Anthropologist Jasmina Praprotnik met Helena Zigon while running. Over the course of an icy Slovenian winter, the two marathon runners got together frequently, and Zigon told Praprotnik about her life. Here, Praprotnik tells Zigon's captivating story in Zigon's own voice. Each chapter is marked by a kilometer of the half-marathon Zigon ran along the Adriatic Sea on her eighty-sixth birthday, shortly after losing her husband of sixty years, Stane. Zigon's life spanned most of the twentieth century. She witnessed the Second World War, the rise and fall of Yugoslavia, and the founding of the new state of Slovenia. Abandoned by her parents and having grown up poor and mistreated by her stepmother, Zigon demonstrates the stoic resilience of a long-suffering Slavic woman. Though beset with challenges, she found a source of strength in the act of running. From a young girl running errands to an old woman running in the face of new grief, running has been a bright thread braided throughout her life. It has served her as a balm and a joy-one that she is grateful to still be able to savor. This inspirational memoir will appeal to general readers, especially those interested in history and running.

It remains one of the most memorable moments in modern Olympic history. At the 1984 summer games in Los Angeles, a raucous crowd of ninety thousand saw their favorite in the women's 3,000-meter race, Mary Decker, go down. An audience of two billion around the world witnessed the mishap and listened to the instantaneous accusations against the suspected culprit, Zola Budd. Just seventeen, the South African Budd had already been the target of a vicious and vocal campaign by the antiapartheid lobby after she transferred to the British team in order to compete at the games. Decker, at twenty-six, was America's golden girl, ready to overcome years of bad luck and injuries to rightfully take the Olympic gold for which she had waited so long. With three laps to go, Decker and Budd's feet became tangled. Decker went down and didn't get up, wailing in primal agony as her gold medal hopes vanished. Decker's stumbles continued in the race's aftermath when she refused Budd's apology and race officials found her, not Budd, at fault for the collision. Although both women found success after the Olympics, neither could escape the long shadow of the infamous event that forever changed both of their lives and defines them in popular culture to this day. Olympic Collision follows Decker and Budd through their lives and careers, telling the story behind the controversy; the account that emerges is certain to revise the view Americans, in particular, have held since that fateful day in Los Angeles more than thirty years ago. Olympic Collision relives one of the most famous incidents in Olympic history, its legacy, and what has happened to both athletes since.

'A must read!' Kevin Portman, IRONMAN Champion 'This is a guide to staying in endurance sports for the long haul!' Kathryn Cumming, elite cyclist and coach 'The principles that RJ and Angelo explore in this book are critical to achieving your best performance and staying healthy' Matthew Back, IRONMAN Champion Maximise Results - Extend Your Career - Achieve a New Personal Best! Resistance training delivers results - and Finish Strong is the ultimate guide to using this training method to improve your athletic performance. Whether you are training for a 5K or an IRONMAN, you can experience the phenomenal benefits from incorporating targeting resistance and mobility exercises into your training calendar. Richard (RJ) Boergers and Angelo Gingerelli are two leading US health and fitness authorities who will introduce and break down the principles of resistance training in a clear, accessible way. Written by athletes for athletes, this expert guide will help you: - prevent injuries - build muscular strength - enhance athletic performance - find the confidence to achieve a new personal best. The book will help you Finish Strong!

Revolutionise your running techniques! Learn how to run better and faster, with more energy while avoiding injury. There is a science to running, and now you can learn about it too! Whether you are new to running, or have conquered a few marathons in your time, this runner's guide will show you how to train efficiently, find a suitable running regime, and master the art of running for life! Inside the pages of this running book, you'll find: -Explanations on the anatomy and physiology of the runner -Easy-to-read descriptions of how running involves every system in the body -A scientific breakdown of what happens under the skin at every stage of the running cycle -Featuring anatomy of common injuries and exercise programmes for both prevention and recovery -30 key exercises and how to perfect precision to optimise their benefits -Bespoke training plans for runners at all levels Expert-led insights backed by scientific research will show you how to start running, how to run faster, and how to improve your flexibility and gait for running efficiency and safety. Included in the Science of Running are exercises and training programmes that target each muscle to ensure you become a stronger, better runner. The clear CGI images show annotations to muscle mechanics so you know you are taking the right steps and perfecting technique. Learn the science behind your body's energy systems, proper hydration and nutrition. From long-distance to marathon running, this sports book will completely transform your performance of injury-free running and help you to smash your goals one step at a time, proving the ideal running gift for the fitness fanatic in your life. At DK, we believe in the power of discovery. So why not dive deeper into our successful Science of series, where you can discover the research and scientific theories behind exercise and sport. Explore the anatomy of yoga to perfect your practice in Science of Yoga; or redefine your daily routine with Science of Living. Achieve a healthier and happier you this New Year!

