Over the span of my running career I’ve gone from devouring every publication of Runner’s World to reading all the best running books. More are released each year, which means my fun never ends and I’ve updated this list again for 2023.
We know that the overall concept of a good training cycle is simple, but that doesn’t mean easy and it doesn’t mean there aren’t a lot of little pieces we need to know too!
And let’s be honest we love the details! Finding the right running book not only improves the way you train, but often your mindset.
It’s almost impossible to narrow down my favorites, but I have continuously updated this list over the years with new things and what I still find valuable in the long run. So let’s dive in to my list of the best running books and see which one’s you love too.
✅Want printable running book checklist?? I’ve made one up for you here, so that you can keep track of what you need to read from the list!
Top 50 Running Books
While I’m thrilled to be part of the community and offering thousands of running articles to help you through every moment of training, sometimes you need more.
You need to quickly reference it.
You need a beautiful story or just the right words to help you look at the situation differently.
That’s why I’ve cultivated a list of the best books for runners. I’ve also broken them out in to categories of run books:
- motivational running books from elites to everyday athletes
- running books with training plans
- books for training your mind
- training books for your body (ie. injury prevention, form, rehab)
- running novels to let you escape reality and still get pumped up
Following are some of my must reads for any runner from those just beginning to those who’ve been pounding out the miles for many years!
Since putting this post together in 2014, I’ve come across so many new books that I love, which means it has been updated consistently every single year because I read hundreds of books!
While it was painful to eliminate anything from the first list, I did it just for you! So this is my newly updated list of must read running books.
Best Motivational Running Books
Following are true stories or biographies of runners that will inspire you to push your own limits.
Yes many are tales of doing things we may never dare like running across the country or even 200 miles, but it’s the moments they go through that make you believe you can do more.
As runners, we all go through many transitions– transitions that closely mimic the larger changes we experience in a lifetime. First, we try to run faster. Then we try to run harder. Then we learn to accept ourselves and our limitations, and at last, we can appreciate the true joy and meaning of running.
Amby Burfoot
Many of these make fabulous audiobooks because you’ll get sucked in to the runner’s story and it will help you get in a few more miles on that long run!
#1 Books about Overcoming Obstacles from High Performers
- Running with the Buffaloes: A Season Inside with Mark Wetmore, Adam Goucher, and the University of Colorado Men’s Cross-Country Team by Chris Lear
- Finding Ultra by Rich Roll
- The Long Run: A New York City Firefighter’s Triumphant Comeback from Crash Victim to Elite Athlete by Matt Long
- Eat & Run: My Unlikely Journey to Ultramarathon Greatness by Scott Jurek
— Have to note that his new book North is also a fabulous read. - Ultramarathon Man: Confessions of an all night runner by Dean Karnazes
(my favorite of his books) - A life without limits by Chrissie Wellington
{read review} - Choosing to Run: A Memoir by Des Linden
- Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand
- Dual in the Sun: Alberto Salazar, Dick Beardsley, and America’s Greatest Marathon by John Brant
- Age is Just a Number by Dara Torres (ok she’s not a runner, but you’ll thank me)
- How She Did It by Molly Huddle (a compilation of incredible female runners through history)
- Running to the Edge by Matthew Futterman
Yes, there are a couple of notable books missing from this best of list and that’s because after reading them I just thought these were all better.
#2 True Stories for a Mental Boost
Again these are all still true stories told in beautiful ways…maybe just with a bigger focus on the story and the feel good versus the obstacle and achievement we see with elite runners.
- Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen by Christopher McDougall
- My Life on the Run by Bart Yasso
- The Runner’s Guide to the Meaning of Life by Amby Burfoot
- What I Talk About When I Talk About Running by Haruki Murakami
- Running on Empty: An Ultramarathoner’s Story of Love, Loss and a Record-Setting Run Across America by Marshall Ulrich
{read review} - Let Your Mind Run: A Memoir of Thinking My Way to Victory by Deena Kastor
- Running with the Kenyans by Adharanand Finn
{read review} - Running Outside the Comfort Zone by Susan Lacke
(hilarious and will remind you to have fun!!) - Going Long: Legends, Oddballs, Comebacks & Adventures by the Editors of Runners World
- A Beautiful Work in Progress by Mirna Valerio
- Run to Overcome by Meb Keflezighi
- Out of Thin Air by Michael Crawley
- A Race Like No Other:26.2 miles through the streets of New York by Liz Robbins
- The Pants Of Perspective: One Woman’s 3,000 kilometer running adventure through the wilds of New Zealand by Anna McNuff
#3 Running Books With Animals
I mean how are these not going to make you happy. The combo of running and a furry four legged friend is a winner.
