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Books > Sport & Leisure > Sports & outdoor recreation > Track & field sports, athletics > Cross-country running
Shortlisted for the William Hill Sports Book of the Year In the summer of 1952 Emil Zatopek became the king of the running world with an unprecedented distance treble at the Olympic Games in Helsinki. Together with his wife Dana, who won another gold medal in the javelin, they were the embodiment of sporting romance. Born on the same day, they were champions on the same day too. Yet in 1968 this affable but eccentric Czech solider was betrayed by his Communist paymasters and cast out into wilderness. Hidden from world view, monitored by the secret police and forced to live in a caravan in mining country, he became the invisible hero. Endurance is the first biography to document the remarkable rise, fall and rehabilitation of a man voted the 'greatest runner of all time' by Runner's World. It is also the story of a golden age of sport played out against a backdrop of Cold War politics and paranoia. From the London Olympics of 1948 to Czech concentration camps, this is an uplifting and harrowing story of survival. As Emil rises to global fame, his old coach is locked up and tortured by StB henchmen. Their diverging paths expose the fickleness of popularity and eventually cross again when Zatopek's world is torn asunder. All both men can do is endure. Due to extensive access to those involved, including Dana herself, Broadbent has written a vivid history involving blood and guns and a love that sustained the cruellest twists of fate. From heady nights at White City to the brave resistance during the Prague Spring, this is a book that plants the son of a carpenter at the very centre of a revolution. Whether talking to his rivals on the track or Red Army troops as tanks roll into Prague, Zatopek's humanity shines through and carries all.
Running: Cheaper than Therapy is a witty and expertly compiled compendium of running wisdom and humour. From fantastic running quotes (`How do you know if someone ran a marathon? Don't worry, they'll tell you.' -Jimmy Fallon) and hilarious spectator signs (`Worst parade ever!') to witty potted profiles of different types of runners (charity muggers, gadget gurus and inexplicably good old dears) and PB-busting training tips, Running: Cheaper than Therapy is designed to be the perfect gift for the runner, jogger or triathlete in your life. Written by a Telegraph and Guardian journalist and self-confessed running nut, this smartly packaged and brilliantly knowing miscellany details entertaining, real-life runners' stories (being overtaken by a kid/OAP or getting lost while training) and takes a humorous look at the mistakes runners make (wearing a brand new pair of trainers for half marathon or getting so pumped by your morning run you have arguments with everyone at work).
Running Adventures Scotland by Ross Brannigan contains 25 inspirational and fun running routes, the majority of which are between 10 and 29 kilometres in length, exploring the best of the Highlands and the Lowlands. Running in Scotland is all about being immersed in the landscape - whether you're up high on a ridge, on a tranquil forest track or negotiating a technical descent - it all adds up to be an unforgettable experience. This book will open up adventures for you across Scotland - follow in the footsteps of runners on the route of the Pentland Skyline Race, enjoy an epic day out on the stunning Sgurr na Stri on Skye or tackle the iconic Ring of Steall. The runs are organised into five geographical areas; there is also a bonus section with three longer routes (ranging from 63 to 153 kilometres), for those looking to take their running to the next level on a longer or multi-day adventure. Each route includes all the information you need to help you plan your run, interesting background information about the local area, types of terrain covered, and refreshment recommendations, in addition to detailed directions, stunning photography and overview mapping. Downloadable GPX files of the routes are also available. There are also suggestions for other routes in the area, information on relevant conservation organisations as well as a quote from a local runner to add context to the route. Let Running Adventures Scotland take you on an unforgettable journey around the best of Scotland's stunning landscapes.
"Designed to coach us to see running as a spiritually enriching activity that connects us to our breath, body and the natural world." - Healthy - Holland & Barrett magazine "In this beautifully illustrated book, author Tessa Wardley meditates on the holistic nature of running through 25 focused reflections offering meaningful insights that every runner will value and remember" - Your Healthy Living "An inspiring guide to cheer you on through the ups and downs of running." - Fit & Well Mindful Thoughts for Runners explores the ways in which running offers us an opportunity to deepen our levels of awareness, lifting our souls as well as our endorphin levels! Part of the Mindful Thoughts series, this beautifully illustrated little book meditates on all aspects of running, including: Running rituals The running community Running for charity Dealing with injury The power of breath Listening to the body . . . and much more Running can be a spiritually enriching activity, as well as a physical one-reconnecting us to our breath, our bodies, and the natural world around us with every steady step. Author and environmentalist Tessa Wardley meditates on the holistic nature of running, through 25 focused reflections offering meaningful insights that every runner from barefoot to track will value and remember. If you like this, you might also be interested in Mindful Thoughts for Walkers . . .
