5 Favorite Running Books

 It's going to be Spring in just a few days yet this winter seems to be hanging on so tightly.  The doldrums of winter weather sometimes lead to a lack of motivation for some people. Since today's Friday 5 themes was "Favorites" we thought we would share with you our 5 Favorite Running Books. These are sure to motive and inspire anyone who seems to be in a winter running rut.

Running books

 Plus, if you see more snow in your upcoming forecast, that will be a good time to curl up with one of these books.

Lacey Balliet
Run by Dean Karnazes 
I have read this several times and each time I read it I think about signing up for an Ultra. The book is so Inspirational. I love reading all his crazy stories and how he began running. Running 30 miles to celebrate his 30th birthday and ordering a pizza during a run are just a few.
 
 
Bart Yasso book

My Life on the run by Bart Yasso
Bart has run on every continent. He brings humor while talking about all his races and experiences he's encounter, one being chased by a rhino. It wasn't until after reading his book I fully understood what the Yasso 800 is and how he came up with it. In the back of the book he also breaks down different training plans for newbies, seasoned, and hard core runners.
 
 
Running like a girl

Running Like a Girl by Alexandra Heminsley
Alexandra is a British author who documents how she went from non-runner to training for the London Marathon. She tells her comedic anecdotes in a Bridget Jones like fashion. She goes through things we all go through as runners and wonders about things that most people would never say out loud. She answers plenty of questions that are helpful to new and seasoned runners. We have a full review of this book HERE.

 
The Big book of Running for Beginners by Runners World
Even though this book says it is for beginners I think everyone at any level of running could learn something from this book. some of the best runners share their stories and tips. You can see our complete review of this book HERE.



The Runner's World Cookbook
This book is such a phenomenal cookbook and a great resource to keep in the kitchen.  We've shared a few recipes from this book on the blog already. You can read our complete review HERE.


Easter is coming up. Perhaps you might want to surprise a runner with one of these books in their Easter basket.

Do you have a favorite Running book?


69 comments:

  1. This is a great list! I have the Runners World cookbook on my kindle and I refer to it all the time!

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  2. I love running books and Meb's book Run to Overcome was one I finished recently and it is very inspiring. Right now, 26.2 to Boston is on my nightstand. Race day is coming soon!

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  3. Awesome list. I'm definitely going to new to pick up a couple of these. Thanks for sharing

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  4. The only running book I've read is John Bingham's, and that's when I started this long distance stuff. I saw Kara Goucher's book on Amazon, and it's a maybe.

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  5. I love running books but haven't read any of these. Will definitely check them out. Thanks!

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    1. Hope you are able to get your hands on one or two of them.

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  6. Ohh that Runner's Book cookbook could totally find its way into my kitchen.

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  7. This is awesome! Are you participating in my book club? It's not too late... :)

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  8. Great list! I just got the Another Mother Runner 3rd book in their series excited to read it.

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  9. I've always been intrigued by the Runner's World Cookbook. I definitely need to add that to my wishlist.

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  10. Thanks so much for this! I loved the big book of running for beginners and really need to check out the other ones on your list.

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  11. I've read a few of these already. Bart is definitely one of my favorites in the running community. I hope to meet him one day!
    And I hope someday very soon I can start reading again. My free time is so sparse these days with my two little kiddos schedules. I need a vacation just so I can relax again with a book... lol I'm thinking hammock, book, and beach time.

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    1. It was so cool meeting both those guys. I can imagine how busy you are with two little ones that reading is probably the last thing on your mind. Hope you get some "Me time" soon.

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  12. Oh, these books sound good! I do love the RW Cookbook!

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  13. YES to the cookbook! I'm going to have to get Bart Yasso's book! I'm looking forward to hearing him speak at the Shamrock expo in a few weeks!

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    1. You will enjoy it. He will have a slide show of many pictures during his races around the world.

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  14. I haven't read any of these but the cookbook sounds like it would be the best ;)

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  15. This is a great list. One of my all time fav running books was Born to Run, it was so inspirational and motivating to me!

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    1. I have heard so many people liking this book. I gave it a chance but I could not seem to get into it. Maybe u need to give it another chance.

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  16. Awesome list. I have a ton on my to read list, but never seem to get to them.

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  17. i like the runner's world cookbook. i need to pull that baby back out and start cooking!

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  18. I am a big fan of Eat And Run. I am going to search out My Life On The Run, looks very interesting. Happy Soon To Be Spring.

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    1. I will have to download that one. I agree, Spring cannot get here soon enough.

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  19. I have those last 3 books on your list, the Big book of Running, Run like a Girl and the Runner's world cookbook. I have yet to read "Run like a Girl" and I need to. I will have to see how much the other books are for Kindle.
    I need to be using the cookbook more! I have only made a few recipes from it

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  20. I think Dean's RUN is my favorite, followed by Bart's book. I've had Run Like a Girl on my Amazon wishlist forever - sounds like I should go ahead and order it already! Oh and I have the Big Book of Running, too. GMTA! :)

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    1. I have read all the other books Dean has as well. And they are all so good.

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  21. Great list! I've enjoyed the last 3 and I think the Bart Yasso is next on my list of running books to read.

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    1. You will love it. His stories are very entertaining.

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  22. I have just started reading a book called Running Like A Girl and I am really enjoying it.

