In Motivational Moments in Men's Track and Field, read 80 inspirational stories of male athletes who overcame adversity to achieve success. The stories convey the history of track and field and are designed to inspire, encourage, motivate, and teach valuable life lessons. The stories are written for those who are currently competing, coaching, have participated in track and field, or are simply a track and field or sports fan. The questions at the end of each of the stories are designed to apply learning principles to athletics and to the bigger game of life. Some of the stories are of well-known athletes such as Glenn Cunningham, who set a world record in the mile after being told he would never be able to walk again, or Al Oerter, who won four Olympic gold medals despite never being a favorite to win. Other stories are of less-known athletes whose achievements did not end on the podium, but whose glory was achieved through magnificent efforts. Performances such as Buddy Edelen, who raced through 100 degree temperatures to win the Olympic Trials Marathon by 20 minutes, or Ryan Shay, who paid the ultimate price and gave his life in an attempt to achieve his lifelong dream, or Louis Zamperini, who survived inhumane prisoner of war treatment, are stories of ever-lasting inspiration. Some, such as Jesse Owens, faced racial discrimination but overcame adversity to become successful. Many athletes trained to become among the best in the world but were unlucky with injuries, such as Eulace Peacock, who consistently beat Jesse Owens before injuries prevented him from competing in the 1936 Olympics. The athletes profiled are ordinary people who used extraordinary desire to accomplish extraordinary things in the history of track and field. Each athlete began simply with a dream, which developed into a belief in themselves. Their stories offers hope that we too can dream and reach beyond our perceived abilities to achieve. Each story can be read in just a few minutes. The stories of these 80 history makers teach us how to think positive and how to overcome obstacles to reach our goals.

You are about to read (and hopefully study and practice) a step-by-step program that will improve your current running abilities and prevent unnecessary injuries. While this is intended for beginning runners, it will also help those who consider themselves experienced runners. Unfortunately, many people believe that they can just go out and run. I know because that's what I used to believe. Before I started running, I was involved with many sports (cycling, hiking, martial arts, and weight lifting). I thought I could just add some running to be ready to do a triathlon. I remember how painful those early runs were to both my body and ego. I huffed and puffed, and pounded (literally) the pavement. Luckily my brain finally kicked in, and I started to study every book and magazine I could find on running technique. Eventually, I earned a certificate as a Track and Field Coach by the USATF. With this new information I had a science-based approach to running. What a difference Now I could go out and cruise along for several miles with the same amount of effort as going for a walk in the backyard. And even stranger, it was actually enjoyable. AMAZING This little book is the result of years of my own running, as well as experience gained in teaching classes for beginning runners. Everything in this book has been tried and tested, and proven to work on people of all shapes and sizes - those who have never run or those who ran "way back before the kids." I am presenting the information my beginning runners receive in class-including the "why" each of these steps are so important, followed by exercises to help you develop good technique. I would like for you to learn how to run safely and efficiently, so you can enjoy the health benefits and pleasures that come from running. As part of this book you also have access to videos that will explain the 8 steps visually. Please go to www.coachkfitness.net for more information. A glossary at the end of the book explains the technical terms I use throughout.

In Run Smart, XTERRA trail run champion and running coach, Adam Hodges, passes along decades of knowledge he has gleaned from competing and coaching in the sport. Topics cover various dimensions of running, including goal setting, mental skills, training principles, warmup protocols, running drills, functional strength, running form, running shoes, nutrition, hydration, recovery, and sleep. Each chapter consists of a concise, self-contained article that addresses a different aspect of a topic, making this book a valuable reference guide for new and experienced runners alike. Whether you run competitively or for fitness, you will find valuable information to help you run smart and take your running to the next level.

Running through Life explores twenty-six different characteristics that speak to the emotions and thoughts of marathon runners. In each chapter, author Tommy Bresson explores a characteristic that relates specifically to a certain mile in the marathon or to training in general. Using stories from his own life and examples from the Bible, Bresson illustrates the importance of these characteristics--not just while running the marathon but in life itself. Whether you are training for your seventeenth marathon or just curious about the sport, you will enjoy and be encouraged by the lessons Bresson shares. As you gain a clearer picture of who God is and how his character is revealed through stories in the Bible, you will find yourself challenged to reflect on how these various characteristics manifest themselves in your own life.

G. Kent has a lifetime of running experience. In the 1960's he ran on three Los Angeles City Championship cross country teams at Granada Hills High School. He went on to run at California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks. During a long teaching career, he also coached track and cross country at Lake Weir High School in Candler, Florida. In Running with Razors and Soul he shares knowledge distilled from all this experience. The book is written especially for the competitive high school and college athlete who is ready to step it up a notch and become a more dynamic and successful runner.

Running Ahead of the Sun portrays the journey of an everyday father and career professional from injury to a sub-3:00 marathon. While many books have been written focusing on elite runners, few if any focus so specifically on the challenges that most runners face, - fitting their training around all their other commitments. The book is based on the author's training journal, as shared through the dailymile.com website, as well as the writings on the Predawn Runner blog. Every week holds a different lesson, ranging from running while traveling to finding the time for training to preventing injuries and burnout. This book focuses on helping the busy runner translate their training document into reality, while maintaining the ability to uphold all his or her other responsibilities.

The Old Man and the Marathon is a story about taking on a challenge despite the odds. Sixty-four year old Angelo Santiago has been a distance runner most of his life. However, he has never run a marathon because of a history of sciatica problems. This missing piece in his competitive career has always gnawed at him, reminding him of his inferiority among his running peers. After three months of pain-free running, he decides to train for his first marathon. With encouragement from his young friend, Emmanuel, he begins the arduous workouts that will prepare him for one of the most difficult ordeals of his life. Along the way he meets Rita Marling, a beautiful woman who stirs romantic embers dormant since the death of his wife ten years ago. He also encounters Jack Silvers, a local high school coach and marathoner who becomes his rival in racing and romance. On the day of the race, like everyone who takes on the challenge of a marathon, Angelo must reach deep inside to find the strength and courage to finish the race.

All proceeds from sales of The 27th Mile go to support the victims of the Boston Marathon bombing. The 27th Mile is dedicated to everyone who loves running or runners-first and foremost to those who were killed or injured at the marathon, but also to the people who, even as they eat dinner with their family, put in another eight hours at work, or sit and read this book, have already planned when they'll go out for their next run. Within this book, you'll find stories that extol the spirit that first got us out on the roads to run, that brought us to Boston on a sunny spring day, and that will bring us back to Hopkinton next year, and in the years that follow. It's the spirit we celebrate every time we go for a run, whatever the distance. The 27th Mile includes a mix of fiction and non-fiction contributed by a wide range of talented writers who run. They're marathon champions and weekend warriors, ultramarathon racers and fitness joggers, running magazine pros and bloggers, best-selling novelists and indie publishing standouts - well, take a look for yourself: Amby Burfoot, Ben Tanzer, Caryl Haddock, Chris Cooper, Chris Russell, Cristina Negron, Grace Butcher, Hal Higdon, Jason Fisk, Jeff Galloway, Jesse Parent, Joe Henderson, Julie Greicius, Kathrine Switzer, Lawrence Block, Lorraine Moller, Mark Remy, Perry Romanowski, Ray Charbonneau, Ray Sespaniak, RJ Walker, Vanessa Runs, Willy Palomo