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

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.

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.

On the 21st January 2012, after a long and very brave battle, my brother lost his fight against cancer and passed away peacefully during the evening with his family around him. Having been diagnosed with a rare spinal cancer and given less than a year to live he set about raising money for Cancer Research UK. Despite the very aggressive nature of the disease he displayed an amazing spirit throughout his illness which he fought with absolute dignity. The day he died I decided to carry on his fund-raising activities and determined to run the London Marathon in his memory. This book tells the story of quite possibly the biggest challenge of my life whilst highlighting the incredible determination that he displayed throughout his illness.

A nation of runners takes on the impossible - a non-stop relay across America to show support and solidarity for the Boston Marathon bombing victims. "Danny and his team set out to run across the entire country. Time and resources were limited, but their resolve was unshakeable. Thanks to their focus and determination, the amazing event that is One Run For Boston came to life. Hundreds of people were keen to participate, wanting to help, heal and honour those impacted by the events of April 15, 2013." Not All Superheroes Wear Capes is the sincere, sometimes painful, yet heart-warming and often funny, account of this extraordinary effort made be so many caring and giving individuals. Kudos to Danny and his team of heroes." Dave McGillivray (Director, Boston Marathon) "Not All Superheroes Wear Capes proves, once again, that just putting one foot in front of the other can change history." Kathrine Switzer (First woman to officially run the Boston Marathon) "I don't measure a runner by the number of steps they take, but by the number of ways they use running to make the world a better place. Running the One Run For Boston relay and meeting all the runners proved to me that running is the ultimate faith healer, restoring beleif not only in oneself but life's possibilities." Bart Yasso (Chief Running Officer, Runner's World)

When blind runner Simon Webb was training for his first marathon in London 2011, aware that he wouldn't be able to pass the time during the race by admiring the sights of the city, he researched a few facts about some of the points of interest around the 26.2 mile course. Using the route which has changed little since its first running in 1981 and which has been completed by over 800,000 people, this book focuses on London's history, culture and sport, famous and not so famous landmarks, people and pubs - lots of pubs. From climbing the Elizabeth Tower at the Palace of Westminster, which houses Big Ben, to going underground into what the Victorians branded the 8th Wonder of the World, better known as the former entry hall to the Brunel Tunnel in Rotherhithe, this book is as much an alternative tour guide to London as a sport book. During every mile there are stories to tell and reflect on: the location for England's first home rugby international on Blackheath, the restoration of the Cutty Sark after a devastating fire, the Deptford pub which hosted early gigs for Squeeze and Dire Straits and how the Chinese in Limehouse gained literary notoriety. When it does focus on running, we learn how it feels to run when you can't see, what the guide runner experience is like and are left in no doubt that 'hitting the wall' is no fun at all. "What Simon has achieved is incredible. His story is truly compelling." Michael Dobbs, author of House of Cards

Great athletes make difficult moves look effortless with a combination of skill, strength, and balance. Traditional conditioning builds a fitness base, but modern sports training takes into account athletic movement patterns. The Athletic Body in Balance book and DVD first of its kind to show you how to train for smooth, fluid movement and prevent muscle imbalances, mobility restrictions, stability problems, and injuries. Physical therapist and sports conditioning expert Gray Cook has proven the effectiveness of his approach through the performances of athletes in the NFL, NBA, NHL, WNBA, and Reebok (R) University's sports training system. Whereas other books concentrate on maximizing your strengths, the Athletic Body in Balance book focuses on exposing and overcoming your weaknesses to form a foundation for long-term training gains. Cook will help you identify functional weaknesses; correct imbalances; explore your potential; and refine sport-specific movement skills such as jumping, kicking, cutting, and turning. You will see where conditioning is breaking down and how to get your body back on track. The Athletic Body in Balance DVD then covers five assessment tests to help you find the imbalances in movement patterns, sample corrective exercises to improve mobility and stability, and ways to integrate these exercises into a regular training program. The tests include -deep squat-assessing the mobility and stability of the hips, knees, and ankles -hurdle steps-evaluating bilateral mobility and stability of the hips, knees, and ankles -in-line lunge-determining hip mobility and stability, quadriceps flexibility, and ankle and knee stability on both sides of the body -straight leg raise-gauging hamstring flexibility -seated rotation-measuring uppertrunk stability during a combined upper- and lower-body movement Move more efficiently and achieve real gains in performance with the Athletic Body in Balance book and DVD. Human Kinetics DVDs are coded for universal playback and can be played in all regions of the world.

