Running Books

I am not a new runner, and I have been blessed with some of the best coaches in the country at every level: high school, college and beyond. I found that at each level I questioned why I was being told what to do a little more, and this is the first time I have really picked up a book on running. I now wish I had started reading running books a long time ago. I have learned so much about the physiological reason I do things from this book, that my day-to-day training awareness has reached a whole new level. Brad gives the real physiological explanations as to why training stimuli has to change and what it should change to. He explains why hill sprints are so beneficial, why the different threshold levels of training are so important, and how to train as hard as possible while avoiding injury. Most importantly, he teaches the reader how to own their training, which makes training for a race feel so much more like an adventure than a formula. I recommend this book for every level of runner & especially those who want to understand what they should be doing and why.

This is a great book for both runners and coaches. Coaches and students of training philosphy rarely get a glimpse into the plans of our current elites and olympians. But the book is not just about elites. It's how every runner, of every age and abilty, can buid, develop and monitor thier own training program. Let's face it, very few regular runners have access to a good coach, let alone one of the best. I've been running for many years and I will be adopting many of his ideas and workouts into my training.

This is one of the best books ever written on running training. I'm a masters athlete racing mile, 5k and 10k and I think I've just about read them all -- Brad's is the clearest breakdown of what you need to do, and when, that I have ever read.

If you've struggled with Daniels and Noakes (great though they are), this is the book for you. I predict you will finally understand what you are doing!

What I loved about Brad's book is that he can explain thing so simply. In his system/no system he's got 12 most effective training methods and three - yes just 3 - basic types of training. I love it.

System/no system? Yes; the book's plan is kind of interactive. Brad insists that your schedule MUST be individualized. You need to read, absorb, plan, try stuff out -- and adjust according to the feedback you get, not just blindly follow tables of speed and distances. He gives all the tools you need to work things out.

Bear in mind, too, that Brad is not coming at this from an academic/theoretical point of view, but is a highly successful coach currently training Olympic-level runners.

Totally recommended. A caveat for fellow masters runners: the typeface is small and sans serif. It's a 278-page book that should probably be twice that size with a more readable typeface. It's the only book I've read for months for which I've had to dig out my reading glasses!

This is the book I was looking for. Very easy to understand. I'm a 33 year old beginner, but want to get the best out of me before it's too late, it's not for the walk/run beginners plan or for those looking to loose weight, this is for those who want to take the sport seriously regardless of the current level and take it to the next. Ever wanted to have a professional/elite coach? Look for the answer inside.

There are only a few great running books out there, and no doubt is this book included onto petite list. This book really help gives you a better understanding of his philosophy of 'Adaptive Running'. The book is filled with great knowledge touching topics such as Aerobic Support, Muscle Training, Specific-Endurance Training, and etc. But it doesn't just stop there. It even touches the elements of running economy, power, fatigue resistance, self-assessment, training execution and Adaptive Training plan. If you want to help propel yourself to the next level in either an athlete, or a coach. This is the book for you!

Buy it and you won't regret it.

Better than expected with quotes and daily reminders of why we started to run and what motivates us to continue.

The daily readings are well written, appropriate, inspirational and at times informative. This is a great way to start off your day whether you are running that day or not.

The Runner's Book of Daily Inspiration:A Year of Motivation, Revelation, and Instruction is most likely the best investment I have ever made. Last year, I made a resoltion to myself to get in shape, eat healthy, and basically be a fit person inside and out. This is not a very easy resolution to fulfill, as I soon found out. It was my plan to run at least 3 times a week, and supplement it with another form of aerobic exercise. Very quickly, I lost my motivation, and was not living up to my expectations. I came upon this book soon afterwards, and tried to regain my motivation. After restarting my exercise program along with reading this book, I am now running every day of the week, rain or shine, hot or cold, I run through it all, all due this very book. If you buy one book in your life, buy Catcher in the Rye. But if you buy two, buy this one too!

This book was given to me as a gift. Being a "novice runner" of two years, I found this book to be very motivational. It is very intuitive on the thoughts of runners and some of the obstacles runners may encounter and how to get beyond those barriers. I have thought it such an excellent book that I am suprised it is not readily stocked and available for 24 hour shipping, especially during the holiday season. You know us last minute shoppers. Great gift idea for the novice or avid runner in your life if you can find a copy of it in time.

