Best Running Books to Read in 2020

Whether you’re getting into running or have done it for years, you can learn a lot from the best running books! You’ll be surprised that there are hundreds of books about running available for your entertainment and information. But what types of books should you opt to invest in?

There are various categories to look into, with different authors providing unique insights and perspectives to keep you reaching goals. I compiled these into lists to help you out, so read on! I’ll show you the best running books you can buy now, as well as those released soon to be excited for.

A Buying Guide to the Best Running Books

There are a ton of benefits reading has to offer, from learning new information down to an excellent source of entertainment. You can also learn a lot in terms of comprehension and perspective, and if you’re a runner, you can set your mind with the exercise both in and out of the roads.

The question is: Of the many different books now available to purchase in bookstores and online, which one is most suitable for you? If you’re wondering how I came up with these lists, I based it on the following important factors:

1. Readability

If there’s one thing we look for in ANY type of book, it’s the ease of readability and understanding. The book should be readable AND visually appealing, with an interesting storyline or proper information. This will make it easier for all of us to follow as we continue flipping through the pages, absorbing information.

2. The Book’s Background

As a reader, we need to make sure that all the information and data we read is both reliable and honest. There should be credible research and data put into a book, or a sense of realness to it that still allows its to learn correctly. That way, we won’t worry about following the wrong advice.

3. The Illustrations

Good books should reflect the author’s ideas completely, from both texts to illustrations. Illustrations will be able to express the author more than words, explaining things and guiding runners in what to eat, where to run, as well as their posture. That’s why I like guides that come with interesting and understandable illustrations and photos.

4. Its Technicality

Not all of us are running experts, so technical terms and jargon can confuse many readers, especially beginners. I chose books that were understandable for beginners and had a glossary and explanation of technical terms were used. This makes the entire book more understandable for both beginners and experts.

3 Best Running Books For Motivation

I know how difficult it can be when stuck in a rut, demotivated to continue running. We tend to stop running because of a plateau, tragic situations, or just from laziness to get up! Whatever the reason is, there are a few books that can motivate you to continue training.

These books are biographies or true stories to help you get up and push to the limits!

1. Running With the Buffaloes by Chris Lear

Running with the Buffaloes gives you an inside look at the University of Colorado’s cross-country team and their unforgettable NCAA season. Lear gives you the riveting look in the achievements and heartaches of national contenders, to the team who won’t stop at anything to go beyond running limits.

Through looking into the eyes of professionals, it motivates everyone to pick themselves up after falls and rejections, may it be in the world of running or in other aspects of life. Learn all about the infamous team’s training and life stories both on the field and outside.

2. Born to Run by Christopher McDougall

Have you ever wondered what it was like to be an ultra-runner going around the world to take on more extreme trails and conditions?

Christopher McDougall sets out on an adventure and pens down his experiences in Born to Run! He takes readers everywhere, from the science labs of Harvard down to the freezing or sun-baked areas across North America, meeting ultra-runners who push their bodies over the limit. It then finishes with the climactic race in Copper Canyons, which has America’s best runners run against tribes.

This book will engage your mind and motivate your body, which is born to run!

3. My Life on the Run by Bart Yasso

Bart Yasso is one of the infamous running icons across the United States, who penned My Life on the Run. This book is a memoir filled with touching and hilarious bits n the challenges and rewards running gives.

Yasso recounts his ruling adventures all around the world, from freezing Antarctica down to Nepal where he was chased by one angry rhino! Besides his funny and motivational running stories, he also shows runners where the best marathons are worldwide, as well as advice on navigating the running logistics in different countries.

So if you’re interested in what it’s like running around foreign terrains, this one’s for you!

3 Best Running Books For Inspiration

Are you the type of person who LOVES to read novels and immerse yourself in the creative stories? You can find novels all about running to entertain and inspire you to lace up those shoes! I love reading these types of books during rest days to keep my passion for running alive, even when in bed.

While the stories may not be completely real, the stories can be, relating to how you feel.

1. The Running Dream by Wendelin Van Draanen

When Jessica learns that she won’t be able to run again, she learns to put herself together and dream even bigger than before! Written by the acclaimed author of Flipped, The Running Dream shows the nightmare many runners face and the inspiring story of how one girl got up despite it.

The book is inspirational, with many who can relate to it. When tragedy strikes, it isn’t the end of the world, but the beginning of a challenge to reach your goals. This is such a touching story many runners will learn from.

2. Once a Runner by John L. Parker Jr.

Once a Runner is inspired by Parker’s experience running as the collegiate champion.

