Marathon and cross-country running Books

Book SynopsisPut on your running shoes - it's time to hit the road, the trails and the great outdoors. In this comprehensive runner's companion, you'll find 50 of the world's greatest running routes - from short city runs and must-do marathons to cross-country trails and challenging ultras - plus a further 150 courses around the globe to satisfy runners of all abilities. Each run is accompanied by stunning photos and a map and toolkit of practical details - where to start and finish, how to get there, where to stay and more - to help you plan the perfect trip. Suggestions for similar runs around the world are also included. Organised by continent, Lonely Planet's Epic Runs of the World takes runners past giraffes, zebras and rhinos in Africa, along courses the length of Vancouver's Stanley Park Seawall in the Americas, offers spectacular views of Hong Kong from Victoria Peak in Asia and jogs along Rome's Tiber River in Europe, while inviting athletes to push themselves to the limit in Oceania's Blue Mountains Ultra. Runs in Africa include: The Lewa Safari Marathon (Kenya) Marathon Des Sables (Morocco) The Great Ethiopian Run The Comrades Ultramarathon (South Africa) Run in the Americas include: The Big Sur Marathon (USA) Havana's El Malecon (Cuba) Rio at Dawn (Brazil) An Illuminating Ascent in La Paz (Bolivia) Runs in Asia include: The Great Wall Marathon (China) Angkor Wat Half Marathon (Cambodia) A Temple Ascent in Pokhara (Nepal) Kyoto's Riverside (Japan) Runs in Europe include: Amalfi Coast's Path of the Gods (Italy) A Classic Fell Run in the Lakes (England) The Athens Marathon (Greece) Dublin's Wild Side (Ireland) Runs in Oceania include: Great Ocean Road Marathon (Australia) The Kepler Track (New Zealand) Freycinet Peninsula (Tasmania) A Ghost Run in Waihi Gorge (New Zealand) About Lonely Planet: Lonely Planet is a leading travel media company and the world's number one travel guidebook brand, providing both inspiring and trustworthy information for every kind of traveller since 1973. Over the past four decades, we've printed over 145 million guidebooks and grown a dedicated, passionate global community of travellers. You'll also find our content online, on mobile, video and in 14 languages, 12 international magazines, armchair and lifestyle books, ebooks, and more.

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Book SynopsisChris Napier is Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, with a PhD in running biomechanics and injury prevention. Chris is a practising physiotherapist with Restore Physiotherapy clinic and works with the Athletics Canada team.

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Book SynopsisAt the heart of Born to Run lies a mysterious tribe of Mexican Indians, the Tarahumara, who live quietly in canyons and are reputed to be the best distance runners in the world; in 1993, one of them, aged 57, came first in a prestigious 100-mile race wearing a toga and sandals. A small group of the world's top ultra-runners (and the awe-inspiring author) make the treacherous journey into the canyons to try to learn the tribe's secrets and then take them on over a course 50 miles long. With incredible energy and smart observation, McDougall tells this story while asking what the secrets are to being an incredible runner. Travelling to labs at Harvard, Nike, and elsewhere, he comes across an incredible cast of characters, including the woman who recently broke the world record for 100 miles and for her encore ran a 2:50 marathon in a bikini, pausing to down a beer at the 20 mile mark.Trade ReviewAmazing, really incredibly inspiring book -- Joe WicksQuite simply the best book you'll ever read about running - it's brilliant, and brilliantly life-affirming. -- Lloyd Bradley, author of The Rough Guide to RunningA classic ... in ultrarunners McDougall uncovers a tribe worthy of the pioneering drifters that fired the American spirit, and in McDougall ultrarunners have found their own Kerouac or Krakauer. -- Tim Butcher, author of Blood RiverReaches the state of bliss that runners very occasionally experience in the midst of an endless run. -- Simon Kuper * FT *Fascinating stuff, particularly for anyone who's ever been frustrated by the apparently shoddy mechanics of their own running body. -- Victoria Moore * Daily Mail *A sensation ... a rollicking tale well told -- Rick Broadbent * The Times *Part how-to manual, part scientific treatise but throughout a ripping yarn, this book will inspire everyone who reads it to think on their feet. -- Simon Redfern * Independent on Sunday *If you're a runner, you probably won't reach the end of the first chapter without bolting for the door to get some miles behind you. * Leeds Guide *[A] major voice of a new movement. -- Bernard Goldberg * HBO *Good books about running are rare - Haruki Murakami's What I Talk About When I Talk About Running is a meditative jog compared to this blistering endurance tester - but this ranks among the strongest. -- Julian Fleming * Sunday Business Post *Utterly unputdownable ... a fascinating peek into the lives of the publicity-shy Tarahumara and the collection of misfits who populate the world of ultra-running ... the final race in Mexico's Copper Canyon will have you turning pages faster than Usain Bolt can run for a bus. -- Natasha Young * Wanderlust *If you're a runner, you'll love it. It's about how far we can go spiritually and physically. -- Kate Hudson, Actress * Elle *Inspiring stuff -- Amy Lawrenson * Elle *I read Born to Run last year and it affected me profoundly. I thought, "F*** it. I'm gonna run a marathon." -- Flea (of Red Hot Chili Peppers) * Runner's World *Loved this book ... completely wonderful. It will inspire you whether you're already a runner or not. -- Lauren Laverne * Twitter *

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Book SynopsisDovetailing on the success of Training for the New Alpinism and Patagonia’s own emphasis on all mountain use, Training for the Uphill Athlete translates theory into methodology to allow you to write your own training plans and coach yourself to endurance goals. Steve House, one of the best mountaineers, and his coach Scott Johnston, an Olympic-level cross country ski coach, along with Kilian Jornet, hands-down best endurance athlete at this time, present training principles for the multisport mountain athlete who regularly participates in a mix of distance running, ski mountaineering, and other endurance sports that require optimum fitness and customized strength. This is an authoritative but accessible training manual for athletes and coaches who feel most alive in the mountains or pushing the uphill ascent. Distance running, ski mountaineering, skimo, and skyrunning are becoming increasingly popular all over the world, and are often undertaken by the same person during a single year. This book collects the scientifically backed and athlete-tested wisdom and experience of three of the best uphill athletes and coaches and extrapolates both to educate outdoor athletes of all stripes to perform their best. The book includes the same mix of theory, application, and experiential essays from experts in the field, as well as instructional illustrations as in Training for the New Alpinism. Contributions by Kilian Jornet increase the worldwide appeal of the book.Trade ReviewThis book provides a rigorous, scientific, and individualized approach to training and coaching for competitive mountain sport endurance athletes and coaches, as well as for beginners. -- Foreword ReviewsSteve House is one of the World’s best mountaineers, and his coach Scott Johnston is an Olympic-level, cross country ski coach. Along with Kilian, they have written a must-read book for anyone serious about the uphill – Training for the uphill athlete. --StillStoked.com"Read this book if: you struggle with your own endurance goals but know you are capable of far greater output. Buy this book for friends who: have a penchant for type II or type III fun. Live for the uphill slog and have big lofty dreams of mammoth ascents." --StillStoked.com"For mountain-endurance athletes who want to get serious about their training, this is the book. It distills three lifetimes’ worth of knowledge and experience between Kilian, Johnston, and House and makes it accessible to everyone." "While diving into processes like glycolysis and the Krebs cycle might give you flashbacks to high school biology, the book is surprisingly easy to understand, and it’s interspersed with beautiful imagery, athlete stories from the likes of Mike Foote, Emelie Forsberg, Clare Gallagher, Rickey Gates, and Dakota Jones, and “Notes From Kilian,” which keep the pace moving as well as provide interesting tips and anecdotes." --OutsideCovering how to write individualized training plans and achieve endurance goals, athletes who feel the most at home in the mountains—whether it’s skiing, running, climbing, or all three—will find the book an authoritative guide on getting the most of their high-altitude time. --www.5280.com"...Training for the Uphill Athlete is destined to become the definitive reference for endurance workouts . . . Uphill Athlete is the bible." --Men's Health magazineTable of ContentsForeword: TK Chapter 1: How to Use This Book Section 1 The Physiological Basis of Endurance Training Chapter 2: The Physiology of Endurance Section 2 The Methodology of Endurance Training Chapter 3: The Principles of Endurance Training Chapter 4: Important Concepts, Terms and Principles Chapter 5: Monitoring Your Training Chapter 6: The Application Process: Where Theory Meets Reality Section 3 Strength Training for The Uphill Athlete Chapter 7: Strength Training for the Uphill Athlete Chapter 8: Core Strength Chapter 9: Strength Training Section 4 How to Train Chapter 10: Programming Chapter 11: Transition Period Training Chapter 12: Base Period Introduction (for both running and skiing) Section 5: Planning Your Training Chapter 13: Training Planning for SkiMo Team and Individual Races Chapter 14: Base Training for Mountain Runners