I read this book every day and love it! Kevin Nelson gives practical, fun and whimsical advice to people who love (or want to love) to run.

While taking an African American literature course in college I was introduced to this novella written by William Craft. It is a must-read for American and African American history classes. The novella is a quick and easy read, with the capacity for great discussion and in-depth analysis. Humor, suspense, mystery and action is all provided in this wonderful tale of escape and hypocrisey.

Ellen and William Craft were a young (mid-20's) slave couple who made a daring escape to freedom. Light-skinned Ellen cut her hair short and dressed in the suit and tophat of a white planter. Since she was illiterate, her husband William made a sling for her arm, so she had an excuse not to sign hotel registers. And since she had a womanly voice, the couple devised a poultice tied around her jaw indicating she had a bad toothache and could not speak. William played the role of his white massa's slave. And the couple traveled by train, steamship, and wagon to their destination in the north. They soon became popular lecturers in the United States and Europe. This is a remarkable story of daring and bravery and should be read by everyone. Anyone who wants to introduce their children to good historical fiction should get them The Journal of Darien Duff, an Emancipated Slave, The Diary of a Slave Girl, Ruby Jo, and The Journal of Leroy Jones, a Fugitive Slave.

I read this for a college history survey course before it was mistakenly announced that the book was out of print. The book was dropped from the syllabus, but I am glad I read it anyway.

The first and shortest part of the book is William Craft's powerful account of how he and his wife Ellen executed a daring escape from servitude in Georgia. Their plan was remarkable in its ingenuity: The almost white Ellen, outfitted with a master's clothes and a poultice on her face to prevent incriminating speech with strangers, and her husband William, disguised as a servant, escaped to freedom in the north. Travelling by rail, the pair exultantly crossed over into Canada and from thence headed for England.

The second part of the book is a third person summary of the couple's travels after their ambitious escape. It follows them from Georgia through the slave and free states, in which they were well received and protected (especially in Boston), up to Halifax and across the water to England. I found the final two thirds of the book the most enjoyable, as it treated of foreign travel, in which I have a keen interest. Both portions of the book are beautifully written and often gripping. I hope a few of my classmates read this before that announcement. This book is both pleasurable to read and historically vital.

This book is a captivating account of the injustices of slavery and a amazing story of two fugitives running for there freedom. This book is a great story that should be taught in schools and should not be ignored in American History classes. It opened my mind to the horrors slavery actually caused. It represents a part of our history that should never be repeated. 5 plus stars.

Running a Thousand Miles for Freedom is a must read for all American history students and should be required reading at least at the high school level. This book gives the reader a first-person view of that "Peculiar Instition" known as slavery and to what lengths one will go to achieve personal freedom. This book will change your view of slavery forever.

I've read Ms. Newberry's "Running Like A Woman With Her Hair On Fire" more than once because it's one of THOSE kinds of poetry books. The kind that draw you in with their simple and stunning use of language and hold you with their ability to grab your emotions. I read it straight through first and now I like to randomly open the book to a page and see what I get...it always leads me to something I need to experience in the moment...one of her poignant insights or beautiful pictures of humanity. Thanks for writing it! I look forward to checking out her book "The Banyan and the Alder" next.

It was with a great deal of pleasure and a hunger to find any and all of Martina Newberry's work, that I finished her newest book, "Running Like a Woman With Her Hair on Fire."

These are eloquent and sometimes painfully intimate poems which link the reality and unreality of a life constantly growing and reaching. I have learned that hers is not a new voice in American poetry, but it is most certainly a strong voice backed by a spirit willing to take risks.

These poems are finely crafted, but never overworked. They do not come from workshops or literary know-how--they come from inside a real person. Each poem is remarkable,authentic--wrapt with wonder, curiosity, tenderness for the human condition and, sometimes, anger in its defense.

Pleasure, pain, fear, humor, courage are the roads Ms. Newberry travels and she takes her readers with her to discover their own destinations.

In looking for more of her work, I've found a second book of poems, "An Apparent, Approachable Light," on Amazon.com, and a book of non-fiction--"Lima Beans and City Chicken: A Memoir of the Open Hearth," which is out of print but I found it "used" by searching the internet.

