I like to read. I find it a great way to learn more about my hobbies, as well as to satisfy my thirst for things related to them.
Since running is one of my major pastimes, it’s one of the topics I often find myself reading about. Some of these running books deal with training and science, while others simply tell an inspirational story.
If you want a quick run down of all the books that I’ve read and enjoyed, check out this list of the best books about running.
Otherwise, simply keep scrolling below for a collection of more in depth reviews and reflections that I’ve written about some of those books.
Feature Photo by Quino Al on Unsplash If you were to ask which marathon training plan is the most popular, I’d probably say Hal Higdon. He is frequently recommended on r/Running and r/Marathon_Training to new runners, and when you look at the Google Search data people look for information on him much more frequently than … Read more
I don’t remember how I came across , but it piqued my interest right away. Despite the fact that women make up an increasingly large share of marathon runners – in some cases making up a clear majority in the younger age groups – the world of marathon training still tends to be male dominated. … Read more
Lately, I’ve been working on an analysis of the demographic shifts among marathon finishers – why the sport has been historically male dominated and how it has been shifting towards gender parity. And so when I saw something about , it piqued my interest. I’m familiar with some of the history of women’s running and … Read more
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced runner, here are the best books on marathon training that you should have on your bookshelf. When I first started running, I didn’t know what I was doing. I had spent some time running in high school, but otherwise I’d had no coaching and I hadn’t read up … Read more
In serious running circles, I’m not sure if there’s anything more divisive and derided than Philip Maffetone’s The Maffetone Method. Some people seem to be true disciples of his philosophy, and many others seem to think it is nothing but pure quackery. After seeing many posters come to r/AdvancedRunning to ask questions about Maffetone’s MAF … Read more
I’ve been in a bit of a reading rut, lately. I just couldn’t seem to stay focused for more than a few pages at a time. That is, until I picked up a copy of Running with the Kenyans by Adharanand Finn. Running with the Kenyans is written by Adharanand Finn, a journalist who also … Read more
Whether you’re looking to learn how to train better, to understand the science behind exercise, or simply to be inspired, there are a ton of great books about running that you should check out. On this page, I’m going to collect a list of all the books about running that I’ve read. I’ll share a … Read more
Out of Thin Air, by Michael Crawley, is an excellent book about running. It’s not a book that focuses on training per se, but there are nuggets of running wisdom interspersed through its engaging storytelling. Lately, I’ve been on a reading kick and a lot of the books I’m reading have been about running. Some … Read more
I just finished reading Good to Go by Christie Aschwanden, and it was was excellent. Good to Go: What the Athlete in All of Us Can Learn from the Strange Science of Recovery is an exploration – and critique – of the booming market for recovery products. She starts by setting the stage with an … Read more
If you’re like me, you need to understand why you do things and how they work. And if that’s the case, you need to read The Science of Running by Steve Magness. He makes clear up front that this isn’t a book for beginners. His target audience is clearly competitive athletes and coaches who are … Read more