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Book Synopsis'Finn has written the definitive book on ultra running today. I couldn't put it down.' - Dean Karnazes***Marathons are no longer enough. Pain is to be relished, not avoided. Hallucinations are normal.Ultra running defies conventional logic. Yet this most brutal and challenging sport is now one of the fastest-growing in the world. Why is this? Is it an antidote to modern life, or a symptom of a modern illness?Adharanand Finn travelled to the heart of the sport to find out - and to see if he could become an ultra runner himself. His journey took him from the deserts of Oman to the snow-capped peaks of the Rockies, and on to his ultimate goal, the 105-mile Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc.The Rise of the Ultra Runners is the electrifying, inspirational account of what he learned along the way. Through encounters with the sport's many colourful characters and his experiences of its soaring highs and crushing lows, Finn offers an unforgettable insight into what can be found at the boundaries of human endeavour.

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Book SynopsisThe white dome of Mont Blanc looms over France, Italy and Switzerland, and it is no wonder that the 169-kilometre Tour du Mont Blanc (TMB) has captured the public imagination to become one of Europe’s most popular long-distance trails. The TMB appeals to people who have different levels of experience and travel at all speeds, and this Vertebrate Publishing Guidemap is unique in that it caters for four categories of user, providing custom itineraries for walkers, trekkers, fastpackers and trail runners. This lightweight, waterproof, durable and easy-to-use folding map features all the essential information for a successful TMB, including 1:40,000-scale mapping for the anticlockwise route starting and finishing in the town of Les Houches, south of Chamonix. It also includes nine route variations, a detailed elevation profile and route planner, safety advice, terrain information and an accommodation directory, and a link to a GPX file download.

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Book SynopsisUltramarathon Man is the story of where it all began for Dean Karnazes: the mind-boggling adventures of his nonstop treks through the shoe-melting inferno of Death Valley, the lung-freezing ferocity of the South Pole, and the awe-inspiring beauty of the towering peaks and craggy canyons of the Sierra Nevada.With an insight and candour rarely seen in sports memoirs, he uncovers how he merges the solitary, manic, self-absorbed life of hard-core ultrarunning with a full-time job, a wife and two children, and how running has made him who he is today: a man with an ironclad body, a teenager's energy and a champion's wisdom.In this updated and revised edition of the sportswriting classic, Karnazes has added an afterword full of lessons learned. He gives personal details on the essential pillars of health - fitness, diet and sleep. What does he eat, what supplements does he take, what kind of mattress does he sleep on? Ageing well takes work and the man who hasn't stopped for three decades is now sharing the tips and learnings that have helped him keep going, mile after gruelling mile.Trade Review[Karnazes'] spirited memoir...can help mere mortals who want to push past their perceived limits or simply jump-start their sedentary lives. * Chicago Tribune *Heart-stopping stuff * The Economist *Full of euphoric highs...a journey into distance running that is much less about sweat than about the emotional terrain that unfolds at the frontier of endurance. * New York Times *An exhibition of unadulterated courage and mental and physical stamina [for] anyone who likes to read about ordinary people doing extraordinary things. * Boston Globe *Table of Contents1: The Long Road to Santa Cruz 2: The Formative Years 3: Run with Your Heart 4: Run for Your Life 5: Soiling of the Lexus 6: Leaving Normal 7: Over the Mountains and Through the Woods 8: King of Pain 9: Into Darkness 10: Forever Changed 11: Badwater 12: Frozen Stiff 13: The Ultra-Endurance World 14: The Relay 15: Crossing Over 16: Team Dean 17: Run for the Future 18: The Gift of Life

