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50 Best Running Books of all Time – Motivation, Training, Nutrition

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best running books

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!

Train smart, eat well, & enjoy the run!  — P. Mark Taylor

That would be the shortest and yet best running book I could recommend. We know that the overall concept of a good training cycle is simple, but that doesn’t meant easy and it doesn’t mean there aren’t a lot of little pieces we need to know too!

8 small words encompass everything there really is to know about running…but let’s be honest we love the details!

We love to talk about our rave runs, blistered toes, what to eat before a run and why we no longer ICE injuries. Luckily the running boom has also meant a growth in wonderful books about the sport.

Top 50 Running Books

While I certainly read a ton of running bloggers and love my Runner’s World magazine, sometimes you need more. You need a beautiful story or a plan or meal and that’s why I’ve cultivated a  list of the top 50 books for  runners.

top running booksFollowing 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.

In fact, since I first created this list…well I’ve written my own book! I guess that might make a recommendation biased, but here’s what other folks had to say:

“THIS BOOK IS EVERYTHING! If you are someone who laces up, shows up, and runs, you NEED THIS BOOK! Unlike other running books that boast and brag about being a “fast” runner, this book is for the LARGEST group of runners out there, middle of the pack runners that are trying to do the best for themselves, stay injury free, and train healthy while still living their lives….

She first starts out stating you must first stop calling yourself slow or not a real runner, which is something I struggle with. She uses not only physical advice but mental advice within the book, cause let’s be serious running IS a mental sport.

I just started it yesterday and couldn’t put it down, making notes and putting post it notes on my favorite phrases like “Forward is a pace” and “Stronger and Stronger with every mile” GET THIS BOOK. “online running book

Best Running Books to Motivate Your Training

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!

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
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
The Long Run: A New York City Firefighter’s Triumphant Comeback from Crash Victim to Elite Athlete by Matt Long
Finding Ultra by Rich Roll
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
A life without limits by Chrissie Wellington {read review}
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 Kastordeena kastor bookRunning with the Kenyans by Adharanand Finn {read review}
Going Long: Legends, Oddballs, Comebacks & Adventures by the Editors of Runners World
14 Minutes: A Running Legend’s Life and Death and Life by Alberto Salazar
Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand
Marathon Man: My 26.2 mile journey from unknown grad student to Top of the Running World by Bill Rodgers
A Beautiful Work in Progress by Mirna Valerio
Run to Overcome by Meb Keflezighi
A Race Like No Other:26.2 miles through the streets of New York by Liz Robbins
Dual in the Sun: Alberto Salazar, Dick Beardsley, and America’s Greatest Marathon by John Brant
Running Ransom Road: Confronting the past one marathon at a time by Caleb Daniloff
What I Talk About When I Talk About Running by Haruki Murakami
Age is Just a Number by Dara Torres (ok she’s not a runner, but you’ll thank me)
The Pants Of Perspective: One Woman’s 3,000 kilometer running adventure through the wilds of New Zealand by Anna McNuff

Whether you need some running motivation, training tips or to improve your sports nutrition, you'll find a great book on this list! #running #motivation Click To Tweet

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!

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 Grahamthe running dream

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 on Air: Run Better by Breathing Smarter by Budd Coates
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
Endure: Mind, Body, and the Curiously Elastic Limits of Human Performance by Alex Hutchinson
Run Faster: How to be your own best coach by Matt Fitzgerald {read review}
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
Brain Training for Runners: A Revolutionary New Training System to Improve Endurance, Speed, Health and Results by Matt Fitzgerald
The Brave Athlete: Calm the F**k Down and Rise to the Occasion by Simon Marshal
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}
Hansons Marathon Method by Luke Humphrey {read review}
Chi Running by Danny Dreyer
Big Book of Endurance Training by Phil Maffetone {read review}
Anatomy for Runners by Jay Dicharry
Running with the mind of Meditation by Sakyong Mipham
Lore of Running by Tim Noakes
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)

Sports Nutrition Books

We all know that pre and post run fueling is a key to avoiding runner’s trots and speedy post race recovery to keep training on track. So yes indeed I’m including here some of the best I’ve read on fuel for athletes.

When I am running well I am happy, and when I am happy I run well. – Ian Thompson

The Athlete’s Palate Cookbook by Yishane Lee
Run Fast. Cook Fast. Eat Slow. by Elyse Kopecky and Shalane Flanangan {sample recipe}
Diet Cults by Matt Fitzgerald {read review}
Runner’s World Cookbook {sample recipe}
Essential Sports Nutrition by Marni Sumbal
Sugar Shock by Connie Bennett {read review}sports nutrition books

Happy reading!!!

