Books about running

LionelNashe

Hi folks,

I've recently read "What I talk about when I talk about running" and "Born to Run".

The first one was interesting - I liked the calm, relaxed, writing style - I would like to get to the stage where I can run 6 or 7 miles a day as part of my normal schedule.

Born To Run was a really good read. The author has a dry sense of humour and an ability to inject drama into the events that he describes. Just to know that there are a bunch of guys down in Mexico who run hundreds of miles without built-up shoes or Garmins or energy-gels is very motivating.

What do people think of these books? And of the barefoot-running/ minimalist-shoe ideas in Born to Run? Are there any other books out there that people would recommend?

kit3

LionelNashe wrote: »

Hi folks,

I've recently read "What I talk about when I talk about running" and "Born to Run".

The first one was interesting - I liked the calm, relaxed, writing style - I would like to get to the stage where I can run 6 or 7 miles a day as part of my normal schedule.

Born To Run was a really good read. The author has a dry sense of humour and an ability to inject drama into the events that he describes. Just to know that there are a bunch of guys down in Mexico who run hundreds of miles without built-up shoes or Garmins or energy-gels is very motivating.

What do people think of these books? And of the barefoot-running/ minimalist-shoe ideas in Born to Run? Are there any other books out there that people would recommend?

I loved Born to Run also. Another of my favourites is Survival of the Fittest by Mike Stroud. Not solely a running book but has areas of running in it (he ran the MDS and the London marathons as well as 7 marathons on 7 continents in 7 days with Ran Finnes)

MrCreosote

Just ordered Born to Run so looking forward to reading it.

I've just finished "The Runner's Body" from the sportscientists.com blog guys. It's a very good introduction to the sciency bit of running- lots of the info is already on the website but it's all presented nicely in the book.

And "Feet in the Clouds" by Richard Askwith- about fellrunning in the UK. This is a pretty good read, once you get past the whole "we're so much harder than every other athlete because we do fellrunning" vibe going on.

BrendanCro

Barefoot Runner: The Life of Marathon Champion Abebe Bikila by Paul Rambali is a fantastic read - inspiring story and a great history of modern Ethiopia as well.

Why We Run: A Natural History by Bernd Heinrich is a kind of precusor to born to run - basically Heinrich back in 1981 tries to learn from nature how to become a better ultrarunner - slighlty science heavy but some interesting evelotionary discussions.

And now I know Born to Run slags him off and he is a shamelss self promoter but I really enjoyed Ultramarathon Man by Dean Karnazes.

Dotcomdolly

I am currently reading ChiRunning by Danny Dryer and loving it.
Also read
50/50 by Dean Karnazes

RacoonQueen

BrendanCro wrote: »

Why We Run: A Natural History by Bernd Heinrich is a kind of precusor to born to run - basically Heinrich back in 1981 tries to learn from nature how to become a better ultrarunner - slighlty science heavy but some interesting evelotionary discussions.

This is a brilliant book aswell. I find all this stuff fascinating and love throwing all these evolutionary and physiological facts at people when they come up with crap about how 'unnatural' long distance running is. I couldn't recommend this, born to run and survival of the fittest highly enough. Especially if you're a science geek.

I really need to start reading again. Have had books here for over a year I haven't gotten round to yet.

tHE vAGGABOND

Absolutely loved Born to Run!


Im doing a Chi Running course at the end of the month, must give that Danny Dryer book a read

LionelNashe

tHE vAGGABOND wrote: »

Absolutely loved Born to Run!


Im doing a Chi Running course at the end of the month, must give that Danny Dryer book a read

The Cathriona McKiernan workshop? I did it last month and found it quite good. I think I will go for the book as well.

ThePiedPiper

Haruki Murakami wrote a very nice book called "What I talk about when I talk about running". I read it there about a year ago and found it very enjoyable. He's a Japanese author and a committed but not really talented runner, probably like 95% of us here. It is sort of auto-biographical in it's style but very enjoyable.

More serious books I've read would be Running with Lydiard by Arthur Lydiard, a very well-respected coach of Olympic champion middle distance running.

I've also lifted Noakes Lore of Running on occasions but it really is like a bible. I tend to find it more like studying than reading for enjoyment such is the level of detail.

Dotcomdolly

LionelNashe wrote: »

The Cathriona McKiernan workshop? I did it last month and found it quite good. I think I will go for the book as well.

I did it too, on the 25th March, were we at the same one?
I am loving the book, but I'd save it till after you'd done the course Vaggabond. Otherwise you might be trying to implement it before you've been taught it physically ifykwim.

tHE vAGGABOND

That sounds like good advice Dotcomdolly, I will do that - thanks

pistol_75

tHE vAGGABOND wrote: »

That sounds like good advice Dotcomdolly, I will do that - thanks

Definitly recommend that. Did the course in January myself and found it a great help. Making my way through the book now and everything is so relevant after having done the course. Would be a bit theory intensive having not done the course.