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Book Synopsis

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Book SynopsisDean Karnazes has pushed his body and mind to inconceivable limits, from running in the shoe-melting heat of Death Valley to the lung-freezing cold of the South Pole. He's raced and competed across the globe and once ran 50 marathons, in 50 states, in 50 consecutive days.In A Runner's High, Karnazes chronicles his return to the Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run in his mid-fifties after first completing the race decades ago. The Western States, infamous for its rugged terrain and extreme temperatures, becomes the most demanding competition of his life, a physical and emotional reckoning and a battle to stay true to one's purpose. Confronting his age, wearying body, career path and life choices, we see Karnazes as we never have before, raw and exposed. A Runner's High is both an endorphin-fuelled page-turner and a love letter to the sport from one of its most celebrated ambassadors.Trade ReviewA book that will inspire athletes of all stripes, whatever their aches and pains, to hit the ground running. * Kirkus Reviews *Runners are sure to be captivated by this account of an unconventional endurance athlete who tenaciously challenges physical and mental boundaries. * Booklist *Fans of extreme sports will consider this a must-read and appreciate the pithy motivational bits peppered throughout ... But the winning tone and message will lend this broader appeal to inspiration-seeking readers and those who appreciate accounts of the gruelling end of human endeavour. * Publishers Weekly *Dean Karnazes' writing wakes up the appetite to run long distances. In this book, Dean takes us on a lifelong journey of ultramarathons, through the ups and downs, the friendships and lonely moments, and the struggles and rewards of each race. Dean writes in a direct and intimate way that keeps us reading like he runs - without stopping. -- Kilian Jornet, world champion ultramarathonerThose of us who devoured Ultramarathon Man are in for a treat. In A Runner's High, Dean reveals his heart and bares his soul. Returning to the legendary Western States, he openly and candidly shares the highs and lows of his life and career choices as an ever-enduring long distance runner. You will see Dean as never before, and you will be captivated and drawn into this adventure right alongside him. -- Kara Goucher, two-time Olympian & silver medalist at the 2007 World ChampionshipsFull of euphoric highs...a journey into distance running that is much less about sweat than about the emotional terrain that unfolds at the frontier of endurance. * New York Times on ULTRAMARATHON MAN *[Karnazes'] spirited memoir...can help mere mortals who want to push past their perceived limits or simply jump-start their sedentary lives. * Chicago Tribune on ULTRAMARATHON MAN *An exhibition of unadulterated courage and mental and physical stamina [for] anyone who likes to read about ordinary people doing extraordinary things. * Boston Globe on ULTRAMARATHON MAN *Heart-stopping stuff. * The Economist on ULTRAMARATHON MAN *Dean Karnazes' latest book, A Runner's High, is an unfiltered look inside the world of endurance sports from the original Ultramarathon Man. Dean has lived many lifetimes during his storied career and he takes us on that journey with all the detail, honesty and introspection of a man that's lived in those shoes. The narrative is snappy and humorous and we get a behind the curtain look at what it takes to live a life of adventure and all that comes with it: the good, bad and ugly but also the beautiful and sublime when everything magically comes together and you achieve something truly mind-blowing. -- Michael Wardian, Guinness World Record Holder & 7 marathons in 7 days on 7 continents winnerThis metaphor- and imagery-filled romp through the ultramarathon of life is a must read...We need more books like this about running - the ones not simply about training and winning, but the ones that explore running as a way to get to our most human selves, and running for running's sake. -- Mirna Valerio, runner, speaker, authorDean's accomplishments, his stories, his tenacity, his advice and his wisdom shine through in A Runner's High and will inspire the reader to believe that anything is possible if you believe in yourself, have the courage and run with your heart. -- Dave McGillivray, Race Director Boston Marathon, Ironman and Trans-America runnerI loved the vulnerability Dean exposes in his journey to show the reader that despite all the superhuman feats, he is human like the rest of us. His words have the ability to leave us wondering, what am I capable of? If you love stories about the power of the human spirit, this book is a classic. -- Tina Muir, Running For Real Founder and Professional RunnerA Runner's High is a powerful narrative on life, running and finding meaning through perseverance. Every runner should read this book -- Jason Koop, bestselling author of TRAINING ESSENTIALS FOR ULTRARUNNINGDean Karnazes' writing is as inspiring as his amazing running accomplishments...After reading A Runner's High, I had to go out and run! -- Jeff Galloway, US Olympian & creator of the Galloway MethodTable of Contents1: Endurance Never Sleeps 2: Growing Pains 3: Why We Run 4: Follow the Path 5: Can't Stop; Won't Stop 6: The Aftermath 7: The Silk Road Ultra 8: The Long Run 9: Chasing Windmills 10: Friendship and Fatherhood 11: Lost in a White House 12: Just Did It 13: The Cavs and the Cavs-Nots 14: To Cut Is to Heal 15: Back to the Start 16: Let's Get This Party Started 17: Loose Lug Nuts 18: The Silly and the Sublime 19: The Meltdown 20: Head Fake 21: Embrace the Suck 22: London Calling 23: The Light

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Book Synopsis''Run until you can''t run anymore. Then run some more. Find a new source of energy and will. Then run even faster.'' The words of Scott Jurek, a dominant force - and darling - in the gruelling and growing sport of ultrarunning for more than a decade. In 1999, as a complete unknown, he took the lead in the Western States Endurance Run, a 100-mile jaunt over the Gold Rush trails of America''s Sierra Nevada. He went on to win that race seven years in a row. Jurek was also one of the elite runners who travelled to Mexico to run with the Tarahumara Indians, as profiled in the international bestseller Born to Run. His accomplishments are nothing short of extraordinary. In Eat and Run, Jurek opens up about his life and career as an elite athlete, and about the vegan diet that is key to his success. From his Midwestern childhood of hunting and fishing to his slow transition to ultrarunning and veganism, to his epic, record-breaking races, Jurek''s story shows the power of an irTrade ReviewA triumph ... a breathtakingly personal account ... A man - and a story - unlike any other * Christopher McDougall, bestselling author of Born to Run *Pulverising the outer limits of human endurance, the ultramarathon legend discusses his training secrets and the value of thinking of food as fuel * Men's Health *a brilliant book * Women's Running *

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Book SynopsisOver fifty years ago, renowned British hillwalker and guidebook author Alfred Wainwright described 214 peaks in the English Lake District in his seven-volume illustrated Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells. Like the Munros in Scotland, bagging all the Wainwrights has become a popular and significant challenge for walkers and runners, often taking many years in fits and starts because of the absence of a clear plan for how to link them together. With this problem in mind, Peak Bagging: Wainwrights by Karen and Dan Parker features forty-five routes designed to link up these iconic fells so you can enjoy the challenge of completing them at your own pace – over years, months or even just a few weeks. It presents not only the most efficient routes for completing the Wainwrights as quickly as possible, but does so in such a way that each route is a fantastic walk or run in its own right. The featured routes include a round of the Scafells, and the Glenridding Horseshoe, taking in Helvellyn and Catstycam. The routes are split into seven sections, reflecting Wainwright’s seven Pictorial Guides, and to simplify logistics, all of the featured routes are circular with an emphasis on making practical links between the summits. In addition, the book is packed with useful information, including 1:40,000-scale maps, elevation profiles, public transport and parking details, refreshments, downloadable GPX files for each route and custom timings for walkers, trekkers, fastpackers and runners. Also included are overview details of Steve Birkinshaw’s then-record-breaking sub-seven-day Wainwrights run in 2014 – current record holder Sabrina Verjee completed the round in under six days. Whatever your timescale for completing the 214 Wainwrights, Peak Bagging: Wainwrights is the indispensable guide to this British hill challenge.Table of ContentsIntroduction by Steve BirkinshawAbout the book SafetyEastern Fells01 Fairfield Horseshoe 19.1km02 Glenridding Horseshoe 16.4km03 Deepdale Horseshoe 16.5km04 The Dodds 18.1km05 The Dunmail Loop 12.5km06 A Tour of Matterdale 16.1kmFar Eastern Fells07 Hayeswater Circuit 18.7km08 Troutbeck 19.4km09 Fusedale Circuit 15.0km10 Kirkstone North 15.4km11 Mardale Skyline 16.9km12 Longsleddale 12.6km13 Angle Tarn & Boredale 17.7kmCentral Fells14 The Langdale Pikes 11.6km15 Above Thirlmere 21.4km16 Grasmere Common 17.2km17 Stonethwaite Fells 17.9kmSouthern Fells18 The Coniston Fells 17.8km19 Langdale West 17.5km20 The Scafells 13.1km21 Langdale South 13.8km22 Borrowdale Fells 16.3km23 Hardknott Round 17.6km24 Encircling Elter Water 20.0km25 Tilberthwaite Round 13.6km26 Above & Below Wasdale Screes 17.1kmNorthern Fells27 Uldale Fells & Binsey 19.5km28 Blencathra Fells 17.2km29 Underskiddaw 18.0km30 Northern Skiddaw Horseshoe 13.3km31 Caldbeck Fells & Calva 20.9kmNorth-Western Fells32 Wythop Wanderings 19.9km33 Grasmoor & More 15.7km 34 Dale Head Horseshoe 15.4km 35 Coledale Horseshoe 14.5km 36 A Newlands Round 15.9kmWestern Fells37 Loweswater Loop 18.0km 38 North of Wast Water 14.6km 39 The Tops of Warnscale Bottom 11.1km 40 The Gables 11.8km 41 Kinniside Common 20.7km 42 West of Crummock Water 16.0km 43 Greendale Horseshoe 9.7km 44 The High Stile Ridge 14.1km 45 Kirk Fell & Pillar 12.7km The Wainwrights in OneAppendix

