Running can be a method of discovering new physical, mental, and emotional limits. Seeking a new way to test those limits, Ryan Chukuske set off on a 100 mile race. During the race, he discovered a new appreciation for himself and for life in general. This is a recollection of his thoughts during the race and how running can be translated to lessons anyone can live by. Finding change through pain and humility, and a touch of humor, he discovered that life is not about the running. Life is about the journey.

Strength is said to be found in numbers but when personal tragedy strikes all that matters is the direction you turn. Everyone struggles through the loss of a loved one. For Jay Danek, it was the unexpected loss of his father at the age of 58 on 9-23-2008. Jay sought solace in running to get closer to his father. To honor his dad, he set out to run 923 straight days. Jay learned to curb his negative behavior through positive experiences. His journey took him from life as a 275 pound non-runner, suffering through depression, anxiety, weight gain, and anger, to 100-mile ultra-marathons through the mountains. "Walking was questionable in Jay Danek's mind as a young boy, running and athletics were out of the question. His story of overcoming obstacles and becoming a great runner is compelling an inspirational following him through a remarkable transformation. It's not only a tribute to his father but a tribute to what we all are capable of." Marshall Ulrich - author of "Running on Empty"

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.

The Runner's High. It is not a myth, it is not illegal, but it may be addictive. Chasing the Dragon: Running to Get High is a collection of diatribes, training tips, and off-color wisdom, all processing the running life and how to get the biggest (legal) highs from your life and your runs. The author taps into his personal experience with running and addiction to look at questions such as why recovering addicts turn to running and the nature of positive addictions. There is something here for every runner: tips on running that Boston Qualifier, pacing, tapering, training philosophy, plus some running flash fiction sure to make you smile. The author is a 13-time marathoner, a Boston qualifier, a recovering addict of 21 years, and a substance-abuse counselor in Detroit.

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.

Guardian's Best Sports Books of 2014 SHORTLISTED FOR THE CROSS BRITISH SPORTS BOOK AWARDS 2015 LONGLISTED FOR THE WILLIAM HILL SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARD 2015 In Chase Your Shadow, journalist and author John Carlin tells the gripping story of Oscar Pistorius's tragic journey from sporting icon to accused murderer. Before Valentine's Day of 2013, Pistorius was best known as an extraordinary athlete, the 'Blade Runner' who became the first amputee in history to compete in the Olympics. Everything changed after he shot his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp dead in the early hours of 14 February. Overnight, the Olympian's status as a role model was replaced by tales of erratic behaviour and a violent dark side. With unique access to Pistorius himself, as well as to his friends and family, Carlin paints a portrait of a complex personality, a man whose heroic rise and even more dramatic fall is one of the most remarkable sports stories ever told.