I very much hope that we see many more books from her in the future. I gave it four stars because I would have liked for it to be a longer book.

If you're looking for a book of poetry,where the author strokes the canvas with beautiful colors and happy endings; this book is not for you.
If however, you want life as it is:sometimes beautiful, sometimes ugly but always honest,then this is a must read book!
Ms Newberry manages to dig down deep into the belly of the person or situtation and explores the human spirit with such candor that it is like looking into your very soul and finding a place you never knew existed. Also, marvelous use of metaphors.
"Look up. The hole you fell into
is still a hole. Up at the top, the opening there steers the sun
onto your not-so-pretty face.
A blessing."
Bravo to martina Newberry. This is one book I will read again and again

Running Like A Woman With Her Hair on Fire is the latest collection of poems by Martina Newberry. Like a painter with her brush, each poem paints strong emotion--each idea comes with a stroke of thought-provoking power. The sad beauty of "On the First Day of October" is written in such a way that the reader can see the words in motion like a moving painting.

My favorite in the collection is "James Dean's Shadow." The poem evokes warmth and a subtle pain at the same time. The poet says, regarding shadows, "...I started out with one, then lost it somewhere and it has remained lost, unless, of course, it was found by God and reassigned-the way they reassigned James Dean's shadow after his horrible car accident. You remember. . ."

This is a book to be read over and over again. And I will do that.

I bought this book at a Book Fair in Los Angeles because I liked the cover. I don't usually read much poetry. Once I started reading it, I couldn't stop. These are poems that anyone can relate to. I actually laughed and cried while I was reading them. This is a book to enjoy with good music playing and a glass of wine. A good book to buy for a friend or family member so you can share about what you've read.

After I read the book, I ordered another book by this author, also on Amazon, called "Apparent, Approachable Light." This book is really beautiful too.

Thank you for your quick and prompt service the item was as said it arrived quicker than what was implied.

Best, easiest to understand and fun to read. This book more than any other laid the foundation for my understanding of computer science.

Thank you Mr. Van Wolverton!

P.S. Just buy it -- you will be glad you did.

This book is simply the best reference source for MS-DOS. Easy to read and providing in-depth coverage of all DOS commands, this book covers version 6.22 as well as letting you know when a command first appeared and in what version of DOS.

If you wanted only one book on DOS, this is the one!

I was looking for a fundamental DOS book covering basic and network commands, scripts, and a reference. What I got was a book written before Windows 95 with no updated network Commands and a reference not formatted like a dictionary but more like a written chapter. It is a great first book for DOS but I wish I noticed the publish date.

This book is full of hands-on exercises, accurate examples, and a very good starting point for those of us who still have to deal with MS-DOS. Even though many claim that DOS is gone, it is alive an kicking within Windows NT, Windows 95, and Windows 98, and only true experts of DOS receive a full appreciation of a command line and automated tasks that DOS environment offers over GUI.

I haven't even read your book yet but I will give it a 5 because I'm just that nice. Thanks for the joke of the day today. It was so funny.:-(

The best student you will ever have,

Nate Williams

Mahna Mahna doo doo dee doo doo Mahna Mahna

he is my social studies teacher so i have to give him 5 stars. but i am sure the book is worth it.

This novel is one of the most intense I have read in years. Chris Edwards does a masterful job of getting inside the heads of two very different men and showing what drives them to overcome the damage done to them and by them. The novel provides a realistic glimpse into a tortured mind, and also shows how family and other relationships can both heal and harm. I particularly enjoyed the sweet friendship between George and his young grandson Nicholas. Running on Shattered Glass tells a harsh, illuminating story which will remain with me for a long time.

I was given this book as a gift, and wasn't originally sure if the subject of farms being sold-out to suburban developers would interest me. After I began reading it, I was very pleasantly surprised. Not only was I able to relate to the plight of the main character's struggle over whether to sell his farm, but the sub-plot of a character dealing with mental illness added wonderful depth to the story. Having farmers in my family, this book did not fit into the stereotypes I have always held. In many ways this was good for me, because it opened my mind to what the farming lifestyle holds for some people. It made me realize that it isn't always about the money. The decision to give up one's livelihood, even for large sums of money, is not always the most desireable outcome.

