Best Guides for Runners
harrynich
Posts: 34 Member
I was wondering if any of you could tell me what's good to read for a beginning runner. I ran many, many years ago but I didn't have to think about. I wore dime store tennis shoes. I never thought about stride or form.
Any ideas for a good overall guide to running? I'm 61 now and need to be sensible. Well, with regards to running I do.
Any ideas for a good overall guide to running? I'm 61 now and need to be sensible. Well, with regards to running I do.
0
Replies
-
Eric Orton's "The Cool Impossible".... for building strength and form...
Byron Powell's "Relentless Forward Progress".... for training for ultras
Christopher McDougall's "Born To Run"... for fun and
I started at age 53.... 56 now...these books helped me to go from 1/2 mile on my first run to my first attempt at a 50 mile race in October0 -
Thank you so much! It's really wonderful to wait for a response and then get one days later. I will definitely look at these. Best wishes.0
-
I'm surprised there weren't more responses...lol...0
-
I'm surprised there weren't more responses...lol...
I'm having a hard time answering this question. There is no quintessential guide for beginning runners that I am aware of. Most beginners benefit the most from two axioms:
1) Slow down
2) Don't do too much too soon
Once you get past that point, you are into training and there are quite a few good training books out there. Many of the best are based on the principles of Arthur Lydiard and then there are the outliers like Chi Running, FIRST program, etc.
If I were to recommend a training book, it would be "Daniels Running Formula" by Dr. Jack Daniels, but there are many concepts in there that don't apply to a beginner and can be very confusing.
Maybe "The Little Red Book of Running" by Scott Douglas would be a good place to start. It's been many years since I read it, but I seem to recall it doling out little bits of advice in bite sizes a starting runner can chew.0 -
This is what I can re-collect of what I did when I was new to running.
1) Doing too much too soon (Covered by Carson)
2) Bad/Terrible Posture - I stooped as I got tired which made me more tired resulting in backache. Being Relaxed and Upright is the way to go.
3) Overstriding - This wasn't an issue for a longtime but I did experience that I would overstride during some runs thinking it would make me run fast. Nope not true.
4) Mobility Training/Foam Rolling - I was and I'm still sometimes an Epic Failure at this. If you can invest in a foam roller and roll after every run I would highly recommend getting into that habit. I truly truly truly wished I had someone tell me this when I was jus' starting out.
Wishing you Good Luck.0 -
I found the "Runner's World Big Book of Marathon and Half Marathon Training" a good book that would help beginner runners at any level. But I believe they also have a "The Runner's World Big Book of Running for Beginners" as well that may be more applicable if you are not training for a HM or a full. I just happen to have the first book and read it.0
-
Thanks for these wonderful responses! I am a researcher.
When I was in college and began my running, I started by walking slowly 1/20th of a mile. Every day I added another 1/20th until I was walking a mile. Then I started slowly running 1/20th of a mile and walking the rest, and every day added another 1/20th. I increased the amount of time I added, but always added tiny, tiny bits of time and distance to my running. And in a few years I ran a marathon. I never came close to running too long or too far. And the marathons I ran I ran almost effortlessly. I always ran slow marathons. I was toward the end of the middle pack I'd say. So I'm planning to train in this way.
I never heard anything about over striding or how to have good form and posture. And I have no idea what foam rolling is! Although I'm looking it up as soon as I get off MFP this morning.
I'm approaching this as an absolute beginner. Shoes! I have to figure out shoes! In my 20s I ran in sneakers. The cheap kind you bought at the Five and Dime. I never wore running shoes at all and I never had a problem. I think today they would be more in the category of minimalist shoes, though I'm not sure it's the best way to go now.
Thanks again, all of you, for your responses. They make me excited to have resources to research and plan. I research everything!
Harry0 -
I am working post for my blog with a bunch of running books. I cut and pasted this for you; it's a work in progress
Personal Stories:
Run or Die by Kilian Jornet
The personal story of the fastest sky runner in the world.
Eat and Run by Scott Jurek
Read about Jurek’s journey to ultramarathon greatness and the dietary changes that helped get him there, many recipes are included.
Born to Run by Christopher McDougall
The best seller and book that started the “bare foot running” craze.
