406 replies to this topic

[tonedbutt]

I enjoyed "One Step Beyond" by Chris Moon.  It is a bit harrowing in parts but a triumphant tale.

[adr1an]

I'm part way into Ryan Hall's 'Running with Joy' and I'm not sure if I can stick it out. Very, very Christian. I knew he was pretty Christian but didn't realize it was going to be that full on

[Perseus]

Sometimes I think Hall preaches too much. Devotes a lot of time to charity though.

I'm looking for Brendan Foster's autobiography. I've checked public libraries (via Trove) to no avail.

[StillGettinThere]

johnson748r, on 11 April 2012 - 01:03 PM, said:

Like StillGettingThere, just finished Pole to Pole. What a Herculean effort! I was exhausted just reading about it. And I couldn't believe he didn't even have a shoe sponsor (or any regular massage). Has to be one of the most awe inspiring efforts I've ever read about.

Absolutely awesome effort and what a read. Couldn't leave it 'till I'd finished.
I see Pat is the patron or saint or something to a run down in the southern parts of Australia ( Dubbo is it?).
I am almost contemplating the journey just to see and hear his words of wisdom.
Well worth the price of the book.

[adr1an]

Perseus, on 19 April 2012 - 09:36 PM, said:

Sometimes I think Hall preaches too much. Devotes a lot of time to charity though.

Just makes for a difficult read if you're not 'into it' the way the he is. If you are then maybe its awesome.

[robborod]

Just saw this on my twitter feed: http://www.amazon.co...LE?tag=sguru-20  Haven't read it yet, but it is free at the moment.

[adr1an]

AussieAussieAussie, on 10 April 2012 - 05:14 PM, said:

Running with the Kenyans  - Adharand Finn
Published 2012

Its about an 'average' English runner who takes off to live in Kenya for 6 months to see if he can find the secret to their running success. Its a pretty good read, sadly there is no huge surprise of a magical secret but some great insight into the Kenyan culture and the importance they place on running.

Highly recomended.

Am enjoying this right now and would definitely recommend. How awesome would it be to get to Kenya to train for six months!

I love the image of these group runs of 60 to 200 people flying around the dirt roads as the sun comes up in Iten.

Edited by adr1an, 28 April 2012 - 02:04 PM.

[run2work]

StillGettinThere, on 19 April 2012 - 10:09 PM, said:

I see Pat is the patron or saint or something to a run down in the southern parts of Australia ( Dubbo is it?).
I am almost contemplating the journey just to see and hear his words of wisdom.
Well worth the price of the book.

http://www.dubbostampede.com.au/   Would love to see you here StillGettinThere.

rtw

[StillGettinThere]

run2work, on 28 April 2012 - 05:36 PM, said:

StillGettinThere, on 19 April 2012 - 10:09 PM, said:

I see Pat is the patron or saint or something to a run down in the southern parts of Australia ( Dubbo is it?).
I am almost contemplating the journey just to see and hear his words of wisdom.
Well worth the price of the book.

http://www.dubbostampede.com.au/   Would love to see you here StillGettinThere.

rtw

Hell man, you sweet talker. I'm tempted but.......
You'll have to turn on lots of charm and whisper sweet nothings in my ear because Bridge2Bris is same day (done a few of them on the trot I have I have)
Maybe the zoo has a spare tiger for my tank?

[Jimmy4990]

Chris "Macca" McCorrmack, I am Here to Win

One very serious athlete, after reading this book I rate him as one of the best modern day male athletes. Up there with Armstrong, Thorpe & Geb.

Lots of info that age group & recreational athletes can use to improve performance. Macca claims he has been injury free for the last decade or so. Amazing considering the volumes he must get through. He "preaches" the holistic approach to sport which is something I really liked.

[amandasessions]

I have just read an incredible political thriller ebook. I was browsing around at
amazon.com and found this ebook called The Cain Sanction, I read the preview and a
few chapters. It really was a page turner can’t put it down kind of book.
I didn’t know how it ends until the last sentence of the last page.. great read!!
Usually I don't read this genre but someone recommended it and WOW, loved it..

