Nita Sweeney’s Depression Hates a Moving Target is once again featured as the running book to read.
Here’s twenty-four of the best running books for some exciting late-night reading!
There’s something about reading that holds a place in all of our hearts, it’s time to ourselves, a time to indulge in our passions, and sometimes to learn something new. If you’re a runner, chances are you’ve read your fair share of running books, however, there’s probably a few you’ve missed – or perhaps not gotten around to just yet.
Therefore, we’ve provided twenty-two of the best running books available for runners in 2021, from the all-time classic born to run to those dedicated to training such as Daniel’s running formula, here are our twenty-three top picks.
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1. Born to run
Author: Christopher McDougall
The New York Times Best Seller, Born to Run by Christopher McDougall sets out to answer one simple question: why does my foot hurt? In search of the answer, McDougall sets out on a great adventure meeting some of the greatest runners the world has ever seen. What will take you on a phenomenal adventure, Born to Run is a must-have for all runners out there – especially if you’re in the barefoot running community.
2. Running with the Kenyans: discovering the secrets of the fastest people on earth
Author: Adharanand Finn
After years of watching Kenyan athletes win the world’s biggest long-distance races, Adharanand Finn packed his bags and set out on a journey to Kenya to start investigating. On an exciting and informative adventure, Finn discovers the many secrets behind the fastest people on the earth, improving his running along the way in this thrilling journey.
3. Running up that hill
Author: Vassos Alexander
In a celebration of endurance running, Vassos Alexander recalls his own assaults of running through cities, across mountains, through countries, and even an ultra-run in Paris, backwards, despite missing the start. In this enthusiastic story, you’re sure to learn what keeps ultra-runners ticking mile after mile, or in this case day after day, week after week.
Related: New to trail running? Here’s 7 things you should know.
4. Running like a girl
Author: Alexandra Heminsley
In this very funny, honest, and emotional book, Alexandra Heminsley tells her story of beginning her running journey. With her first attempt not ending so well, six years later she has completed five marathons in two continents and ran thousands of miles. While it’s certainly about running, you’re also in for some eager ambition (such as getting out of bed in the morning), relationships, your body, and most importantly realising you can do a lot more than you originally thought possible!
5. Running home: A memoir
Author: Katie Arnold
Named one of the best books of the year in 2019, being in the darkest place she’s ever experienced, Katie Arnold turned to the one thing that made her feel most alive: running. Ultimately, running home is a memoir about the stories we tell ourselves to make sense of the world, including those that hold us back and those that set us free. A book for anyone who has been knocked down in life, this memoir will open your eyes to something much bigger than just running.
6. Run the mile you’re in
Author: Ryan Hall
Ryan Hall, a two-time Olympian and American world record holder in the half-marathon reflects on his successful twenty-year running career. Now a coach, parent, public speaker, and all-round running fanatic, Hall shares his lessons learned on his road to achieving success.
View on AmazonLooking for a great running book? Here’s twenty-one of the best available in 2021!CLICK TO TWEET
7. The art of running faster
Author: Julian Goater & Don Melvin
The art of running faster provides a new approach to running, this running book is for those chasing goals, running faster (duh), and setting a personal best. Whether you’ve just started running yesterday or have been running for twenty years, this guide will change how you run and improve your results.
8. 401: The man who ran 401 marathons in 401 days and changed his life forever
Author: Ben Smith
In this running book, Ben Smith tells the story of what was a lost and broken man to now inspiring runners and non-runners alike all-over the world. Bullied as a child and unhappy with his life, Smith turned to running. Selling his possessions, escaping his old life and embarking on what seemed this impossible journey, Smith tells the touching story of running 401 marathons in 401 days.
9. Daniel’s running formula
Author: Jack Daniels
In one of the best training books for runners, legendary running coach, Jack Daniels, provides you with his VDOT formula to tailor your training appropriately, guaranteed to help you see results. With programs to get you in the best shape of your life, this completely updated version of the classic running book is a must-have bible for runners of all ages.