Put on your running shoes - it's time to hit the road, the trails and the great outdoors. In this comprehensive runner's companion, you'll find 50 of the world's greatest running routes - from short city runs and must-do marathons to cross-country trails and challenging ultras - plus a further 150 courses around the globe to satisfy runners of all abilities. Each run is accompanied by stunning photos and a map and toolkit of practical details - where to start and finish, how to get there, where to stay and more - to help you plan the perfect trip. Suggestions for similar runs around the world are also included. Organised by continent, Lonely Planet's Epic Runs of the World takes runners past giraffes, zebras and rhinos in Africa, along courses the length of Vancouver's Stanley Park Seawall in the Americas, offers spectacular views of Hong Kong from Victoria Peak in Asia and jogs along Rome's Tiber River in Europe, while inviting athletes to push themselves to the limit in Oceania's Blue Mountains Ultra. Runs in Africa include: The Lewa Safari Marathon (Kenya) Marathon Des Sables (Morocco) The Great Ethiopian Run The Comrades Ultramarathon (South Africa) Run in the Americas include: The Big Sur Marathon (USA) Havana's El Malecon (Cuba) Rio at Dawn (Brazil) An Illuminating Ascent in La Paz (Bolivia) Runs in Asia include: The Great Wall Marathon (China) Angkor Wat Half Marathon (Cambodia) A Temple Ascent in Pokhara (Nepal) Kyoto's Riverside (Japan) Runs in Europe include: Amalfi Coast's Path of the Gods (Italy) A Classic Fell Run in the Lakes (England) The Athens Marathon (Greece) Dublin's Wild Side (Ireland) Runs in Oceania include: Great Ocean Road Marathon (Australia) The Kepler Track (New Zealand) Freycinet Peninsula (Tasmania) A Ghost Run in Waihi Gorge (New Zealand) About Lonely Planet: Lonely Planet is a leading travel media company and the world's number one travel guidebook brand, providing both inspiring and trustworthy information for every kind of traveller since 1973. Over the past four decades, we've printed over 145 million guidebooks and grown a dedicated, passionate global community of travellers. You'll also find our content online, on mobile, video and in 14 languages, 12 international magazines, armchair and lifestyle books, ebooks, and more.
With off-road running, the ability of knowing where you are going is a fundamental skill. Unfortunately for many runners the secrets of navigation are akin to the secrets of the dark arts of black magic. Specifically with the runner in mind, this book presents in an easy to understand manner all the skills and techniques that are required for the beginner through to the advanced user. 'Navigation for Off-Road Runners' will give you the confidence to go further.
It's no secret that if you plan to run in the toughest endurance races, you need to physically prepare for the extreme demands you will be subjecting your body to. But successful runners will be quick to note that physical preparation is only part of the equation. You need to be mentally strong to withstand, and overcome, the challenges of this grueling sport. That's where Mental Training for Ultrarunning comes in. Sport psychology consultant Addie Bracy has coached and provided mental performance consulting to elite athletes in many sports, and she herself has been a competitive distance runner for more than two decades. In Mental Training for Ultrarunning, she combines her firsthand coaching and running experience, along with profiles of ultrarunners who've experienced the highs and lows of the sport, to explain what you need to know and practice in order to cross that finish line. In this book, you will learn tools and techniques to help you prepare for and overcome some of the biggest mental and emotional challenges you may encounter in ultrarunning. You'll find more than 35 practical activities that will guide you in taking an introspective look at your own potential roadblocks so you can develop and strengthen the skills you need to run with confidence. Whether you're training for your first ultra or looking to compete at a higher level, Mental Training for Ultrarunning will prepare you for the good, the bad, and the worst experiences you might encounter on the trail, road, or track. With expert guidance from athletes who have seen it all, you'll learn how to train your mind and anticipate all the variables that could keep you from achieving your ultimate running goals.