It follows fictional character Quenton Cassidy, a competitive runner with the dream to run a four-minute mile. When he is only just a second away, the Vietnam War happens, which has affected his college’s athletic department and standing on the team. However, his running career doesn’t stop there despite giving up his scholarship!

Follow Cassidy’s story as he trains for the race of his life against history’s greatest miler. It will inspire you to surpass your limits, no matter the circumstances or what you’re up against.

3. HOHA’s In Love by Laurence Graham

Written by Laurence Graham, the story begins with Emmitt Bean, founder and coach of Hoboken Harriers, or HOHAs. Bean has dreamed of hosting the HOHAs cross-country championship, but life happens. However, it’s what Bean does with the circumstances that can make it even better.

This is a story of a dreamer, his love for the HOHAs, and a runner who joins him to achieve their dreams. And throughout Bean’s journey with one of the runners, they unexpectedly find love and learn how running can reveal secrets of passion and love. For all the romance fanatics out there, you’re going to enjoy every part of this book!

3 Best Running Books On Running Guides

Sure, not a lot of people would opt to go for training guides to wind themselves down during their weekends. However, these guides are well worth the investment for all types of runners.

These books teach you how to run even better, sharing tips and advice on how to fix your posture, create a program you love, and progress until you surpass goals! Plus, these books also share funny stories like typical runner mistakes, as well as motivate you with short stories from real runners.

1. Endure: Mind, Body, and the Curiously Elastic Limits of Human Performance by Alex Hutchinson

One of the must-needs of running is endurance, which can help improve your performance in any field. But did you know that there is so much more to endurance, which has NO limit? You’ll be able t achieve even more than what you think you’re capable of, and the book Endure can guide you.

Endure combines curving-edge science and an amazing story from Malcolm Gladwell and Alex Hutchinson. Through research, Hutchinson reveals how you can break physical barriers with the help of your mind. He shows more advice, backed-up data, and riveting stories of runners who have pushed themselves and their endurance beyond their limits.

2. Train Like a Mother by Sarah Bowen Shea

There are so many running guides for just about any type of person, from busy employees down to beginners who haven’t a clue on the sport. But there aren’t many books for mothers who want to get started with running. That’s why Sarah Bowen Shea published Train Like a Mother, with all the advice mothers need to lace up and run despite the busy schedule with the kids!

In this book, you get training plans for various distances, strength training, nutrition plans, as well as more advice busy women need for running to their multitasking schedules.

3. Brain Training For Runners by Matt Fitzgerald

We’re always scrambling for training plans that adhere to our needs and goals. With the many plans available in books and online, which is the one for you? Brain Training For Runners is a revolutionary training system that works both the mind and body to reach your goals!

Utilizing the eight-point brain training system by Fitzgerald, the book can help runners in the following:

It puts training to a whole new perspective, including examples, tips from top distance runners, and backed-up research to prove how our mind can work with our bodies to run better.

3 Best Running Book On Sports Nutrition

Just like training guides, not a lot of people would opt to reach for books on what they should eat to stay healthy. But for the runner, learning all about the right nutrition they need is crucial! With your body requiring good food to run, you’ll need to learn from such guides to avoid injuries and recover better to accomplish goals.

These sports nutrition books showcase a ton of recipes you can follow, as well as information about our bodies and what types of food and diets we should consider consuming.

1. Run Fast. Cook Fast. Eat Slow by Shalane Flanagan

Are you always on-the-go and have no time to cook, but need the proper nutrition for runs and everyday living? Olympian Shalane Flanagan and chef Elyse Kopecky join forces and share a fantastic cookbook filled with recipes that are quick and easy to do without having to sacrifice taste and flavors!

Regardless of what your status is in the running world, you can get wholesome, delicious meals to make your own. There are pre-run snacks, recovery meals, quick lunches, and dinner recipes for yourself or a family!

2. Diet Cults by Matt Fitzgerald

Diet Cults is written by Matt Fitzgerald, the bestselling author of Racing Weight. In this book, he exposes the half-truths and impossibilities of diets and their single right way to healthy eating.

Through backed-up data and research, he shows how popular fad diets like Atkins or the Four Hour Body isn’t the “one-way” to reaching your goals healthily. Fitzgerald also reveals ways to develop healthier and logical eating habits to help fuel your mind and body for runs. It’s an eye-opener for many runners who are looking into quick diets!

3. The Runner’s World Cookbook by the Editor’s of Runner’s World Maga

We all know how runners need proper nutrition to perform better, and what they consume has a direct influence on their runs. If you’re looking for the complete guide to cooking for healthier living as a runner, this cookbook is for you.

