book- The Runner’s Book of Daily Inspiration, by Kevin Nelson. You get an entry to read each day, so it is NOT your typical book, but so inspirational/motivational.
I had no idea Hal Higdon wrote a book about the Boston bombings, that is incredible! I need to read it!
Thank you for the recommendations! I’ve been looking into picking up some books about running, but I didn’t know what ones… and now I do!
Yeah, let me know which ones you get and what you think!
Running Like a Girl by Alexandra Heminsley was pretty great!! I could relate to much of it as I trained for my first marathon.
Finished listening to this audiobook this week. Initially just chose it for some motivation to get exercising but half way in I realised I wanted to give running another shot. Funny, relatable and helpful, I’ll be listening to this one again and again I think.
“Once a Runner,” is a great book.
“Once a Runner,” is a great running book.
My favorite is What I Talk About when I Talk About Running. I read it when I was training for a marathon and also going through a divorce. It was a quick read, and I felt like the lessons applied to life as well as running!!
Once a Runner is an all time favorite of mine! I listened to it as an audio book a few years ago and it gave me the push I needed to really fall in love with running. I highly recommend it and actually just picked up a paper copy so I can reread it again and again.
Born to Run changed my life! I loved every page of that book and while running Long Beach this past weekend I kept thinking “easy, light, smooth, fast” and of all the incredible stories shared in it. A must read in my opinion!
I agree!
Eat and Run by Scott Jurek is mine!
I love that book! He has such great stories and recipes. “Sometimes you just DO things”
🙂
Great post! My all time favorite running book is The Courage to Start by John Bingham. It’s about having the courage to try running but the message really applies to anything you need “courage to start”. I’ve given this book as a gift many times.
I loved this little book. It may be time to give it another read.
Been meaning to read some running books. I’m going to save this for sure! Thank You for your recommendation 🙂
I’ve been meaning to pick up 4:09:43. Might have to download it for my flight to Disney in November for the Avengers half.
It was really good! Let me know what you think.
I like Born to Run, but also What I Talk About When I Talk About Running by Murakami. He’s a great writer, so it’s nice to see the two things mix.
What I Talk About When I Talk About Running is a great book. Unbroken is a really good book also.
Hi Monica! I’ve been reading (stalking) your blog for awhile, but I had to chime in for this one. I love reading and I love running, so I get a bit light-headed with excitement when the two collide.
My favourite running book is ‘What I Talk About When I Talk About Running’ by Haruki Murakami, a well-known Japanese author. I love it because I can identify with his journey of just one day starting to run, and it quickly becoming a part of his self-identity and way of life. It’s very reflective and calming, and reminds me that running can just be about running!
My friend just told me about this one. HAVE to read it!
I have heard great things about that book! I need to get it next.
I will definitely check these out! I loved A Race Like No Other about the NYC Marathon.
I loved Unbroken, and I can’t wait to see the movie of it in December. Thanks for the suggestions of good running books!