'The last descent and I can't let myself think it's in the bag. Anything could happen, take it easy, take no risks. Just get to the finish and win.' 'The challenge and anticipation that pushes me to try harder. The obsessive urge to achieve. It's not all about winning. Why do I do it?' Growing up in Bristol, Heather Dawe was 17 when she started running. Having fallen in to the teenage trap of smoking and drinking she resolved to do something about it, not knowing then where it would take her. A climber since her youth, an obsession with wild places and the mountains was engrained in her DNA. Moving to Leeds to study, she began to compete in fell races and mountain marathons, joking in the pub one night that she could race at the highest level. Being hit by a car doing over 40mph while cycling would have ended many athletes' dreams, but Dawe's drive pushed her even harder. Hard enough to make her pub joke a reality, hard enough to win Elite Mountain Marathons, to win the Three Peaks Cyclo-cross race and to complete the Bob Graham Round. Pushing harder still, she entered the Tour Divide - racing the 2745-mile route of the Continental Divide in North America as she to sought to discover her physical - and emotional - limits. Dawe writes of what it takes to compete in adventure races; the training, the sacrifice, the mistakes that must be made in order to learn and develop. An intensely deep and personal book, Adventures in Mind explores what drives a woman - living with her partner and their child, working 9-5 - to push so hard and so far; into herself, and into the wild.

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...).

"Lore of Running" gives you incomparable detail on physiology, training, racing, injuries, world-class athletes, and races.

Author Tim Noakes blends the expertise of a physician and research scientist with the passion of a dedicated runner to answer the most pressing questions for those who are serious about the sport:

-How your body systems respond to training, the effects of different training methods, how to detect and avoid overtraining, and genetic versus trainable potential

-How to train for the 10K up through ultramarathon with detailed programs from Noakes and several leading running experts

-How to prevent and treat injuries, increase your strength and flexibility, and use proper nutrition for weight control and maximum performance

You'll also find a candid analysis of supplements and ergogenic effects and training aids. The book includes new interviews with 10 world-class runners who share their secrets to success and longevity in the sport. Features on legendary figures and events in running history provide fascinating insights.

And that's just scratching the surface. "Lore of Running" is not only the biggest and best running publication on the planet. It's the one book every runner should own.

Mountain running ranks up there as one of the toughest sports. Having the ability and athleticism to race up and down Britain's highest peaks takes stamina, peak fitness and years of specialised training. So how did a teenage punk rocker from Yorkshire, seemingly existing on a diet of cider, parties and loud music, become the British Champion fell runner? The history of mountain running is peppered with legendary feats and characters, ultra-hard men and women who can run seemingly non-stop over our highest and toughest peaks and skylines. Flicking through the black-and-white photographs telling the story of these past champions of the sport you're struck by how wiry, super-fit and disciplined they look. Then, from nowhere, along comes Gary Devine. A maverick who jogged onto the scene sporting spiky dyed pink hair and a tatty running vest, hungover from the previous night's party, smiling and joking at the start line as he wiped the sleep out of his eyes - before showing everyone a muddy pair of heels and running off to win. This is the fascinating story of how an unlikely and eccentric runner became, against all expectations, the British Champion. It's a tale that focuses on the races that made up Devine's victorious 1990 season, while opening out to understand how the unruly, fearless ethos at the heart of punk could chime perfectly with the spirited, gutsy and dauntless root of mountain running; how the elements of surprise and daring are central to both. It's a near-perfect underdog narrative, a drama that traces one boy's life from ordinary schoolkid to extraordinary winner - all against a backdrop of alcohol, fights, arrests and extreme guitar noise. Following Devine from his roots as a punk rock convert to his years racing alongside the world's elite mountain runners, this is both a tale of implausible triumph to match that of comic book hero Alf Tupper and at the same time a compelling narrative of how running - like life - can be a wonderful and unexpected adventure. "Faster! Louder! is a great combination of different mad energy - punk and fell running. I knew nothing about the cult of fell running. Now I want to know more. The story has a unique take on music and running as a life force and is also a love letter to the fell running landscape." Richard Jobson, THe SKIDS "A stirringly evocative, riveting, hilarious, nostalgic, important book about two opposing worlds that aren't so different after all." Damian Hall, author and elite ultra-runner "With the lifestyle Gary led, it's amazing how the hell he was able to run races - never mind win so many. A bit of a wayward lad but I'm full of admiration for him - he did it his way!" Billy Bland, legendary fell runner "A strange, exhilarating blast of a book, throbbing with energy and sweaty authenticity. FASTER! LOUDER! celebrates fell-running as it used to be, rough and untamed, through the story of a maverick hero whose remarkable athletic triumphs are achieved against a grubby backdrop of brawls and hangovers, squats and drug-busts, and very loud music." Richard Askwith, author of 'Feet In The Clouds' "A most enjoyable look at fell running with a punk soundtrack and attitude. At school I was the one at the back of the pack sneaking off for a cig. Reading this book has made me wish it had been different. The challenge and exhilaration of the love of running in itself; the weather; the fells and the personal challenge - it all makes for a great read and I'm happy that Killing Joke may have been along for the ride." Big Paul Ferguson, Killing Joke