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Book SynopsisThis is the complete story of long-distance runner Lizzy Hawker’s journey from a school girl running the streets of London to a world record-breaking athlete racing on mountains. Scared witless and surrounded by a sea of people, Lizzy Hawker stands in the church square at the centre of Chamonix on a late August evening, waiting for the start of the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc. The mountains towering over the pack of runners promise a gruelling 8,600 metres of ascent and descent over 158 kilometres of challenging terrain that will test the feet, legs, heart and mind. These nervous moments before the race signal not just the beginning of nearly twenty-seven hours of effort that saw Lizzy finish as first woman, but the start of the career of one of Britain’s most successful endurance athletes. She went on to become the 100km Women’s World Champion, win the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc an unprecedented five times, hold the world record for 24 hours road running and become the first woman to stand on the overall winners’ podium at Spartathlon. An innate endurance and natural affinity with the mountains has led Lizzy to push herself to the absolute limits, including a staggering 320 kilometre run through the Himalayas, from Everest Base Camp to Kathmandu in Nepal. Lizzy’s remarkable spirit was recognised in 2013 when she was a National Geographic Adventurer of the Year. These ultimate challenges ask not just what the feet and legs can do, but question the inner thoughts and contemplations of a runner. Lizzy’s astonishing story uncovers the physical, mental and emotional challenges that runners go through at the edge of human endurance – inspiring us to get out of the chair and go running in the mountains. Trade Review‘Need inspiration? This book tells ultra-athlete Lizzy Hawker’s story. From winning the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc to becoming the 100K Women’s World Champion, Lizzy’s story is truly moving.’‘A book that will make you think and, of course, want to go running in the mountains.’ ‘Runner is beautifully written and as packed with pure inspiration (and possibility) as any book ever written on the subject, destined to become a classic of the genre.’ ‘Runner is beautifully written and as packed with pure inspiration (and possibility) as any book ever written on the subject, destined to become a classic of the genre.’'Britain’s most distinctive female ‘ultra runner’, coming first in the UTMB five times, taking gold in the Women’s 100km World Championships in Korea in 2006, setting a new women’s world record for 24 hours on the road in the 2011 Commonwealth Championships and a new course record at the sunbaked 246 km Spartathlon in 2012.But Hawker’s inspirational memoir does not focus on the figures. She’s more interested in why she is able to push herself beyond normal limits, and how running makes her feel. Her book is strong on Buddhist philosophy and the peace that comes with living fully in the now.''She's held the world record for distance covered in 24 hours and is a five-time winner of the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc. Runner follows her through that 100 mile race, breaking off to explore what driver her, and the physical, mental and emotional challenge of pushing the limits.'‘The astonishing Lizzy Hawker’s story provides a much-needed female slant on the sport. Where this could have been an insufferable list of extremes endured, Hawker’s generosity of spirit and faith in what running can do for one’s soul makes it a rather moving tribute to what all of us might be capable of.’'About what it means to be a runner, facing the highs and the lows, being full of doubt, but also determined. This book will inspire and enthuse you to move outside of your comfort zone and live life.'‘A book that will make you think and, of course, want to go running in the mountains.’‘Need inspiration? This book tells ultra-athlete Lizzy Hawker’s story. From winning the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc to becoming the 100K Women’s World Champion, Lizzy’s story is truly moving.’

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Book SynopsisLONGLISTED FOR THE WILLIAM HILL SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARDSHORTLISTED FOR THE CROSS SPORTS BOOK AWARDS BIOGRAPHY OF THE YEAR The definitive biography of one of the greatest, most extraordinary runners and Olympic heroes of all time, from the author of running classic Feet in the Clouds. Emil Zátopek won five Olympic medals, set 18 world records, and went undefeated over 10,000 metres for six years. He redefined the boundaries of endurance, training in Army boots, in snow, in sand, in darkness. But his toughness was matched by a spirit of friendship and a joie de vivre that transcended the darkest days of the Cold War. His triumphs put his country on the map, yet when Soviet tanks moved in to crush Czechoslovakia's new freedoms in 1968, Zátopek paid a heavy personal price for his brave defence of socialism with a human face'. Rehabilitated two decades later, he was a shadow of the man he had been and the world hadTrade ReviewA tale from athletics' age of innocence... He was a sporting hero not just for his time but for all time * Spectator *A wonderfully in-depth and often emotionally charged piece of writing * Athletics Weekly *An astonishing achievement... There are few writers as adept at capturing so lyrically the utter and incomprehensible strangeness of distance running... A joy to read * Literary Review *Sport book of the year… A fascinating tale, showing all sides of Zátopek, injecting humanity and humour into a dramatic life -- Matt Butler * i, Book of the Year *Reminds us of the pain and the glory behind every victory and the power of sport to bring people together and make history -- Martina NavratilovaA warm, honest and moving account of one of the greatest sportsmen of all time. Richard Askwith brings to life both the epic triumphs but also the difficulties and complexities of Zatopek's role in Communist Czechoslovakia -- Adharanand Finn, author of Running with the KenyansA portrait of a fine but flawed human. -- Nick Pitt * Sunday Times, Book of the Year *A tremendous read and also a reminder of the lost purity of track and field -- Eileen Battersby * The Irish Times *Terrific -- Huw Richards * Guardian *

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Book SynopsisWelcome to Japan, the most running-obsessed nation on earth, where: a long-distance relay race is the country''s biggest annual sporting event; companies sponsor their own running teams, paying the athletes like employees; and marathon monks run a thousand marathons in a thousand days to reach spiritual enlightenment.Adharanand Finn - award-winning author of Running with the Kenyans - moved to Japan to discover more about this unique running culture and what it might teach us about the sport and about Japan. As an amateur runner about to turn forty, he also hoped find out whether the Japanese approach to training might help him keep improving. What he learned - about competition, about team work, about beating your personal bests, about form and about himself - will fascinate anyone who is keen to explore why we run, and how we might do it better.

