If on leaving a trailhead, you only glance at your watch to have an idea of when you need to be back, parts of this book will be for you.

If when crossing a desert valley, you wonder what it is like to run in the silence and solitude way out there, parts of this book will be for you.

If wading across a beaver pond during a run seemed the only logical thing to do, parts of this book will be for you.

If you ever thought of running fifty miles in one day, parts of this book will be for you.

If you sometimes went out after sunset for a run because you saw a cloudless sky and you wanted to run under a visible night sky, parts of this book will be for you.

If you need to be out there where running with pauses continues to be just as important as the occasional run with the stopwatch on, then "Run Gently Out There" is for you.

Go along with the author as he takes you on a run that is not about anyone in particular, rather it is about what makes running trails and ultramarathons become a love affair with being out there and how running becomes part of a way of living.

This book describes how me as the writer over a 6 month period in April 2011 miss out on running the London marathon through injury only to be given an amazing opportunity to get a place in the new York marathon. My story describes how as an individual who works as an IT consultant 5 days a week, leading a normal life, socially and the hard effort I put in over 6 months to achieve my goal of completing a marathon in under 4 hrs. I describe my training plan, diet, running gear, watch, alcohol intake during training, my goals, my mindset and beliefs. The book provides accurate and detailed run times taken from my training plan with average pace, calories burnt etc. The summary of this book is anybody can achieve their goal by putting their mind to it.

The Fuji Mountain Race, heralded as Japan's most difficult climbing race, is a 3,000-metre ascent over 21 kilometres of tarmac, gravel and volcanic rock. In 2011, Chris Pavey, a weekend runner from Brisbane, took on this challenge to raise money for charity, and in memory of his late sister in law, Christina. Running in solidarity with a nation shaken to its core by the worst earthquake and tsunami experienced in modern history, Chris confronts his own inner demons of self-doubt. Will people support his cause? Can he reach his fundraising target? Will his body hold strong against the injuries plaguing him? Getting to the start of the race was challenge enough, but now he has to finish it, and by doing so, provide a fitting memory for Christina. But Chris' story begins long before this one race, and encompasses so much more than just running. Faced with a bizarre illness preventing his body from digesting fat, he re-discovers the true worth of exercise and good nutrition. From cycling through Japan, to a security guard hold up in the Middle East; from running his first road race on the Gold Coast, to scrambling through the rainforest of Tropical North Queensland; his tales not only entertain but also inspire as he successfully learns how to combine his passion for endurance running with a desire to fundraise. In Running Against Time, Chris provides an unorthodox roadmap for others in their own endurance adventures and fundraising projects. With dedicated sections on how to train, how to overcome common running injuries, and how to fundraise, he will open your eyes to what lies out there waiting, and inspire even the most sedentary of us to pull on some runners.

Overthinking the Marathon is an intimate look at one man's preparation for his 21st marathon. Reading Overthinking the Marathon is like having Ray as your partner for a season of training, 17 weeks that culminate in the 2012 Cape Cod Marathon. Some days Ray talks about the nitty-gritty details, other days, it's about the things that make running interesting and fun, even - no, especially - when it hurts. Training for his marathon is important to Ray, but he leavens his obsessiveness with a dry humor that acknowledges that one mid-packer's race isn't going to change the world. "Ray Charbonneau insists he hasn't written a marathon guide, and he's right. Instead, he's loaning himself out as a thoughtful, veteran, and funny training partner. You couldn't find a better one as you get ready for your next 26.2-miler." -Amby Burfoot, 1968 Boston Marathon winner and Editor-At-Large, Runner's World "Marathon running is the easy part. It's the thinking that's the challenging part for the long-distance runner. Ray shares his internal dialogue with us as he readies himself for one more attempt at 26.2." -Dave Goodrich, the "Marathon Maine-iac" (Marathon Maniac #238) "Ray is the opposite of me: he's speedy, understands math, and cares about the weather. I have instructed his cat to keep him awake until he agrees to pace me." -Vanessa Rodriguez, author of The Summit Seeker: Memoirs of a Trail Running Nomad

A series of short running stories by an accomplished Midwestern runner, who has been running for over 50 years. The stories are inspiring for new runners and also for those runners who have been running for many years. The stories show how a running career evolves and begins with self and later encompasses family members, first son and daughter and latter grandchildren.