I found the book "Running on Shattered Glass" a captivating read. The author did an outstanding job of making the reader empathize with and visualize the characters. The story is centered on two main characters George and Justin. George is a farmer with deteriorating health torn between his commitment to his deceased wife and his commitments to what his life has become without her. This life includes Justin, a kid from the "wrong side of the tracks", who is George's hired farm-hand. Justin is battling inner demons and strives for some type of normalcy in his life. When George is faced with the tough decision of whether or not to give up the farm to his estranged children, the only stabilizing factor in Justin's life is now jeopardized.

The book did a great job of holding my interest and it kept me anticipating the next chapter. I would strongly recommend this book to anyone looking for an interesting read.

This book is a great resource for anyone with an interest in what MACV-SOG was doing during the war in Vietnam. In addition to a plethora of never before seen pictures, the book follows the story of a young man (the author) from Basic Training to Airborne and SF training, deployment to Vietnam, and, ultimately, assignment to MACV-SOG.

Fascinating, just fascinating.

This was a very informative book.These men saved many lives by doing the things that they secretly did, the recognition is well deserved.

Steve Stacy

Greco described this book best by calling it the "scrapbook of a covert organization never meant to see the light of day." (Acknowledgements, X) This is exactly what this work is. Not only does it reflect his experiences while serving in SOG, but it reflects the overall experience of running highly classified missions into enemy controlled territory.

Before I bought this book, I was somewhat apprehensive because I had already bought John L. Plaster's book "SOG: A Photo History of the Secret Wars" and I was afraid that they'd be very similar in photos and content. While some photos appear in both books, they are each their own separate works and both compliment the other very well.

I am truly thankful to Greco and Plaster and the others alike who served in SOG and performed a job against such incredible and sometimes suicidal odds. Furthermore, thank you for taking the time to compile your experiences into something that can be read and held by those who were never there.

thank goodness for an interprising soldier who saved the photos and info
from a lab fire and has now shared his secret world with the masses. It
gives another and more in depth view of cross border RECON in the Nam war.
Coupled with Plaster's SOG and Harris' Break Contact-Continue Mission, we
can mentally imbed with these soldiers as they risked all to interdict the workings of a cruel and voracious enemy. The book tells the story.
Great work Frank..

This book is right up there with MAJ (R) Plaster's earlier works. Predominantly consisting of a well-written narrative and unique, previously unpublished photographs, Mr. Greco's contribution to the history of SOG is incredible. As a historian and currently serving Soldier, this is a fantastic look into a world that the bureaucrats tried to forget or suppress, at least until the next war where they needed something like it again. Great work!

I wasn't even going to read this after buying it as a gift for my sports loving beau. But just before I started to wrap it, I thumbed through the booklet, and couldn't put it down. I'm not even a sports fan but this had me laughing out loud for a couple hours. It's also helped me snap my beau out of his sports watching haze by making him laugh with jokes and comments based on this book. My only critique is that the voodoo doll is in serious need of a makeover.

I got this book as a gift from my friend. I like the cover, artwork, and doll. I thought artist did a great job. I started to read the book and I thought this book was hilarious.
I also bought this book later as a gift for my dad, because he is a big sports fan. Great book as a gift, in affordable price.

This book had me laughing a lot. The author obviously knows his sports and loves them but also knows how to have a good time watching them. Lots of references to great players and coaches and teams and lots and lots of good laughs. I especially liked the Billy Martin spell. Maybe Yankees fans can use this stuff to get their team back on top next season.

Although I normally wouldn't encourage being an enabler of such behavior, this book was a hit with the Super Fan in my life. Hilarious, well-written, and even a non-sports enthusiast like me was extremely entertained!

I wasn't real thrilled getting this kit as a gift from my girlfriend (I think it was her way of telling me I watch too much sports). But then I started reading the book that comes with it last night and didn't stop until I was through-except for when I was laughing to hard to keep going. Really funny stuff. The read is well worth the price even if you never use the voodoo doll and spells.

I actually bought this book because I am always looking for great, meaningful movies to watch and when I saw it I thought this would be perfect!

Also - I passed it along to my friend who is a teacher and she has used it in her class for friday movie-days . . .

