This is an expanded reading list I included in my book – Run for Joy. I've added links to Amazon for the books to save you from searching for them but if you decide to purchase a book from the link then I get a small commission at no cost to you. I’ve provided my review of each book – yes, I did read them all from cover to cover! Some of my personal copies are old and all dog-eared. Just click on "Read More..." button to take you to more information and reviews of each book. I’ve listed books in categories based on my reading of their primary focus – I admit some are hard to categorize. Be aware some books are only available as eBooks; unfortunately, at the time of writing a few are out of print or outrageously priced.
I'd like to see this list expanded with more modern-day biographies and training/coaching philosophies so please reach out to me and help me on your favorite selections to be added.
Cliff Calderwood
The Unforgiving Minute
Ron Clarke
Ron Clarke set the world alight in the 1960s with a string of world records over distance running. Clark dominated the period, and though he never won an Olympic Gold medal - he won bronze in an epic battle in 1964 - he’s the name that crops up on every runner’s lips who lived through his era as one the greatest over the 5K/10K and 3/6-mile distances. This is his story and details all his major races and thoughts around the training and racing of a remarkable runner in his formative and record-setting years.
Four Million Footsteps
Bruce Tulloh
More a memoir than a biography. I read this book shortly after it was first published in 1970. It’s currently out of print. But you never know in these days of print on demand maybe we’ll see it for sale again at a realistic price. It chronicles Tulloh's record-breaking coast-to-coast run across America. One of Britain’s elite runners at the end of his elite competitive racing days, he set out on a fascinating journey and set down his experiences and insights on running across a continent but through America in the late sixties.
No Bugles No Drums
Garth Gilmour
This is Peter Snell’s biography – perhaps, along with Murray Halberg, the most famous and prolific of Arthur Lydiard’s stable of athletes. Snell won three Olympic Gold Medals during the ’60s and captured World Records over the ½ and 1 mile and metric equivalents. The read is interesting because it progresses through the maturity of Snell, not only as an athlete but as a person, and how he came to appreciate the International community of runners beyond the Lydiard camp and his influence.
Arthur Lydiard Master Coach
Garth Gilmour
If “Running To The Top” introduces Lydiard’s training methods focused on aerobic and anaerobic workouts and schedules, then this is his biography, focused on how he developed his philosophies of training athletes. It also journals his ups and downs as a coach as he travels the world, imparting his knowledge to other coaches and athletes in other sports. The story of a remarkable coach and the formulation of his running philosophies developed in the 1950s and ’60s and how he made training 100 miles or more a week common in running circles.
The Perfect Distance - Ovett & Coe: The Record-Breaking Rivalry
Pat Butcher
The era of Steve Ovett and Seb Coe in world and British athletics burns bright in my memory. It was a golden age as their rivalry on the track led to see-sawing record-breaking runs over middle-distancing on the world and Olympic stages. The story sometimes reads like a soap opera with families and coaches involved and the differences in their upbringing. Don't expect to explore their training schedules or share too intimate moments with them. Pat Butcher, himself a useful miler in his day, pulls together a fascinating book about a memorable era.
Why Die? The Extraordinary Percy Cerutty
Graem Sims
This biography of the controversial man who died in 1975, penned by Australian writer Graem Sims is a compelling account of the enigma of “Percie.” Cerutty was as much a showman as a coach, and this irked and isolated him from Australian Athletics officials, and eventually from athletes he coached. Best remembered for coaching Herb Elliott and his camp in the dunes of Melbourne, this book captures the life and spirit of an uncompromising man who was happiest running, teaching, and writing.
The Four-Minute Mile
Roger Bannister
The pivotal moment in middle-distance running was when Roger Bannister became the first person to break the four minutes for the mile track run on May 6th, 1954. In his own words, Bannister tells the story of events leading up to the Oxford race and what came after, both on and off the track, and his competition with the Australian John Landy and others in a race to be the first to break the barrier. Bannister had a short career at the top but he is the name associated with the mile and the ability to go beyond and achieve what was thought impossible.
Be Fit Or Be Damned!