This book details how to start your running programme and specifically covers the steps necessary to tackle the 5k distance. This is an ideal distance to start with as it only requires on average 30 minutes of running Following the advice offered in this book will enable you to start running and be fit enough to be running a 5k race within 8 weeks. In this book you will find all the main areas that need to be covered to take someone from no running experience to being able to run 5k in a reasonable time. Topics such as, .The Benefits of running, .Preparation - the essentials, .Training - following the plan, .Racing - how to approach your first race, .Evaluating - taking stock of how you ran, .Injuries and how to prevent them, .Exercises - some essential ones for runners and more.... Following the simply laid out information will enable anyone to start running and enjoy the experience of entering their first 5k race.

'Run Therapy: A Bitter Sweet Guide to Running, Evolution and Ice Cream' is a short, personal parody of the 'zen and the art of.....' genre that doesn't quite succeed in not taking itself seriously. It's a tonic for all those who had hoped to get more out of running than they did. It wanders about, not entirely aimlessly, along one ordinary person's journey on foot through the lessons of history, evolution, quantum mechanics and ice cream. At times humorous, at others poetic, this small book tackles the big questions, and offers hope, encouragement and reasons to persevere with that seemingly indefensible folly: running. At the end, there is not just guiltless ice cream, but redemption, salvation and an invitation to some of life's greatest adventures.

Ipeaked: A Reluctant Runner's World is about my 30+ years and over 30,000 miles of running. It's not your typical runner's book since my passion is more about quality of life than running. I am truly a reluctant runner who embraces and enjoys the benefits of the world of running rather than the act. So if you're starting to run or are a seasoned runner or bicyclist: meet my guardian angels, race and train with me, share my life with family and friends, and learn a few things about running (run walk method, paying forward, training schedule, how not to run a marathon and more), cross training (biking and swimming), first triathlon, beginning road biking, and runner gift suggestions. I have mastered the balance of being competitive while adhering to a ?don't hurt yourself? training regimen. It seems to have worked since I'm still at college weight, my butt hasn't fallen off yet, and most of my family and friends are still talking to me.

Zen Track Rambling came about quite by chance: First, as a joyful account to capture the feelings I experienced during my long runs; and secondly, as a means to relieve the pain, depression, and general helplessness I felt during a long-term injury. My running journey has led me to extreme highs, but has also plunged me bipolar-like into the depths of depression. The journey began in Starved Rock State Park, outside of LaSalle, Illinois, in August 1999, when I was an expatriate in Australia working in the States for a spell. At sunrise, I'd run the trails before work, then share in a communal breakfast with my workshop colleagues; yet during the work day, I would drift and daydream. I was fifty-something, and felt disconnected, not knowing who I was or where I was headed. But I put my time to good use during those humdrum workshops: I'd scribble the memories from the day's run on scraps of paper The result of my ennui was an accumulation of paper scraps marked with ruminations of my daily runs. On my flight back to Australia, I gathered those scraps and magically scribed the poem "zen track rambling." The title of the poem, however, is unrelated to my morning runs on the Starved Rock trails even though they were the poem's inspiration; rather, zen track is a name my Australian running mates and I coined to describe a scorching hot, blustery bike path which runs along a railway line-and, which once hosted the infamous Ghan from Adelaide to Darwin-where we often hallucinated as we ran in 100 plus-degree temperatures. As I was living and working in Australia for quite some time, I made a few friends in the South Australian Writer's Workshop, notably Kim, who encouraged me to read "zen track rambling" in one of the Poetry Under The Pier reading sessions in Henley Beach. I remember my first poetry reading like it was yesterday. Somewhat unsure of myself, I drew a deep breath and bared my soul to the gathered throng of poetry lovers. The ensuing positive reception I received convinced me to continue to write down what I felt, envisioned, and/or hallucinated on my long runs. As the years went by, I ran hundreds of miles, maybe even thousands, and the word count accumulated along with those miles. Australia was where I also got into competitive racing. On the weekends, I ran 20 plus-mile endurance runs on the sands of Henley Beach. I ran the annual 30Km South Australian Road Runners Club race many times, but it became less and less of a challenge. I could no longer ignore thoughts of running a marathon I knew I had the distance in the bag since I was already running 20-plus mile runs each weekend on the beach. Completing that first marathon was just the beginning of my long-distance running career. Then, in June 2000, an injury crippled my running life. I had been training for the Corporate Cup, running with guys 20 years my junior and at their pace My 5K time was a sub-20 minutes Not bad for a fifty-year-old But every runner knows that speedwork takes a toll on the body, and running hardcore like that resulted in very painful sciatica. I felt discouraged and depressed, and those feelings became apparent in my writing. When I think back to that time, I realize that writing had become my therapy, my way to understand my own fears and to express a hope I did not yet feel. Many of my poems, particularly, "footsteps in the sand" not only reveal my physical pain but also the mental anguish I felt. When the pain from my injury subsided-it took six long months-I felt the adrenaline urge again, but this time I replaced competitive racing with slow, long-distance running. Similarly, my writing style also changed: I started to write how I felt during those long runs in the form of race reports-instead of poetry-to memorialize my ultra-marathon experiences. My running life had finally pushed me forward into positive places on the trails and my spirit of running was renewed.

