Active Running Book Club
By Ryan Wood
Active.com
Looking for a great book to teach, aid or inspire your running? From how-to guides to fascinating narratives to humorous storytelling, here a few of Active.com's favorite running books:
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Marathon: You Can Do It!
By Jeff Galloway
One of the top sources on running, Galloway lays out a plan and shares his secrets for runners of all abilities to finish a 26.2-mile race.
Born to Run
By Christopher McDougall
One of the more popular running books out there, this read is a fascinating look at the famous Tarahumara tribe of Mexico, known for their incredible long-distance running abilities.
Running for Mortals
By John Bingham and Jenny Hadfield
Bingham is known for proudly speaking on behalf of the "back of the pack" runners. Here, he teams with Hadfield to provide tips, workouts and inspiration that will shift you from couch potato to lifelong runner.
I Run, Therefore I Am—Nuts!
By Bob Schwartz
If you need a good laugh, everyone will appreciate this humorous look at what runners (including the author) put themselves through and how absurd it all really is.
RUN: The Mind-Body Method of Running By Feel
By Matt Fitzgerald
Runners who haven't quite realized their potential can learn to interpret internal messages like confidence, enjoyment, fatigue and suffering and use them to your advantage.
Food Guide for Marathoners
By Nancy Clark
One of the top sports nutritionists out there breaks down the correct way to handle food and drink as you approach your marathon—and even during the 26.2-mile race. Everything is covered.
Barefoot Running Step By Step
By Ken Bob Saxton and Roy Wallack
Barefoot Ken Bob is the authority on barefoot running, having completed 75 marathons sans shoes. He shows you the right way to ease into barefoot running and never look back.
A Race Like No Other
By Liz Robbins
A New York Times reporter follows several runners as they tackle the New York City Marathon. The book captures the charm of the event and examines the marathon itself through the eyes of pros and amateurs.
Relentless Forward Progress
By Bryon Powell
Consider this a how-to manual for those looking to try an ultramarathon. Seemingly every topic is covered, from training to hydration to recovery to injuries to gear.
Chi Running: A Revolutionary Approach to Effortless, Injury-Free Running
By Danny Dreyer and Katherine Dreyer
This book breaks down the Dreyers' secrets to make your passion for running an injury-free endeavor with aspects of yoga, Pilates and T'ai Chi included.
The Perfect Mile
By Neil Bascomb
Running's glory days are covered in this brilliant narrative that follows Roger Bannister, John Landy and Wes Santee as they all try to break the 4-minute mile barrier in the 1950s.
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