If you have a favorite running book I left off, let me know!

And yes you’ll find many of these authors on my top audiobooks for runners and top podcasts for runners.

And finally if NONE of that is really what you need because this year you want to think more strength based – checkout this list of the best fitness books.

Other ways to connect with Amanda
Instagram Daily Fun: RunToTheFinish

Facebook Community Chatter: RunToTheFinishRunning_motivation_thumb

Get more running tips: Pinterest

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Posted by amanda Categories: book reviews, running books

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Michael says

    June 19, 2017 at 2:20 pm

    “What I Talk About When I Talk About Running” is great, but it’s a memoir, not a novel.

  2. margo says

    August 23, 2017 at 2:57 pm

    you forgot lizzy hawker’s book “RUNNER” a short story about a long run…. incredible account of this ultra runner – non-fiction :)

  3. Sandy says

    November 29, 2019 at 9:44 pm

    “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 says

      December 1, 2019 at 9:26 am

      ohh adding to my list!

  4. Erin Kesterson says

    January 11, 2020 at 2:06 pm

    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!

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SHARE THE ONE that resonates most with you. 🏃‍♀️🏃🏾🏃🏽‍♂️
 
It’s true, I’ll never stop talking about the warm up 😂. But right now the idea that running is HOPEFUL really strikes a chord.💜
 
We show up mile after mile always looking to what’s ahead and what’s possible.
 
Which one hits home for you?
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#runningmotivation #runninginspiration #medalmonday #fitnessmemes #runningmemes #runningquotes #runnerslife #runnerlife
AVOID HITTING THE WALL (save this and review befor AVOID HITTING THE WALL (save this and review before races) -AKA  Bonking. UK friends giggle at that, but it’s a term just like fartlek.
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It’s that painful moment when your mind tells your legs to stop and it feels like there’s nothing you can do to turn the tides. It leaves emotional scars!🥵
 
WHAT TO DO!
1️⃣Train differently - seems obvious, but consistent training that follows a plan which progressively and smartly builds your miles and strength and speed...ya it works.
 
2️⃣Fuel, fuel, fuel - force yourself to eat before races and long runs even if not hungry.
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Starting fueling sooner than you think you need to and keep doing it. During races your body is running on more carbs and needs that steady flow of energy. 
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🧠 Your brain functions on CARBS, stop depriving it or it will tell you to stop running. If food while running is an issue for you, checkout something like @genucan.
 
3️⃣Pacing - Stop going out too fast because you’re excited, it absolutely catches up to you. Ideal is even pacing start to finish.
 
4️⃣Pay attention to your brain. @fitzgerald.matt in How Bad Do You Want it does a great job of showing how the brain can limit performance if you don’t know what’s happening up there.
 
5️⃣Recover better - Stop over training and give your body tools to help it destress from all the work...the best one is SLEEP. I also love @resiliencecbd to help with nerves prior to a race and quality sleep during training.
 
❓❓Helpful?? Have more race day questions?? Or an epic story of hitting the wall?? I wanna know.❓❓
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Thanks to @moxie82co for capturing this weird moment, it worked great for this post.
HIT THOSE HIPS!!! I’ve given you a couple hip mo HIT THOSE HIPS!!! I’ve given you a couple hip mobility workouts, now we add strength!
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🥳For the next 30 days in the Virtual Run Club we’ll be going hard on all the pre-hab work for hips, glutes and abs. Because running isn’t just about the miles.
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That’s one of the reasons I’ve been consistently doing @insidetracker bloodwork since 2015.
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It’s helped me identify low Vitamin D causing fatigue or catch my wayyy high cortisol to embrace easy runs as key part of the process.
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👉LINK IN BIO FOR BOTH
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3 CORE MOVES
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You can use these as a progression or do all three, they’ll target the hips, glutes and core in different ways with each variation.
 
Aim for 15 reps prior to a run or do multiple rounds as part of a workout!
 
1️⃣Side Plank Kneeling Hip Raise - Really focus on your core engaging to raise up and keeping your elbow under your shoulder.
 
2️⃣Side Plank Kneeling Leg Raise - Again core should be tight to keep hips lifted, not sagging towards the ground. Then focus on your hip and glute to raise the top leg.
 
3️⃣Straight Leg Side Plank Leg Raise - Engage the core to keep hips high and press the bottom foot in to the ground to really engage your glutes. Slow and steady to remain stable while raising and lowering top leg.
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Let go of the distance.
Let go of HR for a day.
Just run.
We GET to.
 
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