I don’t know how the tradition of “summer reading” got started, but somehow I have a feeling it has something to do with the New York Times and the Hamptons.

Anyway, the warmer weather and the lazier pace has put me in the mood to read more and do less, so I went on the hunt for some great books about running to share with Traxees. Here’s a few of my selections for summer runner readers everywhere:

ChiRunning  (Buy It!)
Danny and Katherine Dreyer

Ultra-marathoner Danny Dreyer and his publisher/health guru wife Katherine wrote this landmark book about 5 years ago and it’s still considered a standard bearer on the subject of injury free running.. Dreyer, who studied with t’ai chi master George Xu, teaches readers how to employ techniques that reduce the potential for injury, decrease pain, ensure safe distance running through the adaptation of the techniques of yoga, Pilates and t’ai chi. ChiRunning employs the deep power reserves in the core muscles in the trunk and is easily learned by all runners regardless of experience level. A must read for anyone who does distance.

Here’s an excerpt:

“Transitioning properly into and out of your runs will not only have beneficial effects on your workouts; it can also be used as an everyday ritual that connects your running with the rest of your life, making it a sacred event, which it is.”

You know you’ve got to read this book

Running Within (Buy It!)
Jerry Lynch and Warren Scott

In Running Within, sports psychologist Lynch and triathlete Scott offer insight and guidance on developing body mind and spirit to improve performance, experience a deeper connection with running and have more fun! The book offers training techniques to help break through mental barriers, reach higher levels of performance and thrive in competition.

Of this book, three time Olympiad Regina Jacobs says “Jerry Lynch…teaches you to use your heart and soul to achieve your wildest dreams…(he) has clearly shown the path to the body, mind and spirit connection to help athletes obtain meaningful results.”

Here’s an excerpt:

“On the long and wide journey of becoming your personal best in the sport of distance running, you must first take the step of attending to the fires of your passion, of discovering motivation and using goals as beacons in the distance to keep you on track. For most of us, the terms motivation and goals are quite familiar, yet often extrinsic or results-oriented. We will open our minds to break away from traditional thinking about these time honored concepts to embrace a different, more dynamic paradigm that clearly validates and nurtures the intrinsic benefits of the notion of running within.”

So cool. 

 

The Runner’s Yoga Book: A Balanced Approach to Fitness (Buy It!)
Jean Couch

Writer and yoga teacher Jean Couch’s book is lavishly embellished with over 400 photographs and illustrations appropriate for beginning and advanced students alike. The great thing about this book is that it focuses, (much like a typical training book), on poses addressing particular areas of the body while promising the development of body awareness, the balancing of flexibility AND strength, improvement in concentration and the ability to manage stress.

Here’s an excerpt:

The specialized ways of the Western world have so thoroughly dissected the human being that it is common to accept false divisions of the human being into body, mind, and spirit. The emphasis on intellectual pursuits accompanied by neglect of both body and spirit are manifestations of the assumption that happiness can be accomplished through the head alone. But signs of dissatisfaction with this situation are everywhere visible. Self-help and consciousness-raising groups that nurture the spirit are flourishing. The importance of physical fitness has come to be more and more appreciated. These new waves of enthusiasm reflect an attempt to more thoroughly integrate the body with the mind and spirit…those who wish to realize their own wholeness can turn to yoga.”

If her name sounds familiar, it may be because Jean Couch’s pieces have periodically appeared in Runner’s World magazine. This is a great book and very detailed – newbies won’t get lost or confused.

Highly recommended!

Women Who Run (Buy It!)
Shanti Sosieski

SO inspirational! In Women Who Run a broad range of women – from well-known Olympiads to recreational runners talk about why they run and what continues to spark their love of the sport. This compilation includes women’s thoughts about the ways in which running has become as essential to their daily lives as food and water and how, despite all lifestyle obstacles, they keep at it. If you love the personal story genre (I do), you’ll love this book.

Here’s an excerpt:

Twelve years ago, Lori Shannon…decided to run a marathon. Her friends thought she was crazy. “They didn’t say why, but she knew what they were thinking. Lori is the first to admit she doesn’t look like the stereotypical marathoner. She’s five foot three inches tall and wears a size 16. She’s been this size for as long as she can remember. But she didn’t let herself get railroaded by her friends’ doubt. Instead, she went to an athletic apparel store to stock up. The salesperson looked her up and down, raised his eyebrows and said ‘YOU want to run a marathon?’ Little did she know at the time, but this question would launch her new career.” (Lori is the founder and President of See Jane Run.)

WOW! This one is a quick, must-read for inspiration and motivation, eh?

What about you? What are you reading this summer?

 

::
ChiRunning copyright, 2004 by Danny Dreyer. Fireside Press
Running Within, copyright 1999 by Jerry Lynch and Warren A. Scott
The Runner’s Yoga Book, copyright 1990 by Jean Couch. World Publications, Inc.
Women Who Run, copyright 2006 by Shanti Sosienski. Seal Press.

 

• Currently 2.0/5 Stars.

Tags: books about running, yoga for runners, chirunning, running within, summer reading, training books, women runners, inspiration, motivation

Oh cool, I love book recommendations...as for Women Who RUn..it just reminded me of a great women's read 'Women Who Run With The Wolves' by Clarissa Pinkola Estes'. The book is not about running, but about the very strong and deliberate heart/soul of the feminine spirit. Posted by: KDface on Jun 18, 2008 at 04:41 PM