I have found that one of the best ways to get or stay inspired about running and triathlon is reading a good book about the sport. During this time of year I find it especially helpful since the cold, dark, dreary days don’t make me want to get out and swim, bike run as much as the long days of summer. I really enjoy reading magazines and regularly read Runners World, Triathlete and Women’s Running but I don’t think they are as inspiring as a full length book/memoir can be. Here are some books that I have loved reading and have sparked my dedication to train in these cold dark days:
Chrissie Wellington’s A Life Without Limits: A World Champion’s Journey
Such a great book about the love of sport and her journey undefeated ironman champion. I would have loved more detail about what she did for training during her time with Brett Sutton, but I love to read about other people’s training and this might be a highly guarded secret anyway.
Matt Long’s The Long Run: A New York City Firefighter’s Triumphant Comeback from Crash Victim to Elite Athlete
If this book doesn’t inspire you to get after it nothing will. If you are at all feeling bad about yourself for being injured or not doing as well as you would like, this book can help put things in perspective.
You Are an Ironman: How Six Weekend WarriorsChased Their Dream of Finishing the World’s Toughest Triathlon
Maybe a little less inspiring but really cool to read about age groupers experience in getting ready to race Ironman Arizona.
Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, andthe Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen
I would love to learn more at Brett Sutton, there is NOTHING about his coaching philsophy ANYWHERE, it might be the best kept secret. All I know he is brash and speaks his mind, and if you dont like it, leave.
I read Born to Run right before my first IM and I LOVED it. I was inspiring to go run barefoot. I think I came away realizing that there might actually be something harder than IM. My favorite quote “I always start races expecting to something spectacular and then I’m reduced to where I am right now, where the best I can hope for is not to puke on my feet”. Or something along those lines 🙂
I just read Macca’s book. I appreciate all the talk he gave regarding the mental toughness one needs to survive the sport. It’s a really good book.
Oooh Chrissie Wellington’s book and Born to Run are two of my faves! I just bought the Long Run a few weeks ago and am pretty pumped to read it. The other book on my list is Scott Jurek’s book Eat and Run – it looks awesome and I totally enjoyed the first (free) chapter off the Kobo website.. Now when they stop charging $20 for an eBook (that Kindle sells for $3!!) I will buy it 🙂
one of the best running books i have ever read. also a great insight into a lost culture. teaches that some people can achieve great things with hard work and determination. have read it 2 times and am about to read it again.The Equation
“A Life Without Limits” is really great. Check out “Marathon Journey, An Achilles Story” It is a nice inspiring story about marathon running.