After 15 years of running, I'm still a plodder. So I thought it was about time I shared my experiences as, ravings, ramblings and joys as viewed from the back of the pack.

Running is a gift, but not only for the gifted. Whether you run just for fun or want to become a more competitive runner, The Gift of Running is for you. In The Gift of Running, P. Mark Taylor shows runners how to get started and stay motivated. The book includes: advice on how to get started as a runner, tried & true methods of running faster and longer, how to prepare for a marathon, tips on staying healthy & happy, motivation to keep you running, an insider view of the running community, & training programs for a 5K, 10K, half marathon, & marathon. P. Mark Taylor is a runner & author of the blog at www.WiseRunning.com.

Despu s del diagn stico m dico desalentador y saber que poco a poco perder a la movilidad en todo mi cuerpo, aceptar y asumir la dolorosa enfermedad y comprender el gran valor que tiene el dar un paso, s lo un paso a la vez y decidir que mientras pudiera y Dios me lo permitiera me mantendr a en movimiento corriendo, trotando o caminando, comienza una aventura en kil metros, que a n a contra diagn stico me ha ayudado a mejorar por mucho mi estado de salud, encontrando a lo largo de este reto, lecciones de vida que deseo compartir contigo en estas p ginas, con el nico fin que t, amigo lector, encuentres una esperanza, una motivaci n o una puerta abierta hacia el poder del movimiento, la convicci n, el esfuerzo, la buena actitud ante las circunstancias y de fe. Tambi n con el fin de que esto te lleve a lograr tu propio prop sito, a disfrutar y hacer de cada momento de tu vida, el paso peque ito que te llevar a tu propio gran marat n.

This is the long-awaited reprint of the highly-acclaimed book 'Athletics: How to become a champion' by Percy Cerutty, world renowned coach to Australia's greatest athlete, Herb Elliott, winner of the 1500m at the Rome Olympics in 1960. First published in 1960, this book, a classic in its time, has been out of print for 50 years. The books is full of details and ideas for optimum athletic training with specific advice for various distance and field events within the track and field discipline. This book garnered much praise when it was first published. Today's athlete and coach has much to learn from the wisdom of this outspoken and at time controversial figure. Cerutty describes the training regime at his Portsea, Victoria, athletics camp. The book includes historic images of a young Herb Elliott training under the master coach. Republished with permission from the family of the late coach, this book will inspire and encourage today's young athlete who dreams of Olympic triumph, just as Herb Elliott did in 1960.

Marathoning encompasses far more than running 26.2 miles between the Start and Finish lines. It is an art, a science, a way of life. Start to Finish discusses the marathon from long term planning to post race recovery. It combines years of trial and error experience with up to date exercise physiology research. Since running the marathon is as much mental as physical, both psychological and physiological aspects of training and racing are integrated into a program for beginners through advanced runners. Included are 5 detailed training progressions and background information on physiology, psychology, nutrition and supplemental training.

In Motivational Moments in Women's Track and Field, read inspirational stories of female athletes who overcame adversity to achieve success. Sixty female track and field athletes from all over the world and multiple generations are featured in this book. Stories are of well-known athletes like Wilma Rudolph, who overcame polio as a child to become an Olympic champion, or unknown athletes who never made it to the Olympics, such as Gretel Bergmann, who faced discrimination because she was Jewish, or Doris Brown Heritage, who faced gender discrimination when women were not allowed to run distance events. Some, such as Alice Coachmen, faced racial discrimination, but overcame the adversity to become successful. Many won multiple medals at the greatest athletic stage in the world. However, some had their dreams crushed when they were not allowed to compete in the Olympic Games due to war, boycotts, or injuries. Motivational Moments in Women's Track and Field is 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 stories convey the history of track and field and are designed to inspire, encourage, motivate, and teach valuable life lessons. Each story is accompanied by questions designed to invoke thought as to how one can apply the lessons learned to athletics and to the bigger game of life. The stories are rich in history and are designed to be read in a few minutes. The stories pay honor to all the young women who compete, and make the attempt and pursue excellence. These stories of great athletes teach us how to think positive, to focus our attention on what is important, and how to overcome obstacles to reach our goals.