To the uninitiated, reading and running may seem like two very mutually exclusive hobbies. However, if you are serious about learning everything you can about the science behind running and how you can use running to improve both your physical and mental well-being, there are a wide range of exceptional running books available to read. To get you started, here are the four best running books for 2020.
Run to the Finish: The Everyday Runner’s Guide to Avoiding Injury, Ignoring the Clock, and Loving the Run by Amanda Brooks
For those of you who aren’t enticed by the idea of competing for trophies and becoming a professional runner, Run to Finish by Amanda Brooks is a book that is chock-full of helpful information for causal and beginner runners. If you are looking for a comprehensive primer on running that will tell you everything you need to know to get started, give this helpful book a read.
Bravey by Alexi Pappas
Written by Olympic runner, actress, and filmmaker Alexi Pappas, Bravey is an inspiring memoir that showcases just how beneficial running can be and just how far it is able to take you in life. If you need a little jolt of inspiration to help motivate you to complete your daily run, reading Bravey is sure to do the trick.
Science of Running: Analyze Your Technique, Prevent Injury, Revolutionize Your Training by Chris Napier
If you would like a comprehensive analysis of the science behind running complete with a litany of tips on how to maximize the benefits you gain from running then Science of Running by Chris Napier is the book for you. Having earned a Ph.D. in running biomechanics and injury prevention, Napier is one of the world’s leading authorities on the science of running, and his book by the same name is must-read material for anyone who is serious about changing their physical health through running.
Running the Dream: One Summer Living, Training, and Racing with a Team of World-Class Runners Half My Age by Matt Fitzgerald
As an amateur runner in his 40s, Matt Fitzgerald took on the daunting task of training with the Northern Arizona Elite team in Flagstaff, AZ. His stories of delving into the life of a professional runner as a middle-aged amateur are both wildly entertaining and inspiring, demonstrating that anyone can excel in the sport of running with enough dedication regardless of their age or experience level.
Conclusion For those fascinated by the sport of running, reading about running can be just as enjoyable as the hobby itself. Whether you would like to learn more about the science behind running or would like to be inspired by the stories of runners who have risen to the top of their sport, there are certainly plenty of great books on the market that will keep you running and reading throughout 2020.