Percy Cerutty
Percy Cerutty was either a genius or a crackpot, depending on which side of the dividing line you place his thoughts. Love him or hate him; you couldn’t ignore him. Finding himself on the road to unhealthy destruction he set about changing his life habits and his journey would make not only a positive impact on himself but a generation of Australian athletes. Always controversial as a coach, this book goes way beyond running and exercising and is more of a manifesto on living your life. Cerutty's writing style can make for a challenging read but does provide a window into the sanctity in which he held the human body and its fitness and what he demanded of those he coached.
Run Fast: How to Beat Your Best Time Every Time
Hal Higdon
Hal Higdon is a well-known runner, coach, and author of running. This is perhaps his most popular work and is aimed at all levels of runners preparing to run their first or fastest 5K or 10K races. His advice covers all the bases and challenges for recreational runners and those ready to push themselves to ever faster times.
I have personally adopted some of his recommendations in my own training plans for these distances. If you want to prepare for the distance races then this book is a good addition to your shelf.
Running To The Top
Arthur Lydiard
If you’re looking for Lydiard’s first book, “Run To The Top,” published in the 1960s, this isn’t it, and that book is now out of print anyway. The content is all about training and schedules and largely ignores Lydiard’s history and impact on New Zealand and World middle- and long-distance running scenes. However, this is an excellent resource for any runner who wants to improve their running and understand the “why” of training and the use of different workouts and schedules over middle and long distances, including the marathon.
Lydiard influenced Bill Bowerman and though Bowerman developed his own training it was initially based on the work of Lydiard.
Hal Higdon's Half Marathon Training
Hal Higdon's
A good introduction to preparation for what has become the most popular distance for runners and walkers. While the book offers different training plans depending on your goals Hal promotes easier runs and rest days to get you to the starting line. Pace on Saturday and the long run on Sunday with room for personal flexibility.
He interjects his advice with stories from regular folks who had a dream of running 13.1 miles and what they did right and what got in their way of giving their best.
Galloway's 5K/10K Running
Jeff Galloway
I've included this book as Jeff's approach is a combination of run/walk workouts. His approach is gentle but progressive. I've used walking and running intervals in the same workout when recovering from an injury in the past. But his approach takes it to a whole new level.
His training also involves a lot of slow running. If you're a competitive or aggressive runner then you'll likely find Jeff's recommendations a little hard to swallow and stick to. Just remember his audience is one of low-risk and staying injury free rather than shooting for PB at every race.
This book is popular with the mature running groups on Facebook, but it's good for anybody just starting.
Marathon: The Ultimate Training Guide
Hal Higdon
For those who have read my book, the marathon has involved my toughest races. I still think I have a Boston qualifying time in me as it's on my bucket list. Hal knows the jump from the half-marathon distance to the full marathon is exponential. But the training and preparation don't have to be - nor for novices should it be. This journey with Hal covers not just training but injury prevention and nutrition, and as a guide to help you though each of the factors you have a great coach in your corner.
The Joy Of Running
Thaddeus Kostrubala, MD
Dr. Kostrubala was a psychiatrist who took up running to get in shape but found it provided a high fitness level for him and a new lease on life. Initially published in 1975 and updated a few times, it chronicles the doctor’s experience in his transformation and how he used it to help others. It's an easy and positive read influenced by an era where running had reached its height in the popular press. While the book shares aspects of metabolic factors and covers Target Heart Rate (THR) as an element of assisting with training, it isn’t a book about the scientific aspects of running.
Get Your Butt Out Of The Door
Randy Step
The subtitle of this book is "A 365-Day Motivational Runner's Companion." While Randy's number one priority is to give you the "poke" to get you out the door and run during all seasons he interlaces each daily entry with his personal outlook on running and life. It's an easy read and many of his running (and life) philosophies I echo in my book. Like me, he has his pet peeves, which are not the same as mine, but overall he manages to mix sage advice sprinkled with a sense of humor to ensure you don't take the ups and downs of a running year too seriously.
Run For Joy
Clifford Calderwood
"Run for Joy" is taking my decades of running experience and turning it into 10 simple strategies to give greater delight in both your running and enjoyment of life.
In an era where we're prone to overcomplicate and overthink everything we do - especially exercise - I felt a contribution that simplified the art and joy of running and put the word "joy" back into it would hit the mark with those who run for joy. If you’re a beginner or somebody in need of a reset to get the spark and fun back into your exercise then this book is aimed at you.
