The 5 Best Running Books to Inspire Your Next Run

Running books offer inspiration, knowledge and a sense of connecting to your “tribe”, or community.

Whether you have questions about your form, your mileage, or you’re simply looking for motivation from running stories – runner books give you all of that right at your finger tips!

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Benefits of Running Books

You are what you surround yourself with.

Want to be a positive person? Surround yourself with positive people and positive words.

Want to be a better runner? Surround yourself with inspiring runners and running knowledge.

That’s why I love these running books – they add a hefty dose of running information and motivation to my day when I don’t have an inspiring runner-friend handy 🙂

So grab one of these 5 running books if you’re looking for running information or running inspiration to have at the palm or your hands anytime!

1.) Running Is My Therapy

Categories: Informative, Inspirational, Self-Help

If you’ve even dealt with depression, you know it’s an epic battle that requires daily effort.

For some people, running is a solution better than pills – and that’s the essence of Running is My Therapy.

Summary:

Learn how to use running as therapy for your mind, body and spirit.

Backed by science, Running is My Therapy explains how people can use running as more than just a tool to increase your body’s health, but also your mind’s.

A natural antidepressant, running reinforces the benefits of therapy and triggers lasting, positive physiological changes. In fact, some doctors now “prescribe” a running regimen as part of their first-line treatment plan for depression

-Amazon book description

Why Read This Book:

Struggle with depression? Anxiety? Constantly-thinking mind?

You want to read this book. It will open your eyes to the healing possibilities of running.

I’ve used running as my therapy (in an unofficial capacity) for a few years now, and I can’t say enough good things about the sport. And this is coming from a previously unathletic, non-runner 🙂

->RELATED: The Surprising Benefits of Running

The “runner’s high” is real, crave-worthy, and SO addictive (in the best possible way).

As they say:

Having a good day? Run.

Having a bad day? Run.

So grab a copy (digital or physical) of Running is My Therapy and open your mind up to the incredible powers of running.

2.) Run Fast, Eat Slow

Categories: Cookbook, Nutrition for Runners

Summary:

This cookbook set me free.

I used to be bound by old, incorrect thoughts about nutrition. Low fat this, no salt that…no flavor anything.

Then I bought this cookbook and suddenly, my whole food world burst with flavor!

Run Fast, Eat Slow has tons of recipes that are so delicious, you’ll want to tell all your friends about them. Every day. But maybe don’t do it every day. 🙂

From Fartlek Chili (hehe, come on, that’s awesome) to desserts (that aren’t “guilty pleasures”, yet taste like they are), everyone will find their favorite recipe in this book.

Why Read It:

To find delicious and nutritious recipes to fuel your training. And your everyday life.

This is one of the most useful runner books I’ve ever owned – buy it today and you’ll thank yourself later!

>>RELATED: RUNNERS FOOD 101: THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO NUTRITION FOR RUNNERS

3.) Science of Running

Categories: Research, Informative, Scientific

Summary:

This book was written to help runners (and running coaches) optimize athletic performance.

“for those of us looking to maximize our performance, get as close to our limits as possible, and more than anything find out how good we can be, or how good our athletes can be. “

Amazon book description

Find in-depth details on topics like:

• V02max
• “Zone” training
• How to personalize training plans
• What “fatigue” is and what that means to you as an athlete
• And much more

Why Read Science of Running:

Quick note: If you’re a novice, then this book isn’t for you, in all honesty.

But for those looking to truly understand how the body ticks, the book gets into some fascinating nitty-gritty scientific details to help you understand your bod, it’s limits, and how to reach them.

So buy the Science of Running to learn how to push yourself to the max and perform your best!

4.) Born to Run

Categories: Inspirational, Real-Life Story

This book will make you want to run an ultra. It’s true.

It’s the story of the author, Christopher McDougall’s, quest to unlock the running secrets of the Tarahumara Indians, who are known as very healthy ultra long-distance runners.

The Amazon description sums it up best:

An epic adventure that began with one simple question: Why does my foot hurt?
 
Isolated by Mexico’s deadly Copper Canyons, the blissful Tarahumara Indians have honed the ability to run hundreds of miles without rest or injury.

In a riveting narrative, award-winning journalist and often-injured runner Christopher McDougall sets out to discover their secrets. In the process, he takes his readers from science labs at Harvard to the sun-baked valleys and freezing peaks across North America, where ever-growing numbers of ultra-runners are pushing their bodies to the limit, and, finally, to a climactic race in the Copper Canyons that pits America’s best ultra-runners against the tribe. McDougall’s incredible story will not only engage your mind but inspire your body when you realize that you, indeed all of us, were born to run.

It looks like there were plans to make a movie out of this book (starring none-other than Matthew McConaughey, of course), but those plans never seem to have materialized.

So buy Born to Run now if you want some ultra-inspiration (and to learn some long-distance running secrets along the way)!

5.) Once a Runner

Categories: Fiction, Inspirational, Historical (1960’s)

Summary:

While inspired by the author’s life, the book is actually fiction.

It follows the fictional story of Quenton Cassidy, a collegiate runner, in his quest to conquer the 4-minute mile.

As he’s approaching success, the Vietnam War era hits, and he is left suspended from the track team due to his participation in an on-campus protest.

What happens next is so interesting – he leaves his life as he knows it to embark on a journey to achieve his goal – breaking the 4-minute mile.

The twists and turns Quenton experiences along his elite running journey are fascinating (and some are even relatable).

Why Read It:

This novel is SO worth a read, especially if you are, or ever were, a runner or athlete!

The story itself is gripping, then you add in the many relatable struggles, and the book becomes a must-read for runners of all abilities.

Buy Once a Runner now on Amazon.

BONUS SECTION!

6.) Run Fast, Cook Fast, Eat Slow

This is the follow-up cooking book to the original “Run Fast, East Slow” (which I listed as the #2 of the best running books).

Why do I love this cookbook?

Answer: Quicker, easier recipes that still pack a huge flavor punch.

Shalane and Elyse received so much positive feedback from their first cookbook, that they took a second stab at creating one that is more approachable to high school and college athletes, or busy runners, who needed fewer ingredients and less cooking time.

If I could put both of the cooking books as #2, I would, but for now, Run Fast, Cook Fast, Eat Slow can enjoy it’s spot in the Bonus section 🙂

Buy Run Fast, Cook Fast, Eat Slow today on Amazon and you’ll be cooking up a storm in no time!

What’s your favorite running book?

Tell me in the comments, I’m always looking for new ideas!

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