When in your life were you the most motivated, focused and successful? Many people find that revisiting their past success in life can be encouraging and helpful as they face their current struggles in life. For Daniel Grant, it is his last option. Daniel Grant is a seventeen year old senior in high school in the year of 1996. He hopes to be elected as the captain of the Cross Country running team because he has some extreme goals set for the team. The wild journey and success that Dan and his teammates go through during his senior year is told by Daniel Grant as a thirty-two year old, soaked in years of drunkenness and hoping that recalling the story of his successful senior year of running in High School can help him overcome drinking and become healthy again so he can provide for his wife and three children. "Running is the answer to an indefinite number of questions, the cause of countless pains, and a constant friend as I venture through life." -- Daniel Grant "Running used to be at the forefront of so much happiness in my life, and I crave for it to be so again." -- Daniel Grant

F is for Fun in this lighthearted lexicon that spells out what it means to be a runner. It's 26 smiles of running enjoyment An inexpensive gift for the road warrior, trail trotter, or weekend jogger

At the age of 50, mother of three, Molly Sheridan, puts on a pair of running shoes, soul searching for a way to transition into the second half of her life. Within a few weeks and a trip to the doctor, Molly is told she is too old, too tall, and too un-athletic to begin running. Following her own council and heart's desire, she embarks on her secret dream, to run long distances. This thought provoking, sometimes humorous account follows Molly's journey, beyond motherhood and age barriers, to novice runner, onward to extreme adventure tackling the toughest footraces on the planet and becoming the first American woman to attempt and complete 138 miles in the Himalayas. Molly's message is simple: life begins at 50.

This book was written primarily to share a story of God's grace and love. The book is both inspirational and informative. As a point of reference, in the first chapter, I give the reader information regarding my background in terms of growing up as a Christian and my passion for sports and exercise. Additionally, I share a little of my goal-oriented personality. As the chapters progress, I take the reader on a course that begins with making the decision to begin running as a form of exercise. I share information on specific training programs one can follow for various stages of development. For example, I initially discuss training for a 5K (3.1 miles) race. I continue to develop training programs and racing strategies for longer races. I accomplish this promotion of information in the context of sharing stories of various events encountered by myself and with my running group. Throughout each chapter, I draw a parallel between running, racing or exercising to our walk with God. The story culminates in preparing for and running my first marathon race. I share how God was very much present with me that day. In an appendix, I provide useful exercises one can perform to gain strength and develop a lean body.