10. The rise of the ultra-runners: A journey to the end of human endurance
Author: Adharanand Finn
From the author of Running with the Kenyans, Adharanand Finn once again sets out on a running-related adventure. This time, Finn travels to the heart of the sport of ultra-running, travelling through the desert in Oman to the Rockies, Finn is in search of his ultimate goal, the 105-mile ultra-trail du Mont-Blanc.
Finn has written the definitive book on ultra-running today. I couldn’t put it down. – Dean Karnazes
11. 26 Marathons: what I learned about faith, identity, running, and life from my marathon career
Author: Meb Keflezighi
The first person ever to win both the Boston and New York City Marathon, Meb Keflezighi offers the wisdom of Keflezighi has gained over his career. Touching on more than just running, Keflezighi takes you on the legendary journey through every race, turn, and hill to where he is today, making for a fascinating story.
An athlete whose wisdom and lessons aren’t just for runners.—The Washington Post
12. Run Fast. Cook Fast. Eat Slow.
Author: Shalane Flanagan & Elyse Kopecky
Olympian Shalane Flanagan and chef Elyse Kopecky team-up to create New York Times best-selling cookbook designed specifically for runners. Full of healthy yet extremely tasty recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and even that post-run snack, you’ll have all the energy you need and more for running!
13. Running life: mindset, fitness, and nutrition for positive well-being
Author: Dame Kelly Holmes
Keep your body strong and your mind in top-shape with Dame Kelly Holmes’s inspirational and extremely practical guide on mindset, fitness, and nutrition. In this hot topic running book, Holmes’ draws on her own experiences of depression and injury, how she overcomes these to achieve her Olympic dream, and how you too can change your mindset, improve your diet and fitness and take your running to the next level.
14. Good to go what the athlete in all of us can learn from the strange science of recovery
Author: Christie Aschwanden
Christie Aschwanden, acclaimed science journalist takes readers on the journey of the most recent scientific developments for sports and fitness recovery. From sports drinks to chocolate milk, Aschwanden uncovers what we really should be doing to ensure optimal recovery from running.
15. The plant-based runner: A personal guide to running, healthy eating, and discovering a new you
Author: Jonathan Cairns
A few years ago Johnathon Cairns was 46, un-fit, and going through a painful separation. Not knowing what to do, Cairns decided to start running. This epic running book tells the painfully real story of Cairns, from the struggle to see his children to his decision to start running and the inspiring impact this had, Cairns takes us on the journey of a lifetime, of course, with a few laughs along the way.
16. North: finding my way while running the Appalachian trail
Author: Scott Jurek
Scott Jurek, legendary ultra-runner takes us on the journey on the toughest adventure he’s ever experienced – breaking the speed record for the Appalachian Trail, the 2,200-mile-long path between Georgia and Maine. This epic adventure of Jurek’s offers his insights into running, his toughest adventure yet, and the inspiringly beautiful description of his adventure – a must-have for any ultra-runners out there.
17. There is no map in hell: the record-breaking run across the lake district fells
Author: Steve Birkinshaw
1986 saw legendary fell runner Joss Naylor to complete a continuous circuit of the wainwright fells, in the lake district, covering a total of 300 miles and thousands of metres of ascent – all in seven days and one hour. Now, Steve Birkinshaw makes his attempt at setting a new record. This inspiring book follows Birkinshaw’s preparation, training, and experience at his attempt to break the continuous circuit record that was once set by the legend himself – Joss Naylor.
18. Running with Sherman: the donkey who survived against all odds and raced like a champion
Author: Christopher McDougall
Author of born to run, Christopher McDougall takes in a neglected donkey intending to get it back to good health. With the donkey not being the most co-operative companion, McDougall discovers a donkey needs a purpose. Learning the sport of Burro racing, else known as running with donkeys, McDougall gives Sherman a purpose and sets out on this remarkable journey.
19. Epic runs of the world
Author: Lonely Planet
In this perfect running companion, you’ll find fifty of the world’s greatest running routes. Whether you’re planning your next marathon, a trip, or just want to see pictures of some of the most stunning running routes, epic runs of the world promises to deliver. Examples of running routes include the Lewa safari marathon in Kenya, the great wall of China marathon, and the Athens’s marathon in Greece.
