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.

In the early 1900s, the Olympic Games track and field throwing events were dominated by a group of Irish-born weight throwers representing the United States. These athletes came to be known as the "Irish Whales"-primarily because of their immense size and larger-than-life presence. The Irish Whales: Olympians of Old New York shares the untold story of these Irish American athletes who competed with unparalleled distinction for the United States. James Mitchell, John Flanagan, Martin Sheridan, Pat McDonald, Paddy Ryan, and Con Walsh won a total of eighteen medals in the Olympic Games between 1900 and 1924 and completely dominated the world stage in their chosen athletic disciplines. They were lionized in the American and Irish press and became folk heroes among Irish-American immigrant communities. Almost all of these men were further distinguished by their membership in the fabled Irish American Athletic Club of New York and careers with the New York Police Department. The story of the Irish Whales is the very embodiment of the American Dream and exemplifies the triumph of many Irish emigrants in the New World. Featuring a wonderful collection of original photographs, The Irish Whales tells the dramatic stories of these international athletes and their extraordinary sporting successes.

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Grinding poverty...aching personal tragedy...withering discrimination...life-threatening disease...Jackie Joyner-Kersee has confronted them all-and triumphed...A Kind Of Grace

Jackie is known throughout the world as the best female athlete ever-the winner of six Olympic medals, three of them gold; the current world record holder in the heptathlon (the women's version of the male decathlon); the one-time world record holder in the long jump; and an All-America basketball player. Until now, few have known of the chronic affliction that has nearly killed her three times, or the grueling sacrifices that have vaulted her to heights never before seen.

She grew up in East St. Louis in a house "little more than wallpaper and sticks." Her parents were poor teenagers when they married. She made her first long-jump pit in her backyard from borrowed playground sand. One of her first performances went unrecorded because of the color of her skin. Yet Jackie not only had an innate ability to conquer speed and distance, she possessed an irrepressible personality and a deep, unshakable love of sport.

As she harnessed her talents, Jackie began an amazing string of multisport successes. In the midst of it all, she would try to hold her family together after her mother's tragic early death (Mary was only 37), and face her own devastating grief. As she climbed the dizzying heights of international and Olympic competition, she would face relentless media attention that escalated when she married Bob Kersee, her enormously successful-and controversial-coach. As she reached her profession's peak, she would battle life-threatening asthma, unfounded accusations of drug-induced performance enhancement, and recurring injuries. Ultimately, she would unite her experience and determination to achieve the most meaningful victories of all-those that shape and build lives beyond the field.

Written with honesty and humor, A Kind Of Grace is a profoundly moving story of barriers overcome, wisdom gained-and steadfast "hope-in-progress." Few recent books-of any kind-have testified so eloquently to the power of following one's dreams.

"I see elegance and beauty in every female athlete. I don't think being an athlete is unfeminine. I think of it as a kind of grace."

-Jackie Joyner-Kersee

"A Kind Of Grace is a kind of courage and a kind of strength and a kind of beauty and a kind of hope...and a great deal of grace."

-Frank Deford

"Powerful, evocative...a world-class effort."

-Armen Keteyian, ABC News

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'A captivating and detailed account ... it reads like a thriller, which is exactly the right tone to adopt by author Richard Moore for a story dripping with skulduggery and intrigue ... compelling' The Sunday Express The 1988 Seoul Olympics played host to what has been described by some as the dirtiest race of all time, by others as the greatest. The final of the men's 100 metres at those Olympics is certainly the most infamous in the history of athletics, and more indelibly etched into the consciousness of the sport, the Olympics, and a global audience of millions, than any other athletics event before or since. Ben Johnson's world-record time of 9.79 seconds - as thrilling as it was - was the beginning rather than the end of the story. Following the race, Johnson tested positive, news that generated as many - if not more - shockwaves as his fastest ever run. He was stripped of the title, Lewis was awarded the gold medal, Linford Christie the silver and Calvin Smith the bronze. More than two decades on, the story still hadn't ended. In 1999 Lewis was named Sportsman of the Century by the IOC, and Olympian of the Century by Sports Illustrated. Yet his reputation was damaged by revelations that he too used performance-enhancing drugs, and tested positive prior to the Seoul Olympics. Christie also tested positive in Seoul but his explanation, that the banned substance had been in ginseng tea, was accepted. Smith, now a lecturer in English literature at a Florida university, was the only athlete in the top five whose reputation remains unblemished - the others all tested positive at some stage in their careers. Containing remarkable new revelations, this book uses witness interviews - with Johnson, Lewis and Smith among others - to reconstruct the build-up to the race, the race itself, and the fallout when news of Johnson's positive test broke and he was forced into hiding. It also examines the rivalry of the two favourites going into it, and puts the race in a historical context, examining its continuing relevance on the sport today, where every new record elicits scepticism.