This is a celebration of running, and what lots of us think about when we run. Part escape, part self-discovery, part therapy, part fitness. Part simple childlike joy of running when you could be walking. Vassos Alexander shares the highs and lows of falling in love with running, from his first paltry efforts to reach the end of his street to completing ultra marathons and triathlons in the same weekend. Each of the 26.2 chapters also features a fascinating insight into how others first started, from Paula Radcliffe to Steve Cram, the Brownlees to Jenson Button, Nicky Campbell to Nell McAndrew. Funny, inspiring, honest - the perfect read for anyone with well-worn trainers by the door (or thinking of buying a pair...).
'Quite simply, it contains the tools to make you a better runner. Make space on your bookshelf for this timeless, classic marathon manual.' -Paul Tonkinson 'Drawing on decades of running and coaching experience, Murphy provides a current resource that long-distance runners are sure to return to time and again' -Booklist Learn how to run your best marathon and get the most out of your training. There's no shortage of advice out there on how to train for a marathon and yet it can be hard to know what will work best for you. Run Your Best Marathon is here to change all that with the expertise of running coach Sam Murphy. Whether you're looking to step up to the marathon for the first time or to better previous performances over the distance, Sam's runner-centred approach will help you prepare for and race your chosen marathon to the best of your ability. Choose from six training plans, each pitched at a different level of mileage, intensity and experience. The plans are backed up by a wealth of essential information and advice on how to train, race, eat and recover. Learn how to: - assess yourself and set a realistic goal - adjust your diet to optimise training and recovery - get your brain onside to resist fatigue and overcome discomfort - stay healthy during training and respond to injuries - master the skill of racing.
This book describes and analyzes the levels of experience that long-distance running produces. It looks at the kinds of experiences caused by long-distance running, the dimensions contained in these experiences, and their effects on the subjective life-world and well-being of an individual. Taking a philosophical approach, the analysis presented in this book is founded on Maurice Merleau-Pontys phenomenology of the body and Martin Heideggers fundamental ontology. Running is a versatile form of physical exercise which does not reveal all of its dimensions at once. These dimensions escape the eye and are not revealed to the runner conceptually, but rather as sensations and emotions. Instead of concentrating on conceptual analysis, this book explores the emotions and experiences and examines the meaning that running has in runners lives. Using the participative method, in which the author is both the research subject and the researcher, the book contributes to the philosophy of physical exercise.
Sunday Times Sports Book of the Year Shortlisted for the William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award Winner - Best New Writer category at the British Sports Book Awards After years of watching Kenyan athletes win the world's biggest long-distance races, Runner's World contributor Adharanand Finn set out to discover what it was that made them so fast - and to see if he could keep up. Packing up his family, he moved to Iten, Kenya, the running capital of the world, and started investigating. Was it running barefoot to school, the food, the altitude, or something else? At the end of his journey he put his research to the test by running his first marathon, across the Kenyan plains. This edition includes a new chapter covering the 2012 Olympics.
In this book for runners and walkers, Olympian Jeff Galloway offers an easy, time-efficient method for training for a 5K or 10K. Using Galloway's proven Run Walk Run (R) method, the reader will gain control over fatigue while reducing or eliminating aches and pains. Detailed training schedules help beginners finish each training session strong, and time goal programs help advanced runners shave time off their finishes. In addition to the training plans, Galloway provides easy-to-read advice on medical checkups, nutrition for runners, fat-burning workouts, choosing appropriate running shoes, and how to stay motivated. With the race day checklist, every runner will be prepared for the big day, reducing the stress that happens before a runner's first race. With this book, all runners, at any level, will reduce fatigue and finish each race strong!
In the 1960s, Bruce Kidd was one of Canada's most celebrated athletes. As a teenager, Kidd won races all over the globe, participated in the Olympics, and started a revolution in distance running and a revival in Canadian track and field. He quickly became a symbol of Canadian youth and the subject of endless media coverage. Although most athletes of his generation were cautioned to keep their opinions to themselves, Kidd took it upon himself to speak out on the problems and possibilities of Canadian sport. Encouraged by his parents and teammates, Kidd criticized the racism and sexism of amateur sport in Canada, the treatment of players in the National Hockey League, American control of the Canadian Football League, and the uneven coverage of sports by the media - and he continues to fight for equity to this day. After retiring from his career as an athlete, Kidd became a well-known advocate for gender and racial justice and an academic leader at the University of Toronto. Depicting a Canadian sport legend's journey of joy, discovery, and activism, this memoir bears witness to the remarkable changes Bruce Kidd has lived through in more than seventy years of participation in Canadian and international sports.
