In two races in the summer of 2014, at nearly 41 Jo Pavey cemented her place as an icon for mums and runners everywhere. Her book captures the journey and the person behind the runner.
This Mum Runs, by Jo Pavey
Improve Your Marathon and Half Marathon Running, by David Chalfen
This is an excellent resource by the very knowledgeable running coach David Chalfen. It contains a profusion of excellent advice and guidance, taking the time to explain why certain approaches are likely to be successful in addition to rock-solid specifics on how to train effectively.
From Last to First, by Charlie Spedding
Charlie Spedding’s brilliant autobiography is a window into the thinking of someone who pushed himself to outstanding results against the odds.
The Man Inside the Machine, by Helen Summer
The story of Steve Edwards is one of an ordinary man who has achieved a remarkable feat. At 700 marathons and counting, at average 3:16 pace, Steve is a marvel of the running world. This approved biography gives an insight into the man and his journey.
Complete Running & Marathon Book
The Complete Running & Marathon Book is beautiful illustrated and a practical guide. It includes a wide range of valuable and well-explained exercises for strength, resistance and stretching exercises, and technique drills.
Twin Ambitions: My Autobiography, by Mo Farah
Mo Farah’s autobiography traces an astonishing journey, from an African childhood playing street football to the Olympic stadium in London for his second gold medal in seven days. We are given an insight into the life, thinking and motivation of ones of Britain’s greatest ever distance runners.
Why We Run, by Robin Harvie
This book made me wonder if there is perhaps a large intersection of ultra-runners and deep thinkers. It would be hard to know if there were a cause and effect here… whether the number of hours spent running such distances is likely to lead to profound contemplation, or whether the discipline of ultra-running itself is likely to appeal particularly to deep-thinking types. Or both.
Marathon Woman, by Kathrine Switzer
Kathrine Switzer deserves her name to be familiar to all distance runners, particularly female ones. She has had a profound impact on the sport at every level, from the mass participative to the elite. In this book she tells the tale of her experiences and dispels some of the myths that have followed her (and women’s running more widely) for decades.
How to Run, by Paula Radcliffe
This is a practical guide to running, jam-packed with useful information, from one of Britain’s greatest ever distance runners. It’s tricky to think of anyone better qualified to provide coaching hints and tips! This book is a useful reference for a wide audience, from beginners to much more experienced runners, all put together by Paula Radcliffe in a characteristic friendly, approachable and no-nonsense style.
Feet in the Clouds, by Richard Askwith
Richard Askwith’s window into the world of fell-running is a compelling and popular read for runners of many different breeds and terrains, perhaps because it reaches into the heart of why running so often becomes a passion and an obsession.