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Book SynopsisIn It for the Long Run is ultrarunner Damian Hall’s story of running a first marathon aged thirty-six, dressed as a toilet, and representing Great Britain four years later. His midlife-crisis running problem escalated to 100-mile ultramarathons and record-breaking bimbles, culminating in his 261-mile Pennine Way run in July 2020.In 1989, Mike Hartley set a record/Fastest Known Time (FKT) for the Pennine Way, running Britain’s oldest National Trail in two days and seventeen hours, without stopping for sleep. Hartley’s record stood for thirty-one years, until two attempts were made on it in two weeks in the summer of 2020. First, American John Kelly broke Hartley’s record by thirty-four minutes. Then Hall knocked another three hours off Kelly’s time.Hall used his record-bothering run to highlight concerns for our climate and ecological emergency: his attempt was carbon negative, he created no plastic waste, and he and his pacing runners collected litter as they went, while also raising money for Greenpeace. A vegan, Hall used no animal products on his attempt. Scrawled on his arm in permanent marker was ‘F F F’, standing for Family, Friends, Future.Packed with dry wit and humour, In It for the Long Run tells of Hall’s nine-year preparation for his attempt, and of the run itself. He also gives us an autobiographical insight into the deranged, custard-splattered, hedgehog-dodging world of ultramarathon running and record attempts.

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Book SynopsisBig Trails: Heart of Europe is an indispensable guide to the most spectacular and popular long-distance trails in the Western European countries of France, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Italy.The twenty-five featured routes cover the best that European trails have to offer, sweeping from the GR21 along the Normandy Coast to the GR1 Tour de Paris and King Ludwig’s Way in Germany. Culminating in trails such as the Tour du Mont Blanc and Chamonix–Zermatt Haute Route, the jewels of the Alps, this delves deep into Western Europe’s most iconic routes.The book will inspire big adventures. Rather than being carried along the route, this guide provides everything you need to plan and explore further, including a general overview of the trails, specific technical information, overview mapping, key information and stunning photography. As well as this, each route specifies approximate timings devised using the Jones–Ross formula, which allows for custom itineraries to be generated depending upon the speed of the user. Whether you’re walking, trekking, fastpacking or running, let Big Trails: Heart of Europe be your guide.Table of ContentsIntroductionAcknowledgementsWhat is a Big Trail?About the routesHow to use this bookWalk, trek, fastpack, runPlanning for a Big TrailTHE TRAILS01 Adlerweg02 Alta Via 103 Altmühltal-Panoramaweg04 Brabantse Heuvelroute05 Carnic Peace Trail06 Heidschnuckenweg07 Holland’s Coast Path08 King Ludwig’s Way09 Malerweg10 Meraner Höhenweg11 Mullerthal Trail12 Normandy’s Alabaster Coast13 Pfälzer Weinsteig14 Pieterpad15 Rhine Castles Trail16 Salzburger Almenweg17 Stelling van Amsterdam18 Tour de Paris19 Tour du Matterhorn20 Tour du Mont Blanc21 Tour of Monte Rosa22 Traversée du Massif des Vosges23 Walker’s Haute Route: Chamonix to Zermatt24 Walserweg25 Westweg

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Book SynopsisAlexis Berg is one of the world's premier sports journalists. Specializing in long-distance events, often in hard-to-reach locations, particularly in the mountains, Berg has captured some of the world's most challenging races and extraordinary humans. Frédéric Berg is a journalist and seasoned ultra-marathoner. He has finished two legendary trail races, the Diagonale des Fous and the Ultra-Trail du Mont Blanc. Aurélien Delfosse is a journalist for L'Équipe, one of the world's leading sports newspapers.

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Book SynopsisThe 153-kilometre West Highland Way encompasses the variety of Scotland’s wild places. The route, which begins in Milngavie and finishes in Fort William, passes from Glasgow, Scotland’s friendliest city, through lochs and forests, and across wild moors in the shadows of Munros. Offering panoramic views and clear waymarking, it is no wonder this is one of Scotland’s most popular long-distance routes. The West Highland Way appeals to people who have different levels of experience and travel at all speeds, and this Vertebrate Publishing Guidemap is unique in that it caters for four categories of user, providing custom itineraries for walkers, trekkers, fastpackers and trail runners.This lightweight, waterproof, durable and easy-to-use folding map features all the essential information for a successful West Highland Way, including 1:40,000-scale mapping for the linear route starting in Milngavie and finishing in Fort William. It also includes a detailed elevation profile and route planner, safety advice, terrain information and an accommodation directory, and a link to a GPX file download.

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Book Synopsis''A fantastic book'' Running Fitness''The Bible for runners who want to use yoga to enhance their running performance'' - Athletics Weekly''The latest way to enhance your running performance'' - Trail RunningTRANSFORM YOUR RUNNING THROUGH YOGAWould you like to run further and faster? Want to find the perfect runner''s flow? Yoga is the key to unlocking your running potential. Practised by the world''s leading endurance athletes, yoga builds strength, improves flexibility and boosts recovery. Fully revised and featuring step-by-step exercises and workouts, the bestselling Yoga for Runners shows you how to:- release running tight spots, like the hamstrings and hip flexors - run taller with focused core exercises- strengthen weak muscles through power yoga moves- prevent injury with recovery techniques - breathe more deeply and sharpen your mindTrade ReviewA fantastic book * Running Fitness *The latest way to enhance your running performance... Our fave * Trail Running *The Bible for runners who want to use yoga to enhance their running performance * Athletics Weekly *The next big thing * Health & Fitness *Table of ContentsIntroduction Running and Yoga Running Tall Relaxation in Motion Balance Training Lower Leg Stretches Upper Leg Stretches The Runner's Core Runner's Power Yoga Mental Training Breath Control Recovery Yoga Sequences

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Book SynopsisComplete an entire marathon with energy to spare. Nancy Clark shows you how in this book, offering you the best advice on topics such as balancing carbohydrates, carbohydrate loading, protein and fat in your diet, choosing the best snacks and losing weight while staying energetic. You'll learn what, when, and how to eat so you'll enjoy not only the process of training for the marathon but also participating in the marathon itself - with energy to spare!