This is the complete story of long-distance runner Lizzy Hawker's journey from a school girl running the streets of London to a world record-breaking athlete racing on mountains. Scared witless and surrounded by a sea of people, Lizzy Hawker stands in the church square at the centre of Chamonix on a late August evening, waiting for the start of the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc. The mountains towering over the pack of runners promise a gruelling 8,600 metres of ascent and descent over 158 kilometres of challenging terrain that will test the feet, legs, heart and mind. These nervous moments before the race signal not just the beginning of nearly twenty-seven hours of effort that saw Lizzy finish as first woman, but the start of the career of one of Britain's most successful endurance athletes. She went on to become the 100km Women's World Champion, win the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc an unprecedented five times, hold the world record for 24 hours road running and become the first woman to stand on the overall winners' podium at Spartathlon. An innate endurance and natural affinity with the mountains has led Lizzy to push herself to the absolute limits, including a staggering 320 kilometre run through the Himalayas, from Everest Base Camp to Kathmandu in Nepal. Lizzy's remarkable spirit was recognised in 2013 when she was a National Geographic Adventurer of the Year. These ultimate challenges ask not just what the feet and legs can do, but question the inner thoughts and contemplations of a runner. Lizzy's astonishing story uncovers the physical, mental and emotional challenges that runners go through at the edge of human endurance - inspiring us to get out of the chair and go running in the mountains.

How two teenage girls in Minnesota jump-started a revolution in high school athletics Peggy Brenden, a senior, played tennis. Toni St. Pierre, a junior, was a cross country runner and skier. All these two talented teenagers wanted was a chance to compete on their high school sports teams. But in Minnesota in 1972 the only way on the field with the boys ran through a federal court-so that was where the girls went. Break Point tells the story, for the first time, of how two teenagers took on the unequal system of high school athletics, setting a legal precedent for schools nationwide before the passage of Title IX. As Peggy's younger sister, author Sheri Brenden is uniquely positioned to convey the human drama of the case, the stakes, and the consequences for two young women facing the legal machinery of the state, in court and in school. In an account that begins with Peggy painstakingly typing her appeal to the Minnesota Civil Liberties Union and concludes with a long view of what Brenden v. Independent School District 742 set in motion, Sheri Brenden summons the salient details of this landmark case as it makes its way through the courts. Peggy and Toni, coaches, administrators, and experts testify before Judge Miles Lord, whose decision, upheld in a precedent-setting appeal, would change these girls' lives and open up athletic opportunities for innumerable others. Grounded in newspaper coverage, court records, and interviews, Brenden's deeply researched, scrupulously reported book is at heart the story of two talented teenage girls whose pluck and determination-and, often, heartache-led to a victory much greater than any high school championship.

wo-time Olympian Kara Goucher shares her secrets to conquering self-doubt and improving running performance using proven tools from the field of sport psychology. This book includes tips, techniques and real-life experiences from Olympians Emma Coburn and Molly Huddle, and New York Times bestselling author Robin Arzon. Strong also offers perspectives from two experts in the field of sport psychology, including Kara's own sport psychologist, Dr. Stephen Walker.

As a runner, you want to accomplish your physical goals. But deep down, you long for your training to be a more meaningful experience, engaging your body, mind, soul, and spirit. Walk, Run, Soar is a 52-week devotional and training journal designed for runners who hope to experience God's presence, purpose, and glory in a deeper way as they run. Dorina Gilmore Young, and her triathlete husband, Shawn, will get you moving with a new motivation: improving your spiritual health. Along with weekly devotions to inspire you, Walk, Run, Soar includes * practical running/training tips * training schedules from a running and triathlon coach * advice on how to fuel your body well * reflection questions and action steps * space to journal and record your running progress Whether you are new to running or a longtime runner, Walk, Run, Soar will motivate you to hit your fitness goals while strengthening your faith.

