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 thats 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.