Running is My Therapy
Scott Douglas
Personally, I know I use running as a therapy - it keeps me on an even keel in my life. But Scott has put together a book of substances around running and its use to cope with stress, anxiety, and depression. Taking his case and detailing much research, he presents examples and lessons of how people have used running to process thoughts differently and help them manage their diagnosis. But he also has plenty of advice for those just wanting to run because they enjoy it.
Running with Mindfulness
William Pullen
If mindfulness is something that floats your boat, then you should probably pick up a copy of this book. William is a UK-based psychotherapist, and there's a boatload of information and worksheets within the pages.
My exposure to mindfulness is limited, and to mindfulness running - nil. But I do understand there's two aspects/level. There's the formal meditation type session, and then the more living a mindful life which is something to aspire to.
Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain
John J. Ratey, MD
Dr. Ratey is a psychiatrist who has studied and documented the positive impact of exercise on his patients and others. The book explores the science behind why and how exercising can replace or combine with prescription drugs as a treatment for several mental health issues. Although not limited to running as the exercise of choice, if you’ve been running for any length of time, you’ll connect with his descriptions of why it helps. It’s one of the rare books I’ve read that provides the science and explanations to support much of my intuitive feelings on how exercise has helped me cope with life's daily stress and anxiety.
The Enlightened Gardener
Sydney Banks
What’s a philosophy book doing in a list of running books? It was written as a parable; it introduced me to the “three principles” concepts around how our thoughts and feelings and mind operate and how life works from inside to out.
Throughout my book, I allude to how joy in our running can help us enjoy our life, and this provides an articulate read around the mechanics of how to think through these concepts and the implications for you.
Running & Being
Dr. George Sheehan
A welcome book that’s a break from traditional running books that are biographies or training manuals. It’s a series of articles grouped into topics, where Dr. Sheehan shares his musings and philosophies about running and life, and his own personal growth. There's plenty here to make you chuckle and even scratch your head as he freely litters his ramblings with classical Greek with NY jargon.
While I can’t relate to many of his personal views on running, that didn’t stop my enjoyment of the read, and it’s by being open-minded; we grow, and he certainly forces you to consider a broader vision for your running which is something I advocate as well.
The Runner's Guide to the Meaning of Life
Amby Burfoot
Quote "First, we try to run faster. Then we try to run harder. Then we learn to accept ourselves and our limitations, and at last, we can appreciate the true joy and meaning of running."
The above quote is from the back cover of this book and just about says it all for me. This little book includes many lessons and insights from various topics and genres to link your running with life. I feel a kindred spirit in the book I wrote with this one.
Creator
Steve Chandler
If you don’t consider yourself a “creative” individual, be prepared to have that thought run down by Mack-truck arguments! Steve takes you through his journey to rediscover his creative veins. When I talk about creative workouts in my book Steve is the reason I have the confidence we can all do it.
Steve provides plenty of exercises to get your creative juices flowing and you'll be able to make the leap to its use in your running sessions. Witty and entertaining but thought-provoking for anybody who feels when they were dishing out “creativity,” they were absent, goofing off, and enjoying themselves.
Atomic Habits
James Clear
Released in 2018, this quickly became one of the most popular books on building habits. Clear focuses on the strength of making small changes and building on them incrementally - like the power of compound interest. He is pragmatic in his presentation, which appeals to me anyway.
There's a journal and workbook sold separately, but I would purchase this paperback first before deciding on additional investment.
If you're reading this review, then you've decided you can do better on some of your habits, and it's an easy read and will be a reference book for the future as well.
The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business
Charles Duhigg
If you ask anybody obsessed with habits, they will likely mention this book as one they read. Whether they liked it depends on whether they looked to have the author take out their brain and scrub it clean of bad habits. These folks want a quick-fix in a quick-fix society.
But habits don't work like that - you have to want to change and be involved in the process. There is a science - or neuroscience actually - about it. In the first section of the book, Duhigg uses his investigative reporting experience to dissect what is going on.
There's a plethora of free articles available on the Internet about habits but here are a few worth a read and include other resources with good advice that won't cost you a penny to read but still need effort to implement.