Running is one of the most popular activities worldwide, and is an enjoyable and accessible way to get fit. To help you get started, this book provides practical advice on progressive walk/run routines, a six-week plan of running for fitness, and exercises to build up strength. It covers races of different distances, and includes some of the world's greatest races - from sprint and middle-distance racing to fast long-distance racing, marathons, off-road and ultrarunning, triathlons and adventure racing. Illustrated with over 550 photographs and illustrations, this expert book is essential reading for anyone who wants to run at any level.

The story of Ben Smith, who decided to run 401 marathons in 401 days. People thought he was mad, until they heard his story, then they began to understand. Having endured years of bullying as a child, Ben tried to take his own life. In adulthood, Ben struggled to feel content with the life that was mapped out for him. But having found his passion in running, Ben sold his possessions, escaped his old life and set off on what seemed like an impossible mission - The 401 Challenge.

During his 10,506.2-mile odyssey criss-crossing the UK, Ben ran in 309 different locations, accompanied by more than 13,500 people. He visited 101 schools, burned an estimated 2.4 million calories, wrecked his back and braved every extreme of the British weather, while raising £330,000 for charity, touching the lives of millions.

This is the inspiring journey of a previously lost and broken man who discovered that anything is possible, if only you choose to search for what makes you truly happy.

The most accomplished mountain runner of all time contemplates his record-breaking climb of Mount Everest in this profound and free-flowing memoir-an intellectual and spiritual journey that moves from the earth's highest peak to the soul's deepest reaches. The world's fastest mountain climber, ultra-runner, and mountaineer, Kilian Jornet has broken nearly every mountaineering record in the world and twice been named National Geographic Adventurer of the Year. In 2018 he burnished that legend, setting the FKT (fastest known time) ascending and descending Mount Everest-in twenty-six hours from base camp-without bottled oxygen or ropes. What drives a person to the edge of one of the most difficult and revered mountains in the world? How much is one willing to sacrifice and suffer to pursue an authentic and bold life? Jornet ponders these questions as he recounts one remarkable year in the life of the mountain, exploring Everest's changing nature over four seasons and his own existence. Above the Clouds silhouettes a complex and dedicated runner at the peak of his physical prowess who must choose between the safe and certain or the adventurous and perilous. As he recounts a life spent studying, tending, and ascending the greatest peaks on earth, Jornet ruminates on what he has found in nature-simplicity, freedom, and spiritual joy-and offers a poetic yet clearheaded assessment of his relationship to the mountain . . . at times his opponent, at others, his greatest muse. In this sweeping, soulful journey-the flip side of stories like Into Thin Air-Jornet illuminates with beauty and brilliance what it means to be an athlete, a competitor, and a human facing the greatest life challenges-for him, the mountain he yearns to climb and honor.

TRAIN EASIER TO RUN FASTER
This revolutionary training method has been embraced by elite runners--with extraordinary results--and now you can do it, too.
Respected running and fitness expert Matt Fitzgerald explains how the 80/20 running program--in which you do 80 percent of runs at a lower intensity and just 20 percent at a higher intensity--is the best change runners of all abilities can make to improve their performance. With a thorough examination of the science and research behind this training method, "80/20 Running" is a hands-on guide for runners of all levels with training programs for 5K, 10K, half-marathon, and marathon distances.
In" 80/20 Running, " you'll discover how to transform your workouts to avoid burnout.
Runs will become more pleasant and less draining You'll carry less fatigue from one run to the next Your performance will improve in the few high-intensity runs Your fitness levels will reach new heights
"80/20 Running" promotes a message that all runners--as well as cyclists, triathletes, and even weight-loss seekers--can embrace: Get better results by making the majority of your workouts easier.

The mountain marathon is possibly the ultimate test of the endurance runner's capabilities. Navigating your way across rugged open country whilst carrying everything required for your survival and still competing against the clock. From the more traditional two-day events of the OMM, Saunders Lakeland Mountain Marathon and Lowe Alpine Mountain Marathon to the newer one-day events of the White and Dark Peak series, these events are gaining in popularity each year as entrants pit themselves against both the physical and mental challenges of these competitions. This is the first full instructional book written for those people seeking to face this challenge, the complexities and procedures that control and govern these events are laid open. Everything from the different types of courses and classes of event and how to enter them, through to the equipment required and on to the necessary training both to compete and improve performance in these gruelling events are included here. Written by two experienced mountain marathon competitors who are rapidly gaining the reputation for producing the most comprehensive instructional books, this book is set to become the bible of all those seeking to compete the mountain marathon.