This book documents short stories of inspirational local runners who were involved in the creation of Sundown Marathon or had participated and succeeded in the night race. Featuring the likes of Adrian Mok, Mok Ying Ren, Neo Jie Shi and many others, this collection features stories that uncover some of their own personal journeys and insights into their running experiences. By showcasing how these runners persevere in search of success, it is hoped that this book can inspire others to overcome their challenges and achieve their dreams. Runnerdotes: A Collection of Anecdotes from Inspirational Runners is a tribute to those who helped shape the running scene in Singapore.

'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!

Coach, Run, Win creates a roadmap for coaches and runners to navigate an entire high school cross country season. The first half of Coach, Run, Win focuses on how to run fast and provides details of training methods and workout details that produced teams and individuals with nationwide success. Any runner (high school or not) can improve by following the workout and training techniques covered. The second part of Coach, Run, Win takes coaches through the details of organizing and implementing a championship program from working with parents and administrators through setting up a summer program, designing courses and managing races and conducting end of year awards banquets. Coach, Run, Win takes the guess work and experimentation out of designing individual and team programs to achieve running success. It is laid out in a clear and concise way that avoids overly scientific explanations and instead talks about what worked and works from the experience of Ken Sayles.

Every runner's story is part of a great tradition of running stories. Running Throughout Time tells the best and most important of them. From Atalanta, the heroic woman runner of ancient Greece-when goddesses advised on race tactics-to the new legends of Billy Mills, Joan Benoit Samuelson, and Allison Roe (the modern Atalanta), this book brings the greatest runners back to life. It's the perfect runner's bedside storybook. Colorful, dramatic, alive with human insight and period detail, these stories are also full of new discoveries. Within these pages, readers will find the true story of Pheidippides and the Battle of Marathon; they will read text from the world's first newspaper report of a footrace (1719). The book uncovers important evidence of the first road races, the origins of cross-country running, and the earliest marathons, telling the true story of the origins of the marathon and just why racers must run exactly 26 miles, 385 yards (42.2 km). Further, it tells more modern stories, like those of women's marathon activist, Kathrine Switzer. Roger Robinson is a vivid storyteller and a lifelong elite runner who knows the sport deeply and passionately, yet he is also a meticulous scholar who digs and digs until he gets the story right. He shares his findings here, such as those from his investigation of the tragedy during the 1928 Olympics when most of the women running the 800 meters collapsed in distress. Roger has been everywhere in running: elite runner, masters champion, stadium announcer, TV commentator, researcher, and journalist. The stories in this book are selected because each is significant in the greater story of running and because Roger can bring something new and exciting to their telling. From variant translations of ancient poems, dusty stacks of old newspapers, crackly handwritten notebooks, and carefully studied film footage, Roger has done every kind of homework to get these unforgettable stories right. All runners should read this book to really know whose footsteps they run in and why running is worthy of the effort they give to it.

Offers full coverage of Native American athletes and athletics from historical, cultual and indigenous perspectives, from before European intervention to the 21st century. There are entries devoted to broader cultural themes, and how these affect and are affected by the sport.

Guardian's Best Sports Books 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. His seven-month trial was broadcast live around the globe, its twists and turns captivating millions. Carlin, who followed the drama inside the courtroom, provides a vivid first-hand account of Pistorius's wrenching emotional breakdowns, the merciless interrogation to which he was submitted by the prosecutor, and the highly controversial judgment. Carlin paints a portrait of a complex personality, a man whose life story reveals extremes of courage and insecurity, ambition and vulnerability, generosity and dangerous hot-headedness. Not since the O. J. Simpson case has the world been more riveted by a champion's heroic rise and calamitous fall.