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Book SynopsisLonglisted for the William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award 2021 Running away from your problems doesn’t solve anything – but sometimes it’s more fun than dealing with them Elise was spending a lot of time crying on buses. She had just graduated from university; she had a shiny new flat, her first proper job and a budding relationship – and they were all making her utterly miserable. Sitting at work one day, she hit upon the obvious solution: Run 5,000 miles around the coast of Britain, carrying her kit on her back. Six months later Elise set off, with absolutely no ultra-running experience, unable to read a map and having never pitched a tent alone before. Over the 301 days that followed she developed a debilitating fear of farmyard animals, cried on a lot of beaches and saw Britain at its most wild and wonderful. Coasting is about putting one foot in front of the other, even when it feels impossible, and trying to enjoy it too. With heart and humour, Elise explores the thrill of taking risks and putting your trust in total strangers, and learns some home truths along the way. 'A true Great British Adventure, with humour and heart.' Sir Ranulph Fiennes 'Elise Downing has achieved the impossible – leaving you in awe at her superhuman achievements, but also convincing you that you could probably do the same.' Emily Chappell 'A hugely enjoyable jaunt around Britain, that proves that you can find adventure right on your doorstep.' Alastair Humphreys 'Elise Downing has reminded us all of the most crucial aspects of adventure: 1) You don't have to be an expert. 2) It's all about the people. 3) However hard, tough, excruciating and doubt-driven a challenge might be, at heart it's a funny, funny story.' Dave Cornthwaite 'Reading Coasting is like listening to a friend tell a tale down the pub that you can’t quite believe. Elise’s storytelling is hilarious, warm-hearted and wonderfully down-to-earth. It’s the kind of book that makes you want to lace up your trainers and start running towards that mad idea you once had. There’s no doubt that Elise’s gung-ho attitude is her superpower. Her kryptonite? Cows.' Anna McNuff, author and adventurer 'Elise's irresistibly readable adventures are both ordinary and extraordinary at the same time. She's an inspiration.' Damian Hall, author and ultrarunner 'Funny and engaging and inspiring... an absolute gem.' Vassos Alexander, presenter, author and runner 'A beautifully observed and blisteringly truthful account of what happens when you decide to combine adventure and endurance. Absolutely brilliant.' Jake Tyler, author of A Walk from the Wild Edge 'An honest and exciting tale of how a dream became an awesome reality. Definitely worth a read!' Ben Smith, founder of The 401 Challenge 'I was already laughing at the Dedication and this continued all the way to the very last page. Elise Downing is a comedy genius and has a heart of gold!' Danny Bent, author, runner and founder of Project Awesome 'Elise tells her story with such good-humoured light-heartedness that you could be forgiven for forgetting that what she is describing is a feat of real endurance. Running 5,000 miles is a truly remarkable achievement, and the fact that Elise emerged from it with a smile on her face and a total lack of ego speaks wonders to her character. This is an incredible tale told with total humility. Running around the coast of Great Britain was a mad thing to do, but not buying this book would be madder still.' Tim Moss, author, adventurer and founder of The Next Challenge 'Like any epic journey worth sharing, Elise encountered the same doubts, setbacks and fears that leave many dreams stuck on the drawing board. One foot after the other, Elise set out to achieve the extraordinary many miles over. Coasting shares the literal highs and lows as she finds her rite of passage to the world of ultra-running, with an endearing vulnerability and hilarious flair that brings places to life. In the same way that countless strangers felt compelled to join her around the UK, Coasting carries the reader along and inspires us all to ask 'why not?' in pursuit of our own home-grown adventures.' Alex Staniforth, adventurer and author 'A wonderfully honest tale of courage, perseverance and self-discovery.' Dr Juliet McGrattan, author and runner 'Elise brings so much fun and energy, as well as raw honesty, to the world of adventure books, and her incredible journey is an inspiration to young (and old!) adventurers.' Jenny Tough, author, adventurer and editor of Tough Women Adventure Stories 'Thoughtful, funny and beautifully written. Just goes to show that there’s a ram-spinning, swashbuckling adventure right there on your doorstep.' Huw Jack Brassington, writer, presenter and adventurerTrade ReviewA beautifully observed and blisteringly truthful account of what happens when you decide to combine adventure and endurance. Absolutely brilliant.. * Jake Tyler, author of A Walk from the Wild Edge *A hugely enjoyable jaunt around Britain, that proves that you can find adventure right on your doorstep. * Alastair Humphreys *A true Great British Adventure, with humour and heart. * Sir Ranulph Fiennes *A wonderfully honest tale of courage, perseverance and self-discovery. * Dr Juliet McGrattan, author and runner *An honest and exciting tale of how a dream became an awesome reality. Definitely worth a read! * Ben Smith, founder of The 401 Challenge *Elise brings so much fun and energy, as well as raw honesty, to the world of adventure books, and her incredible journey is an inspiration to young (and old!) adventurers. * Jenny Tough, author, adventurer and editor of Tough Women Adventure Stories *Elise Downing has achieved the impossible - leaving you in awe at her superhuman achievements, but also convincing you that you could probably do the same. * Emily Chappell *Elise Downing has reminded us all of the most crucial aspects of adventure: 1) You don't have to be an expert. 2) It's all about the people. 3) However hard, tough, excruciating and doubt-driven a challenge might be, at heart it's a funny, funny story. * Dave Cornthwaite *Elise tells her story with such good-humoured light-heartedness that you could be forgiven for forgetting that what she is describing is a feat of real endurance. Running 5,000 miles is a truly remarkable achievement, and the fact that Elise emerged from it with a smile on her face and a total lack of ego speaks wonders to her character. This is an incredible tale told with total humility. Running around the coast of Great Britain was a mad thing to do, but not buying this book would be madder still. * Tim Moss, author, adventurer and founder of The Next Challenge *Elise's irresistibly readable adventures are both ordinary and extraordinary at the same time. She's an inspiration. * Damian Hall, author and ultrarunner *Funny and engaging and inspiring... an absolute gem. * Vassos Alexander, presenter, author and runner *I was already laughing at the Dedication and this continued all the way to the very last page. Elise Downing is a comedy genius and has a heart of gold! * Danny Bent, author, runner and founder of Project Awesome *Like any epic journey worth sharing, Elise encountered the same doubts, setbacks and fears that leave many dreams stuck on the drawing board. One foot after the other, Elise set out to achieve the extraordinary many miles over. Coasting shares the literal highs and lows as she finds her rite of passage to the world of ultra-running, with an endearing vulnerability and hilarious flair that brings places to life. In the same way that countless strangers felt compelled to join her around the UK, Coasting carries the reader along and inspires us all to ask 'why not?' in pursuit of our own home-grown adventures. * Alex Staniforth, adventurer and author *Reading Coasting is like listening to a friend tell a tale down the pub that you can't quite believe. Elise's storytelling is hilarious, warm-hearted and wonderfully down-to-earth. It's the kind of book that makes you want to lace up your trainers and start running towards that mad idea you once had. There's no doubt that Elise's gung-ho attitude is her superpower. Her kryptonite? Cows. * Anna McNuff, author and adventurer *Thoughtful, funny and beautifully written. Just goes to show that there's a ram-spinning, swashbuckling adventure right there on your doorstep. * Huw Jack Brassington, writer, presenter and adventurer *

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Book SynopsisRun Like Duck is a guide to running for the unathletic, told by Mark Atkinson, a man who fell into the sport almost by accident. Progressing cautiously on a reluctant and unexpected journey to 100 Marathons (and beyond), Mark learned the hard way from years of getting it wrong. Unlikely to break any records or become a national figure for the standards he sets, he nonetheless has enhanced his life and fitness, taking his long-suffering family along with him. In this witty account, he writes about his unsteady progress while knocking the stuffing out of running pomposity.Trade Review‘Witty, funny and informative. Great for someone starting out in running!’ * Dr Margot Wells *‘A hilarious tale of one man’s obsession, packed with advice for runners from beginners to aspiring marathon competitors.’ * Sean Conway *‘This book will inspire you to stop reading and run more. Better than the Bible – if you're looking for a running book!’ * David Hellard, Bad Boy Running Podcast *‘Thanks to Mark’s brilliant self-deprecating humour, Run like Duck will have you laughing up out the couch, into your trainers, and running a hundred miles with a smile on your face before you know it.’ * Moire O’Sullivan, author of Bump, Bike & Baby *‘God-like, majestic, awe-inspiring are all words. Buy this book.’ * Jody Raynsford, Bad Boy Running Podcast *‘I haven’t read this book but how bad can it really be?’ * Robbie Britton, Team GB *