Amanda

[bh1234]

steviecat, on 07 August 2008 - 11:51 AM, said:

Recently read the new Dean Karnazes book '50 Marathons in 50 days' which is due out soon. First running related book I've ever read and I'd never heard of the guy before given I have only just developed an interest in running. I was pretty gobsmacked that some people could actually do what he did, although at the end I had to seriously question his sanity, seriously! (no offence intended to ultra runners   )

Cheers

Steviecat

its a really good book

[embar]

just read Eat&Run which is the life story of Scott Jurek ( interspersed with vegan recipes). bit of an odd arrangement- you read about some moving life tragedy then the  next paragraph is the ingredients for a bean dish!
also a bit of a reality check: being an enthusiastic newer runner i unrealistically had the sunconscious idea that if only i could run far enough and get in the "zone" life would be all roses(crazy thoughts!)- but no, unhappiness happens to even the ultrarunning champion of the world!

Secod book i just got for my bday is an original of 1988 book "the marathon monks of mount hiei" the amazing guys who run 52 miles every day.  Pretty impressed my nonrunner husband knew exactly which book to get -especially 2wks out from gold coast!

[fhorn]

Was sent 'Chasing Lost Times' from a relative in the UK.:

"Chasing Lost Times is the emotional story of a father and son trying to repair a relationship through a shared activity (runnning ....my insert) that depends on sheer physical effort, the kind of physical effort that may once have been the source of commonality between father and son in all previous generations but which seems to be absent in the modern world."

The idea is great but the guy is just so deeply unlikable (was the resident psychologist on UK Big Brother...which maybe speaks volumes), however it is also weirdly compulsive. Has anyone else read it?

Edited by fhorn, 16 June 2012 - 05:06 PM.

[adr1an]

Have recently read the Arthur Lydiard biography by Garth Gilmour which was pretty good. Lots of nice anecdotes about the great man. Also read 'Deek' which is pretty inspirational. Recommend both.

Have read 'Tread Lightly' by Pete Larson of runblogger fame. Found it a bit boring.

Am currently reading 'Running the edge' by Adam Goucher and Tim Catalano which is more self help than running. But I'm enjoying it thus far.

[Rico]

MrUniqueName, on 16 September 2011 - 07:13 AM, said:

By far the best running book I've read recently is The Perfect Mile. In fact, not only one of the best running books, one of the best books fullstop. It's been a while since I haven't been able to put a book down!

I've just finished this and it was fantastic.  Very readable and interesting history.  I can't believe how hardcore Bannister and Landy were given that running was just a hobby for them.

[skarabrae]

Re Julia Thorn's Passion for Distance - I'm loving this book! It really is all about the running, and well-written. I've just finished Pole to Pole, which made me wish for less about Pat Farmer's family and motivations etc and more about the actual runs and how his body was coping etc. Whereas Julia's book actually makes me want a bit more info about her family, how she manages to spend so much time competing in distant places, and indeed how she manages to finance it! Thanks for a great read Julia, I really can't put it down.

[Delirious]

I'm almost through

The First 20 Minutes: Surprising Science Reveals How We Can: Exercise Better, Train Smarter, Live Longer

by Gretchen Reynolds - a writer for the New York Times, published earlier this year.

It's quite a comprehensive review of scientific literature as relates to exercise in general and often focuses on running. It's written in an entertaining fashion and in a style that reminds me of Jim Fixx.

[slowmo]

Rico, on 11 July 2012 - 08:39 PM, said:

MrUniqueName, on 16 September 2011 - 07:13 AM, said:

By far the best running book I've read recently is The Perfect Mile.

I've just finished this and it was fantastic.  Very readable and interesting history.  I can't believe how hardcore Bannister and Landy were given that running was just a hobby for them.

