Here are some of our favorite books on running:

• Go the Distance! by Pat Connelly (with Greg Minter) Coach Pat, (who coached both Coach Murray and Coach Greg) is a former Olympic trials qualifier, with a marathon best of 2:32 (!). He's been the coach for the L.A. Roadrunners for the past fifteen years or so, in addition to being the "Commissioner of Athletes" for the Los Angeles Marathon. You may have seen him on Channel 4 before the L.A Marathon giving training tips on T.V.! I was fortunate enough to be asked to ghost write this comprehensive book on marathon training for Pat, who is now a good friend. If you want to get this book, you can either order it directly from Pat's website, or see Coach Greg.

• The Runner's Literary Companion edited by Garth Battista - for those with a literary bent, this is a nice collection of short stories, poems, and selections from longer works.

• Running Injury Free by Joe Ellis, D.P.M., Adviser RUNNER'S WORLD - this is a great book on the top 15-20 most common running injuries. Joe is a podiatrist and a runner, and he describes how to identify and work through a whole host of problems. I learned a good piece of what I know about injuries from this great book.

• Galloway's Book on Running by Jeff Galloway - this is the "how to" manual for a huge number of first time marathoners. Jeff is an ex-Olympian and a great teacher. We use many of the techniques described by Jeff in our own training programs.

• To the Edge: A Man, Death Valley, and the Mystery of Endurance by Kirk Johnson Want to know what it's like to run across Death Valley? Kirk Johnson's first person account is a great first person story of what it's like to run the Badwater Ultramarathon.

• Hiking Trails of the Santa Monica Mountains by Milt McAuley One of my favorite trail books, the one I used to learn much of what I know about the Santa Monica mountains. Milt describes not only trails, but also flora and fauna, so you get to learn what all those different plants are called! The book includes lots of maps, too.

• The Lore of Running by Tim Noakes, M.D. The book provides a fascinating look at the legendary figures and events in running history. And that’s just scratching the surface. Sometimes called 'the runner's bible.' LoR also gives you incomparable detail on physiology, training, racing, injuries and races.
  

• 50 Trail Runs in Southern California by Stan Swartz If you want to run on the dirt and see some spectacular scenery, Southern California won't disappoint! This is a good book for checking out some 'off-road' running locations in the surrounding areas.

• Fixing Your Feet by John Vonhof - this is a complete guide to dealing with foot-related running problems. John is an ultramarathoner and emergency room technician, and he wrote and illustrated this book. It's a "must have" book for anyone who has foot problems they want to work on.