An electrifying look inside the wild world of extreme distance running. Once the reserve of only the most hardcore enthusiasts, ultra running is now a thriving global industry, with hundreds of thousands of competitors each year. But is the rise of this most brutal and challenging sport—with races that extend into hundreds of miles, often in extreme environments—an antidote to modern life, or a symptom of a modern illness? In The Rise of the Ultra Runners, award-winning author Adharanand Finn travels to the heart of the sport to investigate the reasons behind its rise and discover what it takes to join the ranks of these ultra athletes. Through encounters with the extreme and colorful characters of the ultramarathon world, and his own experiences of running ultras everywhere from the deserts of Oman to the Rocky Mountains, Finn offers a fascinating account of people testing the boundaries of human endeavor.
How does the simple act of running make us human? As a form of enskilled movement that shapes how we perceive our surroundings, running enacts a mindful bodily engagement with the world, an engagement that generates our very minds through perceptual learning. Thomas F. Carter examines the interrelated aspects of a runner's being-mind, body, and environs-to illustrate that the skillful act of locomotion is one of principle ways that we as human beings become integral parts of the larger world. Synthesizing recent developments in neuroscience, anthropology, and philosophy of mind, On Running proves there is more to running than merely clocking up the miles.
For any runner considering training for a half marathon, author Jeff Galloway can help them prepare to train, enjoy training, and cross the finish line strong. In this book, the author outlines for each runner how to select a realistic goal and what workouts to use to best prepare for the race. He includes tips for staying motivated while at the same time eliminating aches, pains, and injuries. He also assures the runner that his training will not consume the runner's time so that they can train successfully while still enjoying other aspects of life. The author's successful and unique run-walk-run training method has helped thousands of average people train for half marathons, even if they have never run before. Using this program, even veteran runners can improve their personal bests. With this book, every runner will be given a step-by-step guide on setting up their training each week so that they will finish the half marathon strong.
The 40 routes in this guidebook offer some of the best trail running, fell running and sky running routes in the Lake District National Park, one of the world's great mountain running regions. Each route has been carefully graded to indicate terrain and difficulty so that the runner can select a route that suits their ability or aspirations for the day. Routes range from 5 miles to 21 miles, and include classics such as the Helvellyn skyline, Langdale Horseshoe, Borrowdale and Scafell Pike direct. Detailed route descriptions and OS map extracts accompany each route, along with key facts, including distance, ascent, descent, timings, maps, transport and parking. There is a useful introduction explaining the history of trail and fell running in the Lake District, along with advice about the best bases for a trail running holiday, equipment and adapting to running off road. There is a rich history of mountain running in the UK, and for many the Lake District is the spiritual home of fell running. Whether you want to follow the course of some of the classic fell races, or explore some of the quieter corners of the national park, the aim of this book is to inspire you to enjoy this thrilling sport in one of its greatest playgrounds.
LONGLISTED FOR THE WILLIAM HILL SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARD 2021 LONGLISTED FOR THE RSL ONDAATJE PRIZE 2021 'Inspiring' The Guardian 'Excellent' Runner's World 'Fascinating' Publishers Weekly 'Brilliant' Ed Vaizey 'Through reading this book you will come to understand that the heart and soul of running are to be found in Ethiopia.' Haile Gebrselassie 'Engaging, warm and humane... A delight' TLS 'Full of wonderful insights and lessons from a world where the ability to run is viewed as something almost mysterious and magical.' Adharanand Finn, author of Running with the Kenyans 'Ethiopia is a place where I have been told that energy is controlled by angels and demons and where witchdoctors can help you to acquire another runner's power. It is a place where an anonymous runner in the forest told me, miming an imaginary scoreboard and with a completely straight face, that he had dreamt that he would run 10km in 25 minutes. It is a place where they tell me that the air at Mount Entoto will transform me into a 2.08 marathon runner. It is a place, in short, of wisdom and magic, where dreaming is still very much alive.' Why does it make sense to Ethiopian runners to get up at 3am to run up and down a hill? Who would choose to train on almost impossibly steep and rocky terrain, in hyena territory? And how come Ethiopian men hold six of the top ten fastest marathon times ever? Michael Crawley spent fifteen months in Ethiopia training alongside (and sometimes a fair way behind) runners at all levels of the sport, from night watchmen hoping to change their lives to world class marathon runners, in order to answer these questions. Follow him into the forest as he attempts to keep up and get to the heart of their success.