I was fascinated by how Bannister was consumed by his quest for the four minute mile, yet always viewed competitive running as a passing phase and less important than his career in medicine. While he comes across in the book as intense and idiosyncratic (much more so than Brasher and Chataway) his attitude to doing "one thing supremely well" and then leaving it to get on with the rest of his life impressed me enormously.

slowmo

[haggis basher]

Hi All
I don't know if I mentioned it before, that I wrote an Autobiography about my 15years in the RAF, being an International runner and becoming an "alcoholic' and how I recovered. It is only for the broad-minded to read!.
It is on Amazon/Kindle Ebooks. It is called 'Running off the Tracks' by Brian Hodgson.
See Ya
Brian Hodgson

Edited by haggis basher, 20 July 2012 - 12:33 PM.

[adr1an]

Nice one Brian. Added to the list!

[Pom]

embar, on 16 June 2012 - 06:58 AM, said:

just read Eat&Run which is the life story of Scott Jurek ( interspersed with vegan recipes). bit of an odd arrangement- you read about some moving life tragedy then the  next paragraph is the ingredients for a bean dish!
also a bit of a reality check: being an enthusiastic newer runner i unrealistically had the sunconscious idea that if only i could run far enough and get in the "zone" life would be all roses(crazy thoughts!)- but no, unhappiness happens to even the ultrarunning champion of the world!

Secod book i just got for my bday is an original of 1988 book "the marathon monks of mount hiei" the amazing guys who run 52 miles every day.  Pretty impressed my nonrunner husband knew exactly which book to get -especially 2wks out from gold coast!

Just discovered I've won a copy of Eat & Run.  Can't remember the last time I won anything!  Looking forward to reading it, after a taste of Scott Jurek in Born to Run

[CharlieB]

I won a copy of Eat & Run too....great read, even if not a vegan. Good to know even the elites enjoy the simple things about running like hanging out with mates on the trails

[tonedbutt]

haggis basher, on 20 July 2012 - 12:32 PM, said:

Hi All
I don't know if I mentioned it before, that I wrote an Autobiography about my 15years in the RAF, being an International runner and becoming an "alcoholic' and how I recovered. It is only for the broad-minded to read!.
It is on Amazon/Kindle Ebooks. It is called 'Running off the Tracks' by Brian Hodgson.
See Ya
Brian Hodgson

Sounds like a good read.

[iRonnie]

adr1an, on 19 April 2012 - 09:23 PM, said:

I'm part way into Ryan Hall's 'Running with Joy' and I'm not sure if I can stick it out. Very, very Christian. I knew he was pretty Christian but didn't realize it was going to be that full on

Good read.  I like Ryan Hall.  More Christians like him would make them more tolerable.  Sooner a marathoning Christian than a Bible- bashing tosser.

[Rico]

slowmo, on 18 July 2012 - 02:42 PM, said:

I was fascinated by how Bannister was consumed by his quest for the four minute mile, yet always viewed competitive running as a passing phase and less important than his career in medicine. While he comes across in the book as intense and idiosyncratic (much more so than Brasher and Chataway) his attitude to doing "one thing supremely well" and then leaving it to get on with the rest of his life impressed me enormously.

slowmo

What stood out for me was how both he and Landy assumed that running - even at the most elite level imaginable - was something you did in your spare time while working and/or studying, and then once you reached a certain age (eg 21) you put that aside and got on with your real life.

[adr1an]

iRonnie, on 26 July 2012 - 06:04 PM, said:

adr1an, on 19 April 2012 - 09:23 PM, said:

I'm part way into Ryan Hall's 'Running with Joy' and I'm not sure if I can stick it out. Very, very Christian. I knew he was pretty Christian but didn't realize it was going to be that full on

Good read.  I like Ryan Hall.  More Christians like him would make them more tolerable.  Sooner a marathoning Christian than a Bible- bashing tosser.

Haha. True. Once I got past the Jesus stuff I enjoyed it. Not too keen on his 'faith' based coaching, guess we'll soon see how it's worked out.

