Running: A Global History Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I highly recommend this book - it provides a good overview of the development of running.
However, this is an unusual and idiosyncratic book; if a specific topic interests the author, he writes a chapter about it.I would have liked to see more on the business of running after 1990 - more on shoe company economics and how elite runners make money and less on running gurus. The prose style is also very stilted at times, but this may be more a function of the translator. Still, well worth it.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Running: A Global History

In the past decade, the number of Americans who consider themselves runners more than doubled—in 2008, more than 16 million Americans claimed to have run or jogged at least 100 days in the year. Though now running thrives as a convenient and accessible form of exercise, it is no surprise to learn that the modern craze is not truly new; humans have been running as long as they could walk. What may be surprising however are the myriad reasons why we have performed this exhausting yet exhilarating activity through the ages. In this humorous and unique world history, Thor Gotaas collects numerous unusual and curious stories of running from ancient times to modern marathons and Olympic competitions. Amongst the numerous examples that illustrate Gotaas's history are King Shulgi of Mesopotamia, who four millennia ago boasted of running from Nippur to Ur, a distance of not less than 100 miles. Gotaas's account also includes ancient Egyptian pharaohs who ran to prove their vitality and maintain their power, Norwegian Vikings who exercised by running races against animals, as well as little-known naked runs, bar endurance tests, backward runs, monk runs, snowshoe runs, and the Incas' ingenious infrastructure of professional runners.
The perfect gift for the sprinter, the marathoner, or the daily jogger, this intriguing world history will appeal to all who wish to know more about why the ancients shared our love—and hatred—of this demanding but rewarding pastime.

Click here for more information about Running: A Global History

Read More...

Triathlon Training Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I had never done anything even close to a triathlon, so this book took me step by step from day one to race day. I followed their 12 week program that prepared me for a successfull race. Great tips, great questions answered for those who don't have a clue, AND the book advances from newbie to elite with it's training if you chose to do another race.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Triathlon Training


No matter what distances you're training for, Triathlon Training offers expert guidance for improving your racing from start to finish. Triathlon Training contains six race-specific programs—two for sprint distances, two for Olympic distances, one for the half Ironman, and one for the Ironman. The sprint and Olympic programs include target race times to help you choose the best program for yourself, based on your ability level. It also details a 12-week, step-by-step, base-building program that you can use to work up to racing distances.

The instruction, time management tips, and drills in Triathlon Training will help you make the most effective use of each training day. Insights from athletes' profiles and information on nutrition, supplements, and equipment offer additional ways to maximize training as you prepare for competition. The book examines the most common triathlon injuries, offers advice on preventing those injuries, and details how to treat and recover from them, should they occur.

A full-color book with more than 200 photos, Triathlon Training was developed in consultation with USA Triathlon and the British Triathlon Association. Whether you are considering your first triathlon or are committing yourself to Ironman competition, this book will help put you on the path to a successful finish.

Click here for more information about Triathlon Training

Read More...

Timeless Running Wisdom Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Timeless Running Wisdom is a collection of two dozen essays that cover a wide variety of running topics. At first glance, some of the individual titles seem to contradict each other (Chapter 17: Run Alone; Chapter 18: Run Together), but taken as a whole the reader learns that very contradiction is inevitable and understandable. Anyone who wants to run successfully for decades needs to realize that there is a time to race and a time to run without a clock, a time to run regularly and a time to take time off. As I often tell students in my writing classes: the only rule is there are no rules.
Author Rich Benyo has a storied past in relation to distance running and is race director for a very well known marathon, and while 26.2 mile races are mentioned in the book they are not the focus. Indeed, the lessons therein can be used by professional ultra runners just as easily as by neighborhood 5K runners. In addition to the author's plainspoken wit and wisdom, a number of famous--and famously successful--runners (including Joe Henderson, Joan Benoit-Samuelson, and Dean Karnazes) contribute to different sections to add their own keen insight.
Each essay is neatly summarized with a few key points titled "For Your Consideration," and the book concludes with three very useful sections: glossary, running quotes, and a bibliography of other great reads. Whether it is read from start to finish or sampled like a high quality buffet, Rich Benyo's latest is destined to be a favorite and highly useful book no matter what kind of runner you are.
Resting on a small table by the side of my bed, Timeless Running Wisdom has helped me remember why I run, prodded me to slip out of my running outfit in order to volunteer and spectate at races, and even gotten me into my shoes and out the door on a few mornings when I might otherwise have slept in. This will be a reference book that I go back to regularly. It is a powerful motivator.


Click Here to see more reviews about: Timeless Running Wisdom


You run because you like the way it makes you feel in its best moments. You run with a goal of success and satisfaction. Wouldn't you like to tap into those feelings more often?



In Timeless Running Wisdom, longtime runner and author Rich Benyo takes you on a journey spanning the trends of the sport and the approaches, concepts, and methods that have bred success and satisfaction across generations of runners. Discover how to embrace simplicity; change up routes, distances, and terrains; keep your running in proportion to the rest of your life; and create your own adventure runs. It's all here—practical, compelling, and fantastic.



On this quest of rediscovery, you'll be joined by an all-star array of world- and national-class runners with literally millions of miles of experience and wisdom, including:



• Kathrine Switzer

• Roger Robinson

• Joe Henderson

• Bill Rodgers

• Dean Karnazes

• Amby Burfoot

• Joan Benoit-Samuelson



Through their personal stories, insights, and advice, they illustrate the essence of running success and satisfaction and guide you to achieving your every running goal. With this unique perspective you'll find the tools and the maps to run longer, safer, and better.



The ultimate runner's toolbox, Timeless Running Wisdom is also your GPS to the world's oldest sport. Read this book and you will remember why you fell in love with running in the first place.

Click here for more information about Timeless Running Wisdom

Read More...

ChiRunning: A Revolutionary Approach to Effortless, Injury-Free Running Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)What an interesting running book! Buy this book if you:
-would like to be able to run well into your old age
-would like to improve your running form and have fewer injuries
-would like to have a more philosophical approach to your running
-would like to increase your overall health
Here's how the book roughly pans out:
-Chapter 1: compares power running to ChiRunning
-Chapter 2: goes into the 5 principles upon which TaiChi and ChiRunning are based
-Chapter 3: gets into the "inner" skills of ChiRunning
As you can see, the first 3 chapters lay out the philosopical foundation- that's so when you get to the specific techniques, they make sense.
Chaper 4: learn about the ChiRunning "focuses"- which are the specific physical and mental methods used to run more efficiently.
Chapters 5-9: covers program development, peak performance training and diet. Note: Chapter 7 also covers some info on common injuries such as muscle cramps, plantar fasciitis (also rec. The 5-Minute Plantar Fasciitis Solution for more info on this), heel cord problems.
Chapter 10: how to incorporate the ChiRunning principles into your everyday life
As you can tell, ChiRunning, with its mind-body approach, is far from your typical book on running- and shouldn't be missed by any serious runner. Happy trails.


Click Here to see more reviews about: ChiRunning: A Revolutionary Approach to Effortless, Injury-Free Running

Click here for more information about ChiRunning: A Revolutionary Approach to Effortless, Injury-Free Running

Read More...