TFBubendorfer

Dotcomdolly wrote: »

I am currently reading ChiRunning by Danny Dryer and loving it.
Also read
50/50 by Dean Karnazes

That's funny, I'm the complete opposite, I hated both books. (That's not dissing Cathriona McKiernan, btw. I know at least one person who disliked the book and loved the course).

Why We Run: A Natural History by Bernd Heinrich was absolutely brilliant, though.

Woddle

RunForestRun wrote: »

Haruki Murakami wrote a very nice book called "What I talk about when I talk about running". l.

I hated this book and must admit to not finishing it because I hated it so much, boring boring boring.
Somebody already mentioned survival of the fittest, super read, evolution, science and adventure racing all mixed together.

Ecoenergy

tHE vAGGABOND wrote: »

Absolutely loved Born to Run!


Im doing a Chi Running course at the end of the month, must give that Danny Dryer book a read

I'm doing this course at the end of the month in Bantry. Is this the one you're signed up for?? I've just started the book and am looking forward to some practical training.

Reaganomical

Running with the Buffaloes.

http://www.amazon.com/Running-Buffaloes-University-Colorado-Cross-Country/dp/1585743283

BrendanCro

The Perfect Distance - Ovett and Coe: The Record-Breaking Rivalry by Pat Butcher

is a very interesting story but not very well written imho. Drags a bit and meanders a bit too much (and I am not fussy about writing style etc normally at all)

too much trifle

read 'feet in the clouds' a couple of years ago,
great read, about a guy from London who gets hooked on fell running,
gives a great history of fell running around northern England and his own challenges in taking it up.
totally recommend:)

Slogger Jogger

too much trifle wrote: »

read 'feet in the clouds' a couple of years ago,
great read, about a guy from London who gets hooked on fell running,
gives a great history of fell running around northern England and his own challenges in taking it up.
totally recommend:)

The book or fell (hill) running? Both are very good.

LionelNashe

Dotcomdolly wrote: »

I did it too, on the 25th March, were we at the same one?

Yep, March 25th. If you jog in Walkinstown then I know who you are. I was the lanky bloke with the smig who looks like the blue guy in my avatar. Did you get some benefits from the course? I have had 4 good runs since so I think it has helped me - I am waiting on the Dreyer book from bookdepository.com to just refresh some stuff and make sure I have it right.

fiddy3

Once a Runner is the best piece of writing ever written about running. Nothing comes close to how accurately it describes the sport. Hobbyjogger types may be offended by it though.:rolleyes:

TFBubendorfer

fiddy3 wrote: »

Once a Runner is the best piece of writing ever written about running. Nothing comes close to how accurately it describes the sport. Hobbyjogger types may be offended by it though.:rolleyes:

Well ... the one liners are great and as an inspiration during a tough workout it's good as well but as a story it's, er, not so great

TheWarrior

fiddy3 wrote: »

Once a Runner is the best piece of writing ever written about running. Nothing comes close to how accurately it describes the sport. Hobbyjogger types may be offended by it though.:rolleyes:

Really Enjoyed Once a runner.
Read the sequel recently "Again to Carthage" which is about Cassidy attempting to make the Olympic marathon.
Very good until the latter stages whereby it gets way too sentimental & cheesy.

Econoline Van

The book by Ian O'Riordan of the Irish Times, Miles to Run, Promises to Keep, is well worth picking up. It's a PERFECT toilet book as well due to its format.

PaulieC

Econoline Van wrote: »

It's a PERFECT toilet book as well due to its format.

sounds like it's made of toilet paper

I loved Born to Run, read it twice in the space of a month. I love the author frames it as an adventure, rather than a dry, documentary look at native running. Must look up some others mentioned also

Dotcomdolly

LionelNashe wrote: »

Yep, March 25th. If you jog in Walkinstown then I know who you are. I was the lanky bloke with the smig who looks like the blue guy in my avatar. Did you get some benefits from the course? I have had 4 good runs since so I think it has helped me - I am waiting on the Dreyer book from bookdepository.com to just refresh some stuff and make sure I have it right.

Yes I'm the Walkinstown-er . I loved the course but have only tried one run since, my ankle /calf injury are hurting again - will try again on Thursday though when the pain has eased.

Cabaal

Really loved born to run, really should give barefoot running a shot

Econoline Van

cambo_gueno wrote: »

sounds like it's made of toilet paper

If you were stuck it could be used in an emergency, I suppose....