I just saw this book listed in my local paper and I ordered it right away because I have teens who are difficult to communicate with. Last night I actually sat down with my son and daughter and we watched "Scent of a Woman." We had a great discussion afterwards about cheating, friendships etc. This book was a god send. I recommend it to anyone with children who are tough to talk to. Thank you to the authors for this wonderful addition to our library.

Every parent has been confronted by the blank stare displayed by their child when confronted with a difficult topic they simply wish not to discuss with you. This book overs an antidote to that ennui with the simple, but brilliant idea of 'taking" your kid to the movies instead. This is accomplished by the easy expedient of slamming a video tape in your own home vcr.It offers the "safe" outlet of entertainment as a catylist for serious discussion by employing salient guidelines and analysis of over 100 theatrical films.

This is a terrific book for sharing with yor family and almost every family likes movies. The analysis is quite inciteful and the movies choices are interesting and inspired. The lessons are good ones and easily followed by children and adults.

I really like this book! The introduction is extremely helpful and provides a lot of insight into using films within the family structure. A giant step beyond just a movie guide, this book shows parents like me how I can use movies to learn more about my kids. I have a ten year old son who is not the easiest person to talk to, so I'm confident that many of the movies in Talking Pictures will provide the common ground needed for us to have some of those meaningful talks.

Professional and amateur triathletes alike will benefit from these tips to help you become a better runner. Find the right training plan for you.

Excellent resource for serious traithletes and amateur atheletes alike. I purchased this book for my triathlete husband and one of his daughters who is a runner. Although he majored in physical education and has been an active athlete, teacher, and trainer himself all his life, this book has still helped him to improve his running ability. He now also owns a Seiko metronome and making good use of it with his indoor training on our treadmill. My husband is now 69 and still a winning triathlete!

Mierke is an expert in Evolution style running and presents the knowledge necessary to improve one's running skills. The author also discusses approaches to racing and ideas for training plans for various triathlon distances. A great reference!

As a triathlete going on my 15th season, I have seen most of the stuff out there. This book is great in that it starts by teaching running technique, which most people ignore. Sure we all know technique is crucial in swimming, but it is in running as well. The author also has a video on his "Evolution" run technique which I have on order.

He claims to have achieved significant efficiency and hence speed improvements in even long-time elite runners, and I believe it. Look at it it this way - you can spend $1000 on race wheels and gain 30secs, or spend a few dollars on this book and/or video and gain more time through efficiency increases.

He also points out that most running injuries are caused by poor technique, and I agree completely. If you have a nagging injury, fix your technique. I have seen this work myself on many runners - try it.

A wonderful bonus is that this book contains one of the best summaries of eating to get and stay lean that I have seen. An entire chpater is devoted to this, and makes the book well worth it if you are just trying to figure out how to lose weight.

This is a worthy and high return on investment book for any triathlete.

Sometimes you're glad when you're asked by Amazon to review a book - in some cases due to the fact that they stink, in others because you've purchased something that you really feel that you can recommend to others. This book belongs in the second category.

The Triathlete's Guide to Run Training is simply the most comprehensive and well structured, easy-to-read, hands-on book about running that I've ever seen (and believe me, as a triathlete I've gone through everything from Posetech to ChiRunning in my quest for reduced run times).

The book will take you through Technique (the actual physics of running, i.e., where does all that energy go that you spend on the track?, how to reduce energy waste and maximize forward propulsion, etc.), Training (planning, bricks, etc.), Preparations, and finally, Racing. The way it's done makes you understand just how good Mierke must be as a coach: everything is short, crisp and to the point.

If you're training by yourself, there are plenty of drills in the book that will take you a long way towards better running efficiency. If you're a coach, there's a lot of stuff from basic to advanced that you can use in your coaching. If you're training with a coach, give him the book and ask him to use it when coaching you - I did and the result has been remarkable: not only do I run faster, I run almost effortlessly after hard biking, and - moreover - I enjoy my running even during races. The only thing that has made that much of a difference for my racing is Total Immersion Swimming (which, by the way, also focuses on efficiency rather than raw power).

In short: highly recommendable book for anyone who's interested in running faster and more efficient (is there anyone who doesn't?). Extra plus for the integration of running into biking specifically and triathlon in general.