We run, we eat, we sleep, we read. For many of us, books are a source of knowledge and inspiration. Since running is our main hobby, naturally, running-themed books are the way to go. This summer, we’ve been bringing you the best guides and stories about running. Now, we’re giving you two suggestions of books about going the extra distance. The Longest Race By Ed Ayres This book comes from an author and well-seasoned runner who has run 600 races over the span of 55 years. As most runners know, the skills that are acquired through dedication to the sport are always applicable to other areas of life. For Ed Ayres, his focuses outside of running have been in his career as a journalist and as an environmental editor. He uses this book to comment on running and link it to matters that we encounter every day– specifically, environmental concerns and matters that plague modern society. This book begins in 2001 at the start line of the JFK 50-Mile race– the oldest and largest in the U.S. At first when he starts this race, he thinks about basic runner concerns like hydration, pace and gear. As he goes on, he passes civil war sites and gets lost on a train of thought about overcoming struggles we face together as a society. He discusses how and why the skills that we get an endurance athletes translate to so many other parts of life. Hal Koerner’s Field Guide to Ultrarunning By Hal Koerner and Adam W. Chase This book is exactly what its title claims it to be: a guide on ultrarunning. Runners looking to transition into going the longer distances need to know about safety, proper ways to train and common mistakes to avoid. This book teaches runners all of that. Whether a runner is tackling a 30-mile or 100-miler for the first time, the pages of this guide will come useful. This book comes with three detailed training plans which runners will appreciate following step-by-step or referring to for inspiration for their own workouts. The best part of this is how exhaustive it is. Runners will learn everything from mental strategies, race day prep, altitude training and heat and first aid. Even seasoned ultrarunners are sure to learn something new.
Author information
The post Running books on going the (extra) distance appeared first on Canadian Running Magazine.