Andrew Murray has been running since 2005 when he realised that it might be a good way to see a bit of the world. Since then he has been placed first overall in races in the Arctic, the Sahara, Outer Mongolia and the jungle, amongst others. But in 2010 he devised a challenge that put all his previous attempts in the shade - to run from Scotland to the Sahara in one continuous push with no rest days! It is 2,659 miles from John O'Groats at the northern tip of mainland Britain to Merzouga in Morocco and Andrew planned to complete the distance in 85 days. That's the equivalent of 100 marathons run end to end - and not a single day off to recover. With minimal support, and in the middle of winter, trying to run an ultra marathon every day was the challenge of a lifetime for Andrew. As a medic, Andrew knew exactly what that would do to his body...and it wasn't good news. Attempting to cram in a staggering 8,000 calories every day is extremely difficult and doesn't stop the body from beginning to break down. This book is the story of that run, interwoven between tales of extraordinary endurance events in some of the most extreme locations in the world. It answers the question, 'why do it?', and offers a gripping insight into what drives an extreme athlete to break new ground. Helped by family, friends, those he meets along the way, and a fiancee he's shortly to marry, this is the story of one man's determination to run in the history books. Andrew Murray's epic journey was the subject of a highly successful BBC documentary and this book is the inside story of what pushes one man to keep breaking the limits. Even a planned 85 days wasn't enough to satisfy Andrew - in the end he completed the distance in just 78 days. The book is introduced by Sir Ranulf Fiennes.

Trailhead is a witty, fun pocket guide to all things trail running. Veteran trail runner, triathlete, and adventure racer Lisa Jhung offers this illustrated guide to all runners curious about running off road or wanting to run farther into the backcountry. She offers authoritative advice on everything from how to find good trails to run, how to choose the best shoes and clothing, how to carry enough water, and how to stay safe from wildlife and weather. Trailhead includes: The allure: Why trail running is good for body and mind The essentials: Finding good trails, choosing the best trail running gear, handling trail and weather conditions, what you need to know about nutrition and hydration Safety: How to treat (and avoid) common trail running injuries, first aid, animal safety Etiquette: Right of way, preserving the trail, when nature calls Company: Running alone, with friends, with dogs--or burros! Stronger, faster: At-home exercises to enhance your running Going long: Preparing for longer trail runs or trail races Trailhead is a smart, entertaining read as well as a thorough resource for everyone from aspiring trail runners to those looking to get the most out of every trail run, whether in a city park or on a mountain adventure.

Two accounts of one twenty-nine day 854 mile run from John O'Groats to Land's End in aid of The Cure Parkinson's Trust. 'The hard training is done, the organisation complete, the big day has arrived. Let the nerves settle, eat well, think of the challenge ahead, the money you will raise, the experience of a lifetime, the long hard road, the challenge of the goal, getting up tired every morning, collapsing every night knowing that you are a day nearer achieving your dream. There will be hard times, fun times, painful times, and pleasure times. Go and live your dream, run well, run easy and the joy and satisfaction of finishing will live with you forever.' - Sharon Gaytor

Over the last forty years, running has grown from a niche sport for a handful of committed club athletes into one of the Western world's most popular pastimes. In Running, Identity and Meaning, Neil Baxter asks: What kinds of people have been drawn to running in such numbers? What do they seek from the sport? And what does running's popularity tell us about ourselves and the society we live in today? Delving into the great paradox of running: that despite its low cost of entry and inclusive ethos, the sport remains riven by inequalities, Baxter showcases how gender, class, age and ethnicity influence whether and how different groups participate in the sport, and explores its role in the reproduction of social structure and the search for distinction. By considering running simultaneously as a technique of self-cultivation, a social field in which forms of capital and status are at stake, and an important source of meaning and identity for millions of people across the world, this book equips readers to understand the many diverse links between the sport, society, and individual identities.

A world class athlete and author of "Way of the Peaceful Warrior", presents an inspirational path to unleashing full potential. Gymnast Dan Millman examines the motives for athletic excellence and offers a transformative guide to success that is as applicable in everyday life as it is in sports.

Published as a quality jacketed hardback in 2013, Steve Chilton's illuminating and entertaining history of one of athletics' most demanding sports, as well as the most demandingly amateur, took the world of running by storm and quickly broke out of its niche. Sandstone Press is delighted to now present the book in a paperback form. It will find ever more admirers to inspire.