Are you a triathlete, runner, cyclist, swimmer, cross-country skier, or other athlete seeking greater endurance? The Big Book of Endurance Training and Racing teaches athletes how to stay healthy, achieve optimal athletic potential, and be injury-free for many productive years. Dr. Philip Maffetone's approach to endurance offers a truly "individualized" outlook and unique system that emphasizes building a strong aerobic base for increased fat burning, weight loss, sustained energy, and a healthy immune system. Good nutrition and stress reduction are also key to this commonsense, big-picture approach.
In addition, Dr. Maffetone dispels many of the commonly held myths that linger in participatory sports--and which adversely impact performance--and explains the "truths" about endurance, such as: The need to train slower to race faster will enable your aerobic system to improve endurance Why expensive running shoes can actually cause foot and leg injuries The fact that refined carbohydrates actually reduce endurance energy and disrupt hormone balance And more. If you are looking to increase your endurance and maximize your athletic potential, "The Big Book of Endurance Training and Racing" is your one-stop guide to training and racing effectively.

The Round is not only a history of the Bob Graham Round, but also an exploration of the what, why and how of this classic fell endurance challenge. After covering the genesis of the BGR in detail, it documents its development from a more-or-less idle challenge to its present status as a rite of passage for endurance runners. Interspersed with this detail of the round are extensive profiles of many of the event's most significant individuals: innovators, record setters, recorders and supporters. Some links to resources for potential BGR completers are be included. The Round is emphatically NOT a 'how to' guide, but it IS a terrific follow up to Steve Chilton's hugely popular first book, It's a Hill, Get Over It. This mass market paperback edition follows the highly successful hardback published in 2015.

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.

Lake District Trail Running is a comprehensive guide to off-road running in the Lake District National Park. With 20 runs, from 5.1km to 17km in length, this book is suitable for runners of all abilities. The fells and valleys of the Lakes are a playground for the adventurous runner - this is the home of many classic fell races, and of course the legendary Bob Graham Round. In this book, author Helen Mort has collected together many of her favourite Lakeland runs, from low-lying and scenic lakeside cruises, to steep mountain climbs and remote and wild enchainments. Discover Grasmere, pick your way along the Haystacks ridge, explore Grisedale or run around Lakeland icons, such as Buttermere and Ennerdale Water. More experienced runners can challenge themselves on bigger and longer excursions to Fairfield and above Troutbeck. Features clear and easy-to-use Ordnance Survey 1:25,000 maps, easy-to-follow directions, details of distance and timings, refreshment stops and local knowledge, and a detailed appendix.

In Run Like a Champion, one of America's most versatile and accomplished runners, Alan Culpepper, reveals the best practices of the best runners. Over his 25-year racing career, Culpepper won national titles from 5K to marathon, a span of race distances so wide that just a few runners can claim the same impressive versatility. Culpepper sets out his approach--and the lessons he learned from his competitors--so that all runners can fully realize their potential. As a two-time Olympic competitor, Culpepper has a unique understanding of what it takes to compete at the highest level. His running career has put him on the start line alongside the world's best runners, and he has found that despite their many differences, talents, and approaches to training, among them they share a common understanding: the best athletes know that the secret to success in running lies in understanding a bigger picture of training. Not everyone has the physiology to run at the highest level, but everyone can benefit from implementing an Olympic approach to training. Run Like a Champion shares a big-picture view of running, looking at not only the essential training elements but also other key pieces of the puzzle: identifying motivation; finding a proper work/life/family balance; and understanding complementary aspects of training such as stretching, how much to drink, diet, and how to avoid and treat injuries. Run Like a Champion reveals all the guidelines, tips and tricks, workouts, mental training, and nutritional practices that Olympic runners use. By making this Olympic approach part of their running, runners of all levels will make their goals achievable from 5K to marathon.

At the 1968 Olympics, Tommie Smith and his teammate John Carlos came in first and third in the 200-metre sprint. In this text, Smith explains why, as they received their medals, both men raised a black-gloved fist, creating an image that has symbolized the conflicts of race, politics, and sports.

North Wales Trail Running is a comprehensive guide to off-road running across North Wales, including Snowdonia, Anglesey and into the Llyn Peninsula and the Clwyds. With 20 runs from 4km to 20.4km in length, this book is suitable for runners of all abilities. North Wales has some of the most diverse terrain in the UK, from rocky outcrops and large cwms to steep-sided valleys and magical llyns. It is a Mecca for the adventurous runner, and home to the 104km Paddy Buckley Round. In this book, author Steve Franklin has collected together many of his favourite runs, from low-lying loops around idyllic llyns and reservoirs, to serious hands-on-knees fell runs on some of Snowdonia's biggest mountains. Summit Snowdon, Cadair Idris and Conwy Mountain, and discover quieter corners of the country around Cnicht, the Northern Carneddau and the Crafnant valley. Each route features clear and easy-to-use Ordnance Survey 1:25,000 maps, easy-to-follow directions, details of distance and timings, and refreshment stops and local knowledge.