Ultramarathon Man by Dean Karnazes
Karnazes shares his story from being overweight to transforming himself into a man able to run more than 200 miles in a single race.
Instructional Books:
The Principles of Running: Lessons From My First 100,000 Miles by Amby Burfoot
This is a book I loved for its simplicity and that fact that it did not ignore the unique needs of female runners. Burfoot introduces a new runner to everything from building mileage, to stride, to racing.
The Runner’s World Big Book of Marathon and Half Marathon Training by Allen, Yasso and Burfoot
A very good beginner “how to” book for running the longer distances. Training and nutritional plans are included.
YOU (Only Faster) by Greg McMillan
One of my personal favorites; McMillan teaches you how to customize your training plans to your specific running and recovery style. From there, he describes the different types of training zones and runs that belong in those zones all with a focus on making you a faster runner.
Relentless Progress Forward: A Guide to Running Ultramarathons by Bryon Powell
Thinking about running an ultramarathon? This is the “how-to” book for you!
Matt Fitzgerald’s books:
I am giving Fitzgerald his own category because no other author has done so much to improve me as a runner. Fitzgerald teaches you how to eat right, run faster and expend less energy getting to the finish line. In the past months, I owe much of my gains to his ideas and advice.
The New Rules of Marathon and Half Marathon Nutrition: A Cutting Edge Plan to Fuel Your Body Beyond the Wall
Racing Weight: How to Get Lean for Peak Performance
Racing Weight Cookbook: Lean, Light Recipes for Athletes
Diet Cults: The Surprising Fallacy at the Core of Nutrition Fads and a Guide to Healthy Eating for the Rest of Us
Books that Help You Become a Better All-Around Runner:
The Wharton’s Stretch Book by Jim and Phil Wharton
Learn about active isolated stretching and how it can improve you as an athlete.
Weight Training for Running: The Ultimate Guide by Rob Price
Want to lift heavy but need a guide on how to make strength gains as a runner? Check out this book, which has very detailed training plans included.0 -
My most fav resource for learning anything about running is THIS, by Jonathan Savage.
http://fellrnr.com/wiki/Main_Page
my fav things: energy gel comparison chart, why not to take NSAIDS if you're a runner, marathon training plan comparisons, frequent marathon/ultra training plans, shoe info, so much stuff! I find something new every time I read it. I don't agree with everything he says, but still, it's always been a good starting point.
Lots of great books mentioned as well. I didn't really read any books until a year or so into my career (I've been running 4 years) and then 2 yrs ago when I started training for my first ultra I read EVERY BOOK I could find.
Good luck!0 -
My most fav resource for learning anything about running is THIS, by Jonathan Savage.
http://fellrnr.com/wiki/Main_Page
my fav things: energy gel comparison chart, why not to take NSAIDS if you're a runner, marathon training plan comparisons, frequent marathon/ultra training plans, shoe info, so much stuff! I find something new every time I read it. I don't agree with everything he says, but still, it's always been a good starting point.
Lots of great books mentioned as well. I didn't really read any books until a year or so into my career (I've been running 4 years) and then 2 yrs ago when I started training for my first ultra I read EVERY BOOK I could find.
Good luck!
Great resource! Thanks for sharing...0 -
Agreed - FellRnR rocks. Probably the most information dense site I've come across.
http://www.runningwritings.com is my #1 for the injuries that he discusses.0 -
If you're a researcher, snag a copy of "The Lore of Running" by Dr. Tim Noakes. I bought a used copy at Amazon for a pittance. Huge amount of info.
http://www.runningwritings.com is great for injury info.
and, per another poster, fellrnr is a good resource.
Another book that's popped up is "You only Faster" by McMillan. I had the pleasure of attending a McMillan running camp and we went over the book in detail. If you're doing a Lydiard-based plan, I think it's a good match for a lot of runners (me included).
Fitzgerald - for me, he's THE source on nutrition. Good info on nutrition while training (though it was pretty much a "review" for me) but the race prep discussion was good enough that I've adopted much of his advice.
Daniels is complex for a new runner. His second edition is easier to follow but it still takes some work to figure out a Daniels training plan when compared to something from McMillan, for example. Daniels does have a lot of good info in addition to training plans but I'd prioritize if lower than some of the other recommendations.
Welcome to running!0