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  23. I think I'll have to give "Running Like a Girl" a look -- I can't get over my mental hurdle of running more than 5 or 6 miles. I really need that motivation to hear that so many people go from couch to marathon -- so obviously I can complete one too! How inspirational. I love that you said it's Bridget Jones-esque haha that sealed the deal for me.

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  24. Great list! That book about running like a girl sounds fun; I'll have to check it out.

    My favorite running book is probably Advanced Marathoning by Steve Pfitzinger. It's a really fact-heavy book with advice on how to run your best marathon. I haven't followed it to a T, but have taken bits of his advice (particularly about fueling the week leading up to the race) and they've worked out well for me.

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  25. Oooh, great idea for a post! If there's one thing I love (almost) as much as running, it's reading! Thanks for the tips. And I've been meaning to seek out a cookbook with "runner-friendly" recipes...since I'm attempting to cook more often and I completely suck at it...and I suffer from the run-gries BIG TIME...I can use all the help I can get. ;)

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  26. The Runners World Cookbook always looks like it has such good recipes.

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  27. I'm so, so glad that you had this list today! I'm always looking for new books to read (it's part of my resolution this year!) So i'll have to add these to my Goodreads list :)

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  28. I have that cookbook!! I've used it here and there. Otherwise I'm a terrible runner because never have I ever read a book about running besides the Run Like a Mother Training Plan book. (Which I love.) I need some of these on my shelf. And time to read them! :D Great suggestions!

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  29. Awesome list! I'm going to check these out especially the Runner's World Cookbook! Thanks for sharing!

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  30. OK... I gotta check out the Running like a Girl!!!

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  31. I loved the Long Run about the injured firefighter Matt Long. I have a few others, but can't remember names LOL.

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  32. These are great selections! I love Bart Yasso's book; he was back at the Little Rock Marathon last weekend and it was so nice to see him. I'm about to read the new one (won't publish until end of April) by the author of Born to Run; I hope it's good! Have a great weekend!

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    1. I actually did not like the book Born to Run ( I know I'm probably the only one) But I will give this new book a chance when it comes out.

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  33. I'm a fan of Kelly Starrett's "Ready to Run". I learned a lot!

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  34. I've never read any of these but I really want to read Run!

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  35. I've been wondering about Running Like a Girl - sounds like one I need to add to my reading list! I also have the Runner's World Cookbook on my list - I keep hearing great things about it!

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  36. Great list! I'd love to try the Runner's World Cookbook!

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    1. I hope you get to. There are some tasty recipes in there.

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  37. I love the Runner's World Cookbook - so many good recipes!

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  38. thanks for the suggestions! i should probably read more. I do have and love the Runners World cookbook!

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  39. Wonderful list of books, I want to read all of them! Lacey, your pics are so cute :)

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    1. Thanks. I may have been a bit too happy but that's bc I was just so excited. They are like celebrities to me...ha.

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  40. I just read Running Like a Girl last year and I LOVED LOVED LOVED it!!!!! Great list!

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  41. Thanks! It was so exciting meeting them! I'll have to check that book out.

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  42. Awesome list! I will definitely check some of these out!! I really liked Born to Run!

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  43. Great list! Both Running Like A Girl and the beginner's book sound interesting to me. I'll have to look into those :) I was going to suggest Born to Run, but Sue already mentioned that one ;)

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  44. I haven't read any of these books! When I first got in to running again, it was right after the birth of my daughter. I picked up the Run Like a Mother book and it really spoke to me as a new mom. I might have to check some of these out! Thanks!

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  45. Run Like a Girl: How Strong Women Make Happy Lives by Mina Samuels is one of my absolute favorites - definitely worth checking out :)

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  46. Thanks for the book suggestions. I haven't read any of these. My favorite so far is marathon man by Bill Rodgers. His humor keeps you entertained with so many nuggets of running wisdom.

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  47. I'd be lying if I said I have read any of these cover to cover. But when it's slow at the library if I am working I like to thumb through books like these and speed read sections.
    I saw the Run like a Girl book a while back on the shelf, and based on what you said I should have picked it up. at the time I thought it would be something totally different, but sounds like it would actually be fun to glance through. Guess you just gave me one to browse the next time I work and it's slow:)
    I've gone through "the big book..." and "Run" and they weren't bad! I have come across a few others that have made me roll my eyes, but a few that actually were written with "my type of running" in mind that I enjoyed:)

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  48. I have been wanting to read a good running book. Thanks for the recommendations! Hope you are having a great weekend.

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  49. The last running book I read was Sole Sisters. I was injured at the time and wanted to read some inspirational stories about women runners. I just don't have time to reach much these days! I've got to change that!

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  50. Great list - I've been wanting to read Running Like a Girl. I really like the RW Cookbook.

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  51. Great list!

    I have just joined a runner's book club, so I'm hoping to have tons of titles to recommend.

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  52. Great list! A few I have not heard of before. My favorite running book is Mile Markers!
    Karen @karenlovestorun

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  53. I have the first two books you list and got to meet both Dean and Bart at races and have them sign my books, too. I'd love to get the Runner's World cookbook!

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Fairytales and Fitness is a personal blog authored and edited by us, Meranda and Lacey. The thoughts expressed here represent only our own and are not meant to be taken as professional advice. Please note that our thoughts and opinions change from time to time. We consider this a necessary consequence of having an open mind in an ever changing society. Any thoughts and opinions expressed within our out-of-date posts may not be the same, nor even similar, to those we may express today. Some links may contain affiliate links. Some links are just to pages we'd like to share.