- Finding Gobi by Dion Leonard
(for all of you dog lovers!) - Running with Sherman by Christopher McDougall
(now we all want a donkey)
- Depression Hates a Moving Target by Nita Sweety
As noted, I have read HUNDREDS of running books and this list has changed many times over the years as new books come out.
Yet some of the best running books are timeless to me and have remained on this list long after others have come out. Of course this is personal opinion, but it gives you some ideas to get your own reading going!
#4 Best Running Novels That Inspire
All right so the people in these stories may not be real, but the authors have certainly tapped in to the mindset of an athlete!
You’ll find yourself nodding frequently thinking “yes that’s me!” And while this group is small, they’re great!
- The Running Dream by Wendelin Van Draanen
- Once a Runner by John L. Parker JR.
- HOHA’s In Love: The Lessons of Running Reveal the Secrets of Love by Laurence Graham
- The Slummer by Geoffrey Simpson
#5 Best Running Training Guides
A training book may not sound like something you want to curl up on the weekend to read, but trust me these are all well worth it for any runner.
Most share hilarious stories {real runner mistakes} and have plenty of motivational stories.
When I first started running, I was so embarrassed I’d walk when cars passed me. I’d pretend I was looking at the flowers!-Joan Benoit Samuelson
Running Books for Training Plans
Whatever training you’re looking to do has a book! From eh hem the one I so clearly mentioned above to each of these based on the intensity or specific training you’re looking to do.
- Train Like a Mother: How to get across any finish line – and not lose your family, job or sanity by Sarah Bowen Shea and Dimity McDowell
- Brain Training for Runners: A Revolutionary New Training System to Improve Endurance, Speed, Health and Results by Matt Fitzgerald
- Big Book of Endurance Training by Phil Maffetone
{read review} - 80/20 by Matt Fitzgerald (finally understanding easy runs)
- Fast 5K: 25 Crucial Keys and 4 Training Plans by Pete Magill (great for all levels)
#6 Running Books to Understand Your Body
Tired of getting injured? Feel like your body is changing with age? Or wondering what needs to change as a female runner? Time to read up!
- Running Like a Pro by Matt Fitzgerald
- Running on Air: Run Better by Breathing Smarter by Budd Coates
- Endure: Mind, Body, and the Curiously Elastic Limits of Human Performance by Alex Hutchinson
- Up to Speed by Christine Yu
- Running Rewired by Jay Dicharry
(tons of pictures to show you exact moves to fix things) - Older, Faster, Stronger by Margaret Web
- ROAR by Dr Stacey Simms
#7 Books to Train Your Mind
We know running involves a lot of mental trickery, so why not brush up on your skills! If you can get your mind right then your next PR or new distance is just around the corner.
- Elite Minds: Creating the Competitive Advantage by Dr. Stan Beecham
{read review} - The Divided Mind: An epidemic of Mind Body Disorders by Dr. John Sarno
{read review} - How Bad Do You Want it by Matt Fitzgerald
(greatly preferred over Comeback Quotient) - Lore of Running by Tim Noakes
- Peak Performance by Brad Stuhlberg and Steve Magness
- The Big Picture: 11 laws that will change your life by Tony Horton
{read review} - The Runner’s Rule Book: Everything a Runner Needs to Know–And Then Some by Mark Remy
RUN TO THE FINISH BOOK
In fact, since I first created this list…well I’ve written my own book!
It’s not only filled with training tips, but a humorous look at this sport we love. You’ll find yourself relating to many of the thoughts and learning how to shift your thinking for better long term running.
I guess that might make a recommendation biased, but here’s what other folks had to say:
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All right that is a MASSIVE list to get you started on your reading journey! And you will absolutely notice that Matt Fitzgerald has made the list many times.
He’s not only a prolific author, but extremely thoughtful about the information provided. Having spoken with him in person, my respect for his work is only deepened.
But in case you are looking for something more specific:
And of course if there’s a book missing let me know! Or have a new book you’d like me to read, let me know!
Other ways to connect with Amanda
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Michael
“What I Talk About When I Talk About Running” is great, but it’s a memoir, not a novel.
margo
you forgot lizzy hawker’s book “RUNNER” a short story about a long run…. incredible account of this ultra runner – non-fiction :)
Sandy
“Honey, Do you need a ride? Confessions of a Fat Runner” by Jennifer Graham.
I have never related to a stranger more than every time I read this book.
amanda
ohh adding to my list!
Erin Kesterson
This is such a great list you have put together, thank you! Essential Sports Nutrition is one of my favorites written by a fellow SC registered dietitian!