20. Don’t stop me now: 26.2 tales of a runner’s obsession
Author: Vassos Alexander
Vassos Alexander, author of running up that hill brings us this celebration of running! Alexander shares insights on his highs and lows when falling in love with running, as well as dedicated chapters offering insight from popular names such as Steve Cram and Paula Radcliffe. A perfect read for anyone who runs wants to run, or simply just after an honest and funny laugh!
21. Depression hates a moving target: how running with my dog brought me back from the brink
Author: Nita Sweeney
Nita Sweeney was almost fifty, depressed, manic, and unable to run for 60-seconds at a time. However, using exercise and running alongside her trusted four-legged companion Sweeney embarked on a journey of self-discovery, happiness, and even the completion of her first marathon. A very real and relatable story, this running book is a must-have for those tough times, a reminder that it’s not cloudy forever and that the end is much brighter and happier.
22. Finding Ultra: rejecting middle age, becoming one of the world’s fittest men, and discovering myself
Author: Rich Roll
Finding Ultra is the true story of one of the most unbelievable midlife physical and mental transformations. Once an ambitious and competitive swimmer at Stanford, alcohol and drugs soon got the better of Rich.
Years after fighting rehab, Rich found himself fifty pounds overweight and unable to climb the stairs without stopping. Deciding it was time to make a change, Rich indulged in a juice cleanse, the first step in what was to be the plant power way from there on out. Since that day, and countless ups and downs, Rich has become one of the world’s fittest men, a plant-based lifestyle advocate, health and well-being podcast host, and has conquered unimaginable sporting feats.
To read our full review on Finding Ultra by Rich Roll, click here.
23. Eat & Run by Scott Jurek
Author: Scott Jurek
Eat & Run is an insight into the ultra-running mind and world of Scott Jurek, one of the greatest ultra-runners to walk (or shall we say, run) the earth. In Eat & Run, Scott discusses his difficult childhood, trials of friendship, how he got started running, and numerous race re-caps, discussing both this highest and lowest moment of the sport.
For a book that is seemingly about running (and the odd bit of cooking and vegan recipes), in Eat & Run, Scott does a fantastic job of opening up about various non-running challenges and obstacles, some of which are no doubt relatable to the reader.
To read our full review on Eat & Run by Scott Jurek, click here.
24. Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the creator of Nike
Author: Phil Knight
Shoe Dog is the story of Phil Knight and how he created the global sporting giant, Nike. Although this autobiography is not exclusively about running, it’s an excellent read and one all runners should add to their list. This memoir has it all, touching on humble beginnings, Knight’s own running career, and even the famous waffle shoe design invented by famous track coach and co-founder of Nike, Bill Bowerman.
This humbling and transparent story is one we recommend to all readers and runners alike, a must-read book of this generation and many more to follow.
To read our full review on Shoe Dog by Phil Knight, click here.
The bottom line
With so much choice available, we’ve selected twenty-three of our favourites definitely worth a read! Whether you’re a runner yourself, looking to start running, or after a light read, these twenty-one running books are a perfect place to start.
You can also listen to the audiobook version of all of these books on audible. Signing up to their free thirty-day trial grants you access to a choice of the world’s largest selection of books and any free book of your choice to listen to – including all the books listed in this blog post.
If you’d like to claim your free book, please click here.
Related: Best audiobooks for running: a choice of 20.
Depression Hates a Moving Target
How Running With My Dog Brought Me Back From the Brink (Running Depression and Anxiety Therapy, Bipolar)
It’s never too late to chase your dreams. Before she discovered running, Nita Sweeney was 49-years-old, chronically depressed, occasionally manic, and unable to jog for more than 60 seconds at a time. Using exercise, Nita discovered an inner strength she didn’t know she possessed, and with the help of her canine companion, she found herself on the way to completing her first marathon. In her memoir, Sweeney shares how she overcame emotional and physical challenges to finish the race and come back from the brink.