Cutting-edge advice on how to achieve your personal best, for everyone from casual runners to ultramarathoners.

In 80/20 Running, respected running and fitness expert Matt Fitzgerald introduced his revolutionary training program and explained why doing 80 percent of runs at a lower intensity and just 20 percent at a higher intensity is the best way for runners at all levels--as well as cyclists, triathletes, and even weight-loss seekers--to improve their performance.

Now, in this eye-opening follow-up, Fitzgerald teams with Olympic coach Ben Rosario to expand and update the 80/20 program to include ultramarathon training and such popular developments as the use of power meters.

New research has bolstered the case that the 80/20 method is in fact that most effective way to train for distance running and other endurance sports. Run Like a Pro (Even If You’re Slow) shows readers how to take the best practices in elite running and adopt them within the limits of their own ability, lifestyle, and budget.

Shaping up for a triathlon is serious business. "Triathlon Training For Dummies" is packed with insider tips and proven methods for training for a triathlon and pumping yourself into the best possible shape by race day. It helps you find the motivation you need to stick to your program, eat better to maximize your energy, and prevent injures both before and during the race.

This authoritative guide helps you evaluate your cardiovascular fitness, muscle strength, endurance, and flexibility, and to set manageable realistic training goals. You'll learn how to establish a workout schedule, choose a target finish time get the right, affordable equipment you'll need for each leg of the race, and maximize your fitness and form for swimming, biking, and running. You'll also get plenty of help in putting it all together as you focus your training, add dual workouts, become a quick-change artist, and save time during transitions. Discover how to: Choose an event to train for based on your fitness levelGet into your best possible shapeSelect the right equipment and sportswearTrain for an Olympic, Sprint, or Ironman triathlonFuel your body and prevent injuriesPrepare for training sessionsMaintain energy and recover quicklySet training schedules for every triathlon eventTreat common training and racing injuriesLive like an athlete

"Triathlon Training For Dummies" comes complete with resources for finding triathlons near you, lists of items to bring along on race day, and tips on registration formalities and racing etiquette.""

'Running with Karnazes is like setting up one's easel next to Monet or Picasso.' The New York Times In his follow-up to the bestselling Ultramarathon Man, Dean Karnazes is back with more mind-blowing tales of how he pushes his mind and body to limits which are inconceivable to most of us. In Run! Dean shares the pleasure - and considerable pain - of some of his most memorable adventures, including: - a gentle 350-mile canter through the surprisingly hilly Australian Outback; - his annual attempts at the Badwater Ultramarathon in Death Valley, California (typical temperature: 45 degrees); and - the notorious 4 Deserts races, a masochist's delight encompassing four separate 155-mile runs across the Atacama Crossing, the Gobi, the Sahara and Antarctica...with rationed water. Dean's entertaining and endearing stories are sure to inspire both dedicated and vicarious runners alike.

An electrifying look inside the wild world of extreme distance running.

Once the reserve of only the most hardcore enthusiasts, ultra running is now a thriving global industry, with hundreds of thousands of competitors each year. But is the rise of this most brutal and challenging sport—with races that extend into hundreds of miles, often in extreme environments—an antidote to modern life, or a symptom of a modern illness?

In The Rise of the Ultra Runners, award-winning author Adharanand Finn travels to the heart of the sport to investigate the reasons behind its rise and discover what it takes to join the ranks of these ultra athletes. Through encounters with the extreme and colorful characters of the ultramarathon world, and his own experiences of running ultras everywhere from the deserts of Oman to the Rocky Mountains, Finn offers a fascinating account of people testing the boundaries of human endeavor.

For any runner considering training for a half marathon, author Jeff Galloway can help them prepare to train, enjoy training, and cross the finish line strong. In this book, the author outlines for each runner how to select a realistic goal and what workouts to use to best prepare for the race. He includes tips for staying motivated while at the same time eliminating aches, pains, and injuries. He also assures the runner that his training will not consume the runner's time so that they can train successfully while still enjoying other aspects of life. The author's successful and unique run-walk-run training method has helped thousands of average people train for half marathons, even if they have never run before. Using this program, even veteran runners can improve their personal bests. With this book, every runner will be given a step-by-step guide on setting up their training each week so that they will finish the half marathon strong.