[adventurelete]

CharlieB, on 24 July 2012 - 10:47 AM, said:

I won a copy of Eat & Run too....great read, even if not a vegan. Good to know even the elites enjoy the simple things about running like hanging out with mates on the trails

Pom, on 23 July 2012 - 03:23 PM, said:

embar, on 16 June 2012 - 06:58 AM, said:

just read Eat&Run which is the life story of Scott Jurek ( interspersed with vegan recipes). bit of an odd arrangement- you read about some moving life tragedy then the  next paragraph is the ingredients for a bean dish!
also a bit of a reality check: being an enthusiastic newer runner i unrealistically had the sunconscious idea that if only i could run far enough and get in the "zone" life would be all roses(crazy thoughts!)- but no, unhappiness happens to even the ultrarunning champion of the world!

Secod book i just got for my bday is an original of 1988 book "the marathon monks of mount hiei" the amazing guys who run 52 miles every day.  Pretty impressed my nonrunner husband knew exactly which book to get -especially 2wks out from gold coast!

Just discovered I've won a copy of Eat & Run.  Can't remember the last time I won anything!  Looking forward to reading it, after a taste of Scott Jurek in Born to Run

Ha I just won this book as well.

[KatieR]

maryclaire, on 08 August 2008 - 06:18 PM, said:

Bellthorpe, on Aug 8 2008, 05:30 PM, said:

My least favourite is "Running Within". A touchy-feely metaphysical kind of book that leaves me completely cold. I'll give it away to the first person who PMs me asking for it.

I agree - I ordered this from Amazon as the blurb looked really good (I think I was going through a phase of seeking the spiritual side of running) - but I couldn't even get past the first chapter.  I now can't even remember anything from it - I think I've subconsciously wiped it from my brain.

I have enjoyed reading 'Running Within' over many years. I have borrowed it multiple times from my local library and at the time written down quotes from it in my diary.
This year I have purchased it and am enjoying time alone in the car while waiting for a son to finish work reading through it. I am enjoying it as much as I always have and am happy with my purchase.

[AndrewC]

Ah well...seeing as someone else has mentioned his own book, here comes another.  It's on its own CR thread (here) - a short book/e-book best described as a parody of the 'zen and the art of......genre' that doesn't quite succeed in not taking itself seriously.  And for those looking for something more along the lines of a travelogue, there are chapters on Marathon des Sables and The TRACK Outback Ultramarathon.

[MrUniqueName]

CharlieB, on 24 July 2012 - 10:47 AM, said:

I won a copy of Eat & Run too....great read, even if not a vegan. Good to know even the elites enjoy the simple things about running like hanging out with mates on the trails

I just finished this last night, and I have to say that I was a bit disappointed. I was REALLY looking forward to reading this, given Jurek's amazing achievements, however it started to feel a bit like a series of race reports after a while. It certainly didn't grab me like Ultramarathon Man. But then again, I might be suffering from ultrarunning-book-fatigue? (Ultramarathon Man was the first running book I ever read, and I've read loads since).

Overall, I enjoyed it and I definitely have no regrets reading it, however I just felt that I would have liked to have known a bit more about Jurek The Man, and not just Jurek The Runner.

[Pom]

MrUniqueName, on 27 August 2012 - 10:43 AM, said:

I just finished this last night, and I have to say that I was a bit disappointed. I was REALLY looking forward to reading this, given Jurek's amazing achievements, however it started to feel a bit like a series of race reports after a while.

I feel the same about the book. I really did enjoy reading it, but I felt towards the end that it was, as you put it, a series of race reports: Got to river crossing at this time, caught up with this runner, had a sore foot etc...

...and then I ate some lentils.

Can't really put my finger on what I feel was missing, but it just felt rather flat sometimes.

[M0606]

This has probably been mentioned already, however, Running Techniques by Brian Martin


If you have had a lot of injuries that never seem to get better, it might be worth reading.

It certainly help me, and I am enjoying my running more than ever.