Running is a great way to enhance your health and wellness, improve your self-esteem, and gain a sense of accomplishment. Although running may seem simple to some, it can present a whole new world of training, stretching, nutrition, and balance to take on a running lifestyle. But when it comes down to it, everyone can be a lifelong runner if they have the right knowledge and tools. With expert tips and advice specifically addressing women, this book is the perfect companion for novice, veteran, and returning runners alike.

The unique story of a US Marine athletic team competing for a national championship at the height of the Vietnam War. In the summer of American riots, at the height of the Vietnam War, two junior officers and three enlisted men gather at Virginia's Marine Base Quantico to train - not for combat, but for cross country running. The Quantico Marines tells the unlikely story of the team-combat veterans and new recruits, misfits and heroes - whose job is to represent the Corps on the college campuses and backcountry trails of the East Coast. The runners have a lot working against them, from battlefield scars to unsupportive base officers to challenging romances. But while their wounded comrades are filling the hospital just up the hill with life-threatening injuries, their lives are safe. Or are they? There are surprises lingering just below the surface, and the real danger may come not from the Viet Cong or the angry anti-war protestors, but from the sweet, pretty wife of the team's head coach. This is a novel full of unexpected turns and unforgettable characters, set in a year that was unlike any other.

From the best-selling author of "C25K: The Couch to 5K Beginner Running Program," this newly expanded version of the program is designed to turn the average couch potato into a 10K runner in just 14 weeks. Like the original C25K program, this 10K running plan eases you into running. It begins with a combination of running and walking that gets progressively more challenging. You'll run just three times a week for 14 weeks. At the end of the program you'll be able to run for 10 kilometers, or about 6 miles.

No matter the sport, everyone has to start somewhere. The simple sport of running is no different. Running came natural to us as kids but for various reasons, many of us gave it up at some point. In Starting Off on the Right Foot, best-selling author CJ Hitz (Smoothies For Runners) shares some of the valuable information he's learned along the way since picking up running again in 2008. After running in the 1989 State Cross Country meet in Eugene, Oregon as a high school sophomore, CJ gave up running for nearly 20 years before being drawn back into the sport. In this book geared toward those new to running and those coming back after years away, readers will learn about... *Why nutrition is important *Pre-run nutrition tips *Post-run nutrition tips *Running to lose weight *The importance of fruit & veggies *The importance of the long run *Incorporating hills and speed into training *Dehydration *Running shoes and racing flats *Valuable things learned by several elite runners *Some of CJ's lessons learned (the hard way) *And more As you begin this adventure of running, this little book will serve as a guide to help you enjoy this wonderful sport for years to come. Let's start things off on the right foot

William Harrison Dillard was born July 8, 1923, in Cleveland, Ohio, and was given the nickname Bones for his slender build while in grade school. He would later go on to become one of the nation s most notable track-and-field athletes. Now, in this biography, he shares his life story. The eventual winner of four Olympic medals, he attended the same high school as his friend and hometown hero, Jesse Owens. He was a successful athlete in college and served in the Ninety-Second Infantry (the Buffalo Soldiers) during World War II, where he distinguished himself in the service of his country. After the war, Bones continued his athletic career, winning eighty-two consecutive races over a span of eleven months, during 1947 and 1948. He then qualified to represent his country at the 1948 Olympics in London and again in 1952 in Helsinki, matching and setting records at both. Following his historic Olympic career, he met and married Joy Clemetson, a prominent member of the Jamaican National Softball Team; together, they built a family. Bones went on to careers in public relations, sportscasting, and education. Considered to be one of the greatest male sprinters and hurdlers in history, he was inducted into the USA Track and Field Hall of Fame in 1974 and received numerous other honors. Even so, he was and still is a gracious, courteous, humble, generous, and courageous athlete a genuine American hero. Harrison Dillard is an amazing man. He is admirable not only for his athletic accomplishments, but also for his character, showing a unique awareness of how the choices we make define ourselves. He has faced crucial and challenging decisions and issues throughout this life and never turned away, not one time. Bill Cosby