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Book SynopsisLONGLISTED FOR THE WILLIAM HILL SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARD 2021LONGLISTED FOR THE RSL ONDAATJE PRIZE 2021''Inspiring''The Guardian''Excellent''Runner''s World''Fascinating'' Publishers Weekly''Brilliant''Ed Vaizey''Through reading this book you will come to understand that the heart and soul of running are to be found in Ethiopia.'' Haile Gebrselassie''Engaging, warm and humane A delight'' TLS''Full of wonderful insights and lessons from a world where the ability to run is viewed as something almost mysterious and magical.'' Adharanand Finn, author of Running with the Kenyans ''Ethiopia is a place where I have been told that energy is controlled by angels and demons and where witchdoctors can help you to acquire another runner''s power. It is a place where an anonymous runner in the forest told me, miming an imaginary scoreboTrade ReviewExcellent * Runner's World *Engaging, warm and humane… A delight * TLS *Through reading this book you will come to understand that the heart and soul of running are to be found in Ethiopia. I welcome everyone to experience the Ethiopian love of running, and to come and have the same life altering experience that Michael had. Running is life! -- Haile GebrselassieInspiring ... evocative and easily paced ... Out of Thin Air peels back the layers of one of the world’s most extraordinary and unexplored sporting cultures, and reveals a powerful simplicity at its core. * The Guardian *Full of wonderful insights and lessons from a world where the ability to run is viewed as something almost mysterious and magical. -- Adharanand FinnOut of Thin Air is marvellous. Crawley is a superb writer, runner and anthropologist. On every page, you'll learn something new about running, and about the culture of the people in the world who do it best. -- Nick Thompson * CEO, The Atlantic *An evocative and clear-eyed portrait of Ethiopian running. -- Ed CaesarOut of Thin Air is a must-read ... We'd happily recommend it to anyone with even a passing interest in the sport. For the keen runner, it's a must-have! * Trail Running *A deep dive into the rich and complex culture that produces some of the best runners the world has ever seen. -- Alex Hutchinson * author of Endure *Fascinating ... This big-hearted tale will resonate with readers regardless of whether they’ve ever laced up a pair of running shoes. * Publishers Weekly *You don't have to be a runner to enjoy this book * Woman's Weekly *Superb ... one of our favourite books ... recommended reading for anyone with an interest in distance running. * Athletics Weekly *Table of Contents1 Special Air 2 I Could Have Been a Mesinko Player 3 Following Each Other’s Feet 4 So Good, So Far 5 Field of Dreams 6 Zigzagging to the Top 7 Crazy is Good 8 To Win in Rome Would be Like Winning 1,000 times 9 Why It Makes Sense to Run Up and Down a Hill at 3 a.m. 10 Where Does Energy Come From? 11 Th e Game is Worth the Candle 12 Taking the Air 13 Of Course They Are Trying to Kill Each Other 14 Running is Life Acknowledgements Index

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Book SynopsisI dont have time to run. The run will hurt or make me tired. I am too busy to run today. If youre always looking for any excuse to not go running, or put off starting a running regime, this book is for you! Athletes and people who just want to stay fit and exercise need to train their mind just as much as the body! Its easy to find excuses and stay at home, but with Jeff Galloways mental training strategies you will find yourself staying motivated and setting and reaching new goals in no time. In Mental Training for Runners you will find many useful tips on how to deal with stress. Jeff Galloway describes typical everyday situations and how to go out and run even if your brain is making up excuses. Jeff explains drills to help you rehearse a good response to those excuses so that over time you will change your habits; he presents training tools that will lower your stress and help you learn to set realistic goals. There is a section on better technique that will help you run better and achieve your next goal. Mental Training for Runners will put you on the path to a positive mental environment and will turn your mind, body, and spirit into a powerful team and tool. After reading and learning from this book, there will only ever be one answer to any challenge: I can do it!

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Book SynopsisRun or Die by Kilian Jornet - the autobiography of the world''s most dominating athlete in ultra runningShortlisted for the 2014 William Hill Sports Book of the Year AwardNational Geographic Adventurer of the Year 2014Marca Legend Award 2014 ''This man can run 100 miles. Up and down mountains. Without stopping. After skipping breakfast. Meet Kilian Jornet, the world''s greatest ultra-runner'' The TimesAt 18 months he went on his first hike. At 3, he climbed his first mountain. At 10, he entered his first mountain race. At 26, he plans to run up Everest - without an oxygen mask.Kilian Jornet has conquered some of the toughest physical tests on the planet. He has run up and down Mt. Kilimanjaro faster than any other human being, and struck down world records in every challenge that has been proposed - all before the age of 25. Dominating ultra marathons and races at altitude, he has redefined whaTrade ReviewFascinating insight into the gruelling world of the ultimate ultra-runner . . . It's impossible not to be inspired by Jornet's feats ... at his sheer dedication and talent to remain at the pinnacle of what must arguably be sport's most challenging discipline * Daily Mail *

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Book SynopsisThe definitive, fully authorised story of the record-breaking rivalry between London Olympics organiser Sebastian Coe and Steve Ovett, published to coincide with the 2012 games.Trade ReviewButcher weaves interviews with nostalgia, capturing the mood of those heady days for British middle-distance running. * THE HERALD *a magnificent book * EL PAIS *

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Book SynopsisGuidebook to fastpacking - multi-day running trips carrying the bare essentials - in the UK, Europe and beyond. Includes 12 route ideas (all tried and tested), fastpacking stories from around the world (featuring Jez Bragg, Anna Frost and Jasmin Paris), and invaluable tips and tricks to help you prepare for your own running adventure.A summary of each route idea is provided, together with mapping and a gradient profile, as well as highlights, tips and 'tales from the trail'. Invaluable practical information is also included, covering everything you need to know to prepare and plan for a trip: training, accommodation options, safety, equipment, apparel, nutrition, hydration and more.The route ideas and stories featured showcase an impressive range of fastpacking opportunities, both in the UK and abroad. From mountain hut hopping trips, bothy discovery tours and wild camping expeditions, the inspirational tales and selected trails are guaranteed to entice 'everyday' runners to try their hand at a multi-day journey, be it in the Brecon Beacons, Bhutan or beyond.Table of ContentsMap key Introduction Welcome to the world of fastpacking How fit do I need to be? How do I train for fastpacking? The different styles of fastpacking Where to stay Where should I go fastpacking? Key considerations when choosing a route Safety How to get started What to take Clothing Footwear Food Tips for staying happy and healthy Inspiration: Stories from the world of multi-day running A Pennine passage Solo in the Sierras Fishermen's friends To the lighthouse Hut-to-hut on high, wild trails Roman run The fastpack journals A great British adventure In the land of the thunder dragon Following in the footsteps of spring On the way Seven go running Route ideas: Twelve tried-and-tested fastpacking routes United Kingdom Route 1 Brecon Beacons Route 2 Snowdonia Route 3 South Downs Way Route 4 Dartmoor Route 5 Cumbria Way Route 6 Coast to Coast Route 7 West Highland Way Route 8 Knoydart Europe Route 9 Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc Route 10 Dolomites Alta Via 1 Route 11 Alpine Pass Route Asia Route 12 Manaslu Mountain Trail Race Appendix A Further information and reading Appendix B Gear list