[eoin]

I was on holiday recently and got through Eat & Run in two days and Finding Ultra in the next couple of days. Both excellent reads. Scott is a runner at heart and it really shows. Rich was an alcoholic and had a "moment of clarity" in his late 30s and decided to do an Ultraman! Both great reads.
Earlier in the year I read Run Fast by Higdon and couldn't finish it cause it was sooo boring!!

[nessa]

"Passion for distance - the story of my 100 marathons" by Julia Thorn is a good read.
I loved that it's australian, and it has great descriptions of the races all around the world to put on your bucket list! (Triol speed marathon in Innsbruck austria is number one on my list thus far!)

Oh and I agree - perfect mile a great read too!

Edited by nessa, 02 September 2012 - 07:27 PM.

[crowpower]

A rather unusual book "What Doesn't Kill You" by Peter Herbert, is worthwhile reading if you can find it. It was published in 2010, but I bought it only a few weeks ago at Dymocks in Adelaide. Peter Herbert played cricket for South Australia and has run several marathons.

The book focuses on teams and individuals who should have achieved the highest honour in their sport but didn't because of circumstances beyond their control. Many athletes feature: Ron Clarke, Kerry O'Brien, Derek Clayton, John Farrington, Raelene Boyle and Jane Saville. Individuals in other sports are Greg Norman, Glen Housman and Kim Hughes. Teams are the Australian World Cup Football team (ie soccer), the Australian Cricket team and Collingwood(!).

Herbert has done a fairly good job with the athletes, Housman and Norman. The chapter on Collingwood is fairly laborious and Herbert quite absurdly blames the doorman at the Collingwood changing rooms in the 1970 VFL grand final for the "Collywobbles" which were to haunt them for the next 20 years. The doorman allowed many spectators into the Collingwood rooms at half time - probably the done thing back then. If you look at a video of the match, Collingwood didn't lose it, Carlton won it, coming back from 43 points down. If Peter McKenna had been able to hold a difficult mark in the last minute of the game Collingwood may well have won it.

The chapter on Kim Hughes in extremely laborious and could have been half the length. Basically remembered as a nice guy, he had been handed the test captaincy without ever having captained at first class level before and ended up resigning in tears in the mid 1980s.

Back to athletics, if you're a fan of Percy Cerutty don't read the book, because you won't be afterwards.

The only chapter I haven't read is the one on soccer.

Edited by crowpower, 04 September 2012 - 07:14 AM.

[cameron]

Just read "born to run"... finished it, but was hard work.. I found most of the statements and "facts" in the book were full of logical fallacies. He did a lot of mental gymnastics trying to fit facts into the message of the book. I got the impression that he "cherry picked" snipets of information from various sources, and that often what was presented may have been out of context or at least not showing the whole picture.

It was disjointed and I found it hard to follow the thread of the book.

I was disappointed by the book... I am really open to bare foot running and am interested in learning more about the science behind it. I don't think that the book went anywhere close to convincing me that its the right thing to do. I get the impression that this book is meant to be the holy grail of barefoot running folks, but I just did not see it. Maybe that's just me.

Interesting that I found this articlemuch more convincing that the book.

[langswm]

Half way through the new Tyler Hamilton book, The Secret Race. Wow, what an eye-opener. A real un-put-downable, page turner!

Very interesting "slant" on the whole rationale for doping etc. He doesnt leave anything out and certainly is not looking for excuses for his own actions.

[adr1an]

Just devoured 'running for the hansons' by sage canaday. Awesome book about being a pro runner in the states. Well, I enjoyed it anyway.

[HellyG]

I recently read Born to Run by Christopher McDougall who sets out to discover the secrets of the Tarahumara indians and how they have the ability to run hundreds of miles without rest or injury through the Copper Canyon in Mexico.  Different and worth the read!

[wj04]

Hi Readers

Keeping it all in focus, I would definitely recommend Brian Martin's e-book; Running Technique and Jack Daniels Running Formula; 2nd Edition, also available as an app for your device, iTunes.