1001 Running Tips by Robbie Britton is a light-hearted and informative guide to all kinds of running. This is no standard instruction manual - it is much more useful than that. This is a huge collection of small tips to make a real difference to your running, whether you're just starting out and aiming to run for 30 minutes without stopping or if you're training for your first marathon - this book will improve your running. The myriad of topics featured include starting out, setting goals, training plans, injury, nutrition, safety, kit, running with your dog, navigation, sleep deprivation, running in all weathers, racing, fell running and music. Robbie's unique and accessible style will keep you entertained and, most importantly, he'll motivate you to keep enjoying running, overcome obstacles getting in your way and to become the best runner you can!
Welcome to Japan, the most running-obsessed nation on earth, where: a long-distance relay race is the country's biggest annual sporting event; companies sponsor their own running teams, paying the athletes like employees; and marathon monks run a thousand marathons in a thousand days to reach spiritual enlightenment. Adharanand Finn - award-winning author of Running with the Kenyans - moved to Japan to discover more about this unique running culture and what it might teach us about the sport and about Japan. As an amateur runner about to turn forty, he also hoped find out whether the Japanese approach to training might help him keep improving. What he learned - about competition, about team work, about beating your personal bests, about form and about himself - will fascinate anyone who is keen to explore why we run, and how we might do it better.
Shortlisted for the 2015 Thwaites Wainwright prize for nature writing Richard Askwith wanted more. Not convinced running had to be all about pounding pavements, buying fancy kit and racking up extreme challenges, he looked for ways to liberate himself. His solution: running through muddy fields and up rocky fells, running with his dog at dawn, running because he's being (voluntarily) chased by a pack of bloodhounds, running to get hopelessly, enjoyably lost, running fast for the sheer thrill of it. Running as nature intended. Part diary of a year running through the Northamptonshire countryside, part exploration of why we love to run without limits, Running Free is an eloquent and inspiring account of running in a forgotten, rural way, observing wildlife and celebrating the joys of nature. An opponent of the commercialisation of running, Askwith offers a welcome alternative, with practical tips (learned the hard way) on how to both start and keep running naturally - from thawing frozen toes to avoiding a stampede when crossing a field of cows. Running Free is about getting back to the basics of why we love to run.
This book documents short stories of inspirational local runners who were involved in the creation of Sundown Marathon or had participated and succeeded in the night race. Featuring the likes of Adrian Mok, Mok Ying Ren, Neo Jie Shi and many others, this collection features stories that uncover some of their own personal journeys and insights into their running experiences. By showcasing how these runners persevere in search of success, it is hoped that this book can inspire others to overcome their challenges and achieve their dreams. Runnerdotes: A Collection of Anecdotes from Inspirational Runners is a tribute to those who helped shape the running scene in Singapore.
Renowned running authority, coach, and best-selling author Pete Pfitzinger teams with Philip Latter, senior writer for "Running Times," in this must-have training guide for the most popular race distances, including the 5K, 10K, and half marathon. "Faster Road Racing: 5K to Half Marathon" presents easy-to-follow programs proven to give you an edge in your next race. You'll discover detailed plans for race-specific distances as well as expert advice on balancing training and recovery, cross-training, nutrition, tapering, and training over age 40. And for serious runners who compete in numerous races throughout the year, Pfitzinger's multi-race, multi-distance training plans are invaluable. "Faster Road Racing" is your all-inclusive resource on running your fastest at distances of 5K, 8K to 10K, 15K to 10 miles, and the half marathon.
Improve Your Marathon and Half Marathon Running is an accessible, jargon-free guide for athletes committing to improving their running at either distance. It provides valuable advice in increasing competition experience and structuring more advanced training programmes. The book covers: training plans and principles; evolving training programmes as a runner's experience increases; methods for cross-training in other disciplines; principles for athletes to examine the biomechanics of their running to improve performance; benefits of coaching, and finally, training case histories of successful athletes. |
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