Great Running Reads

As the summer winds down, there might be just one more decent beach weekend to enjoy a good read -- depending on if "Hurricane Earl" has anything to do with it. If the latest copy of Vogue, Health or Runner's World isn't cutting it -- here's a couple suggestions. You can pick them up in the store - or via your eReader at Amazon or Barnes & Noble.

 Pre: The Story of America's Greatest Running Legend, Steve Prefontaine by Tom Jordan

I recently finished PRE and thought it was a great introspective into PRE's life on and off the track. You'll get a great sense of the kind of person Pre was in life - as well as his contribution to the sport.


Given the recent publicity on the new record of 51 marathons in 51 days - and other efforts to break these ultra-distance accomplishments, two books by Dean Karnazes are high on my list to read. What does it really take to keep moving in a 24 hour race? Ultramarathon Man: Confessions of an All-Night Runner by Dean Karnazes

But in particular, Dean Karnazes' 50/50: Secrets I Learned Running 50 Marathons in 50 Days -- and How You Too Can Achieve Super Endurance! looks to be a good read not only enjoyable, but with some tips for surviving the 50 days of punishing your body. Having followed his blog during the 50 days - looks to be a great read!!

Other highly acclaimed reads by runners and critics include Born to Run and Run. Thanks to the benefit of modern technology, you can sample these or any of these or other reads at Amazon and Barnes & Noble, even if you don't have the Kindle or Nook devices.

Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen by Christopher McDougall

RUN: The Mind-Body Method of Running by Feel by Matt Fitzgerald 






Through Amazon in particular, I believe you can get a glimpse of the content and sample chapters. If these didn't make your summer reading list either, perhaps a great suggestion for birthdays (-- or even Santa?!)

If you have other recommendations or suggestions - feel free to post them! Or if you've read these and want to share your personal review, share them here!

Happy running and reading!