Then for the track; The First Four Minutes; Roger Bannister was also well written if not by an Englishman. Also available on iTunes.

Eat & Run; Scott Jeurek was also informative and very much like Dean Karzanes; The Ultramarathon Man.

Don't we all have time to log those kind of miles instead of reading books in the comfort of home.

Best bet, just head of to Amazon, who have a extensive list of running books.

Enjoy
wj

[Rico]

I've just read Tyler Hamilton's book too.  Gave me lots of good tips I'll be incorporating into my 2013 6ft Track efffort.

[Zed]

"The Memory of Running" by Ron McLarty.

[Eagle]

Zed, on 04 October 2012 - 09:57 AM, said:

"The Memory of Running" by Ron McLarty.

I haven't come accross this one. Brief summary ?

[Supersam1979]

Tea with Mr Newton. About the life and times of Arthur Newton along with his training and nutritional advice. But also glimpses of his mental state and how he prepared mentally for these long runs.

I believe it is out of print, but I am always fascinated by what worked for the early long distance folks and since so little ( that I could find) remains of the pedestrians thinking , since Newton learned from George who learned from them, I would say his ways are the closest I have seen.

Fascinating read - very rare.

[HillsAths1]

Read Born to Run a few months ago, good read, but am I the only one who thought the ending was a little abrupt?

Last book finished was Pat Farmers Pole to Pole, enjoyable read, done in the style of a diary with insights how he coped with the various hazzards and hurdles in doing a 22,000km run.

I have now started on the Percy Cerutty Bio Why Die. I am finding it hard to get into, but I am sure after I get through all of the not so fascinating facts about his Migraines that it will become a more interesting read (at least I hope so).

[pjay]

Eagle, on 04 October 2012 - 10:40 AM, said:

Zed, on 04 October 2012 - 09:57 AM, said:

"The Memory of Running" by Ron McLarty.

I haven't come accross this one. Brief summary ?

I read this one about two weeks ago.  Tells the tale of a rotund American male who travels, circa the 1990's, on a pushbike from New York to California in the process reminiscing over past events culminating in his present rotundity.  Shades of Catcher In The Rye.

[adr1an]

HillsAths1, on 04 October 2012 - 05:06 PM, said:

Read Born to Run a few months ago, good read, but am I the only one who thought the ending was a little abrupt?

Last book finished was Pat Farmers Pole to Pole, enjoyable read, done in the style of a diary with insights how he coped with the various hazzards and hurdles in doing a 22,000km run.

I have now started on the Percy Cerutty Bio Why Die. I am finding it hard to get into, but I am sure after I get through all of the not so fascinating facts about his Migraines that it will become a more interesting read (at least I hope so).

Where'd you pick up 'Why Die' from? Its $120 on amazon!

Edited by adr1an, 04 October 2012 - 05:58 PM.

[Zed]

Eagle, on 04 October 2012 - 10:40 AM, said:

Zed, on 04 October 2012 - 09:57 AM, said:

"The Memory of Running" by Ron McLarty.

I haven't come accross this one. Brief summary ?

Perhaps the title is a little misleading because it's more about a journey of discovery on a bicycle, but a brilliant book, in my opinion.

[HillsAths1]

adr1an, on 04 October 2012 - 05:58 PM, said:

HillsAths1, on 04 October 2012 - 05:06 PM, said:

Read Born to Run a few months ago, good read, but am I the only one who thought the ending was a little abrupt?

Last book finished was Pat Farmers Pole to Pole, enjoyable read, done in the style of a diary with insights how he coped with the various hazzards and hurdles in doing a 22,000km run.

I have now started on the Percy Cerutty Bio Why Die. I am finding it hard to get into, but I am sure after I get through all of the not so fascinating facts about his Migraines that it will become a more interesting read (at least I hope so).

Where'd you pick up 'Why Die' from? Its $120 on amazon!

You have got to be joking, I got it for $2 at a local OP shop, I am feeling pretty good right now, cheers.