need a little running motivation?

Hey Guys!!  I’ve just finished with the Saturday morning fitness/fitmixer/breakfast sessions.  Currently sitting in a lecture about submitting posts to editors – I NEEEEED help and want to get into more freelance (btw, go to Mom365 for all of my current freelance work with them – lots of workouts for moms!)

Today’s post comes from Amanda, who is actually here at Fitbloggin’ – I think I’ve hugged her like 4 times.  Thanks, Amanda, for giving us some new reading material!

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Nothing gets me excited to run like a great book…and a new pair of running shoes.  When it comes to running books they tend to fall in to one of two categories: Instruction or Motivation.

Following is a mix of books that will fit either need depending on where you are in your journey!

TOP 5 MOTIVATIONAL RUNNING BOOKS:

1.  Train Like A Mother

When Run Like a Mother came out, I admit that I shunned it thinking that as a non-mommy runner it simply wouldn’t have any value for me. Luckily a friend lent me the book and very pleasantly reminded me that you can’t judge a book by it’s cover.

Authors Sarah and Dimity have proven that no matter your circumstance, healthy/injured, solo/group we’ve all experienced many of the same things. In Train Like a Mother: How to Get Across Any Finish Line – and Not Lose Your Family, Job, or Sanity, they provide practical advice, training plans and anecdotes that further show how connected we all are! Read a full review>>

2.  Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand

This may not be billed as your standard running story, but this book is the story of Louis Zamparini a legendary American runner who enlists during WWII. This is one of the greatest stories of survival, grit and human spirit that I’ve read…or in this case listened to while running. If you are looking for audio book to keep your attention and encourage you to put in some extra miles this is the one!

I don’t want to give away any major details, but just one example of how this type of story speaks to the marathoners brain: At one point Louis is stuck on a raft in the ocean with two other soldiers for not days, but MONTHS without water, without food, without movement…with sharks, with sun, with dehydration..and yet he found mental tricks to help him survive and continue onward.

3.  A Life Without Limits by Chrissie Wellington

 A Life Without Limits: A World Champion’s Journey is probably filled under autobiography, as it tells the story of Chrissie Wellington’s life (4 time Ironman winner) and yet it’s so much more. The thought processes she shares during training can help any athlete learn to push through discomfort and enjoy the moment. It is a reminder to travel, to live and to enjoy the heck out of whatever it is that you choose to do!! Read a full review>>

4.  Brain Training for Runners by Matt Fitzgerald

This book has become my training bible, assuming I were to worship a book. While the bulk of the book contains training plans for the 5K to marathon for beginner, intermediate and advanced runners, even those portions are unique to what I’ve seen in many other plans.

Prior to the training plans he walks you through the details about why each workout is important, tricks to help improve your running form, ideas for pre and post run muscle care and most importantly through the entire training process helping to keep you injury free and mentally prepared for the tough moments. If you like lots of details or enjoy geeking out like me on all things running then Brain Training For Runners: A Revolutionary New Training System to Improve Endurance, Speed, Health, and Results should be in your training tool box!

5.  Running with the Buffaloes: A Season Inside with Mark Wetmore, Adam Goucher, and the University of Colorado Men’s Cross Country Team by Chris Lear

Who knew a book about running could make you cry?? Aside from that tear jerking moment I LOVED THIS BOOK. While most of us cannot related to running with a group of guys who are doing a 5:30 pace for 20 miles…on an easy day..it definitely wraps you in the running spirit and certainly awakens a desire to hit the track.  

The book follows a training season with the Colorado University cross country team, a year which included some notable runners like Adam Goucher. The passion in the writing allows you to imagine what it might be like to have run with a team, the highs, the lows, the crazy workouts, the injuries and the companionship.

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Amanda, a six-time marathoner and soon to be certified personal trainer, is the author of RunToTheFinish, a fitness and healthy living website that stemmed from her passion for running.

She is an ecommerce consultant, freelance writer, speaker and social media fiend. Amanda combined her love of writing, strategy and running to develop a site that is a destination for tips, motivation and tools for getting the most out of the healthy living journey.

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QUESTION:  Do you run?  Read any good motivational books lately?

splendid…lindsay