The cookbook combines easy and delicious recipes with performance-boosting nutrients to maximize performance and enhance the benefits these healthy dishes offer. You can reach any goal as a runner, from fueling up pre-runs to slimming down.

Top 7 Upcoming Running Books This 2020

Now that you know about the best running books available for you to read today, what should we expect for this year? There are a lot more books coming our way for the running industry, so watch out for these:

1. Science of Running by Chris Napier (February Publication)

Chris Napier is a physiotherapist in Athletics Canada with a Ph. D. In running biomechanics and injury prevention. Napier is also a leading biomechanics researcher who is used as an expert source for many of Runner’s World articles. He should not be confused with the popular blog of Steve Magness, or his book with the same name!

The Science of Running is complete with a lot of illustrations, fueling tips, exercise how-tos, as well as training programs. Furthermore, the book also utilizes and shares the latest research to answer the most common running-related queries, helping readers run farther and faster without more risks of running injuries.

2. Run to the Finish by Amanda Brooks (March Publication)

Not all of us have the dream of reaching huge breaking records or podium finishes. Many of us, especially beginners, just aim to run to the finish line and feel accomplished for reaching it. This book celebrates such runners from a relatable perspective from blogger Amanda Brooks.

This isn’t like most running books, but it offers the CASUAL runner advice, inspiration, and encouragement for any runner. It avoids any comparison traps and cheers on runners for owning their place in a pack, regardless of how far or near they are to their goals. This book’s goal is to find the lasting fulfillment not just on the finish line but in the journey of running itself.

3. Spirit Run by Noe Alvarez (March Publication)

It all started with the son to two Mexican immigrants who heard about Peace and Dignity Journeys. These are marathons that help renew the cultural connections all around North America! Upon finding this out, he dropped out of college and signed up for the adventure of his lifetime.

That son is Noe Alvarez, with Spirit Run being the account of the months he spent trekking from Canada to Guatemala with Native Americans who represented nine tribes, seeking brighter futures through the love of running, renewed relationships with lands they’ve explored, and self-exploration.

4. Running the Dream by Matt Fitzgerald (May Publication)

It all started with the son to two Mexican immigrants who heard about Peace and Dignity Journeys. These are marathons that help renew the cultural connections all around North America! Upon finding this out, he dropped out of college and signed up for the adventure of his lifetime.

That son is Noe Alvarez, with Spirit Run being the account of the months he spent trekking from Canada to Guatemala with Native Americans who represented nine tribes, seeking brighter futures through the love of running, renewed relationships with lands they’ve explored, and self-exploration.

5. Win At All Costs by Matt Hart (September Publication)

For those who have been loving the Nike Oregon Project drama from the past few years, then you’re going to love Matt Hart’s Win At All Costs! It gives you another perspective from Nike’s running program, as well as their major players and their win-at-all-costs methodology which helps the group climb to the top of the running world- All until it came crashing down recently.

Hart is a journalist who covered the Nike Oregon Project for the New York Times, so this book explains everything in even more detail for readers!

6. Bravey by Alexi Pappas (August Publication)

If you’re not familiar with Alexi Pappas yet, she’s an Olympic runner, filmmaker, an actress, and now, a soon-to-be author! Bravey is Pappas’ memoir titled after a word she created, which means “someone who replaces the can’t with a maybe, pursuing dreams regardless of what happens.”

This memoir-in-essays shows her reflection on her unconventional upbringing after she lost her mother to suicide. It also shows her Olympic ups and downs, and everything between them. Bravey by Alexi Pappas shows how just about anyone can dream, overcome, and chase their goals like a true “Bravey!”

7. No Human is Limited by Eliud Kipchoge (January 2021 Publication)

While this book will be out on exactly January 7, 2021, this still has to make a list for its amazing content. Eliud Kipchoge is the only runner who’s broken the two-hour marathon barrier and deserves the mention for his new book, No Human Is Limited.

This book will have you learn all about the formative years, the physical and mental training, as well as the philosophy of the author who redefines the possibilities for all runners. He is THE running philosopher with many insightful ideas you can learn from, whether from this book or his public and social media appearances.

Wrapping It Up

While you DO need to run to learn how to run, having books to guide you is a huge help! Through informative and inspiring books, it can get you up and running CORRECTLY, from your posture down to what you need to eat. Plus, they’re pretty entertaining to read during your rest days!

I hope that these lists on the best running books helped you find the right one! So get any of these books and get motivated and inspired to keep running.

Do you have any questions or want to share your running book reviews from this list? Share it in the comments section below, all your thoughts are much appreciated.