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Book Synopsis_____________________________''If you''ve ever wept, Why Do I Want To Run?, your answer is here.'' CAITLIN MORANAlexandra Heminsley had high hopes: the arse of an athlete, the waist of a supermodel, the speed of a gazelle. Defeated by gyms and bored of yoga, she decided to run.Her first attempt did not end well.Six years later, she has run five marathons in two continents.But, as her dad says, you run with your head as much as with your legs. So, while this is a book about running, it''s not just about running.You could say it''s about ambition (yes, getting out of bed on a rainy Sunday morning counts), relationships (including talking to the intimidating staff in the trainer shop), as well as your body (your boobs don''t have to wobble when you run). But it''s also about realising that you can do more than you ever thought possible.Very funny, very honest and very emotional, whether you''re in serious training or thinking about running for the bus, this is a book for anyone who after wine and crisps for supper a few too many times thinks they might . . . just might . . . like to run like a girl._____________________________Here''s what people are saying about Running Like A Girl - and what it''s inspired them to do!''This book has changed my attitude, I loved it from page one and found it totally relatable for the normal woman... A real inspiration'' - Clairol on Amazon, 5 stars''I adored this book... this is a must read'' - Emily on Amazon, 5 stars''really opened my eyes and inspired me to continue running, fantastic read'' - Kiyone on Amazon, 5 stars''I was so happy to start reading this fabulous book and realise that there was someone else out there who thought exactly as I did about ''not being a runner'''' - J. Watson on Amazon, 5 stars''It''s not often I find a book that I can''t put down and this is the first for ages! ... this book echoes so many of my own limiting beliefs constructed around this subject and it was a delight to hear how Alex faced up to her own demons and finally freed her running spirit. Even if you never want to be a runner this is a fun read and an inspirational journey.'' - Joy on Amazon, 5 stars''Inspirational... Would recommend this book to anyone thinking of running! Very well put together and has lots of information and tips'' - Maria on Amazon, 5 stars''I laughed out loud... for anyone wanting to get into running you will be thinking of Alexandra when you are out there taking your first few strides, and you will be grinning!'' - J. Dunne on Amazon, 5 stars''The best thing about it is how inspiring the journey it is, how much it makes you want to get out there and run yourself. Such a fantastic aid to the beginning of your running journey'' - Emma on Amazon, 5 stars''I have been fighting with my running demons for over 12 months and had convinced myself that I couldn''t run. This book has inspired me to put my trainers on, join a club and enter three events'' - Chimaera on Amazon, 5 stars''Laugh-out-loud funny in places but real, genuine experience of the world of running from someone who''s been there, picked up the battered trainers and just run with it'' - Helen on Amazon, 5 stars''hilarious - it just kept me hooked!'' - Denise on Amazon, 5 starsTrade ReviewIf you've ever wept "Why do I want to run?", your answer is here. * Caitlin Moran, author of HOW TO BE A WOMAN *Her honesty is winning ... What's truly excellent about this book, though, is its generosity. Heminsley wants to help other women to run and she has provided a practical section at the back, where she explains how to overcome injury, how to buy the right gear (particularly the correct bra), exactly what you will need if you build up to running marathons – surprisingly fascinating even if, like me, you have no plans to do so. -- Miranda Sawyer * Observer *Candid, funny and inspiring, this is part personal journey, part “how to” guide for female runners. -- Sam Murphy * Runners World *The new memoir from Alexandra Heminsley is a meditation (slash romp) on running, life and love. Penned in her own inimitable style, the book is a funny tread through the raft of body insecurities and mental anguish we all go through when we put on our trainers. * Grazia *This book is an emotional whirlwind split into two perfect halves. First is the story of Heminsley’s own running journey – from being certain that she wasn’t a runner at all, to completing five marathons . . . The second half offers the most practical advice on ‘how to run like a girl’, invaluable, as once you finish the book, even the most unenthusiastic of sportswomen will be longing to pull on the Lycra and run for the hills. * Psychologies *

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Book SynopsisThe inspirational story of three international runners attempting to achieve what no one had managed – to break the four-minute mile barrier. It was the ultimate test of endurance, and the human drama that unfolded is told here for the first time.Trade Review‘Bascomb succeeds in seducing the reader into sympathising with them all and feeling involved in their individual stories’ The Spectator ‘The Perfect Mile is as inspiring as it is accurate and evocative’ Athletics Weekly magazine ‘Bascomb lets his wonderful story and its characters do the talking’ Sunday Telegraph

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Book SynopsisWhen Mimi first started jogging on a treadmill as an unfit 36-year-old mother-of-three, she never imagined she would go on to become a World-Record-breaking ultrarunner. After coming to terms with the anorexia that had impacted her life from a young age, Mimi begins to reassess her relationship with food and finds a new resolve in running. With a renewed sense of purpose, she decides to take the sport that saved her life to the next level, training hard and throwing herself in at the deep end by entering the epic Marathon des Sables in the Sahara desert, despite still being a novice runner. One startling success leads to another, as she finds herself taking on ever-more-challenging races - from the Badwater Ultramarathon in Death Valley, USA, to the 6633 Arctic Ultra - all building up to her biggest challenge yet: attempting to gain the Guinness World Record time for a female running 840 miles from John o'Groats to Land's End. This incredible story of how an ordinary mum ran her way into the record books will inspire beginner runners and die-hard marathon devotees alike, proving that, no matter where life takes you, it's never too late to achieve your dreams and do the impossible.Trade ReviewA heart-warming story full of unimaginable feats * Lisa Jackson, author of Your Pace or Mine? *Mimi's story is truly amazing... Reading about her incredible journey will make anyone believe they can achieve anything they set their mind to. * Nell McAndrew *This book will inspire you to take on new challenges and achieve things you never believed you could... While you might not be up to world-record attempts or super-ultra-length runs, Mimi will inspire you to be brave enough to take that next step on your running journey. * Leanne Davies, Founder of Run Mummy Run *

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Book SynopsisIf you're a mum who wants to run, there's nothing stopping you!When busy mum Leanne Davies set up a social media group for her and a couple of friends to encourage one another to go running, she never imagined it would quickly become a nationwide network of thousands of women, all sharing a passion for the sport and a penchant for colourful compression socks.Gathering the very best of the advice and tips from the Run Mummy Run network, Leanne and co-writer Lucy have created this comprehensive beginner's guide to running that includes sections on:- From starting with a Couch To 5k plan to building up the confidence to race- Fitting in running around work and family life- Overcoming barriers to exercise- How to keep on running when motivation wanes, and much more!Not just your average practical go-to, this book is filled with down-to-earth advice, training schedules and inspirational stories that'll help you to be fit, healthy and happy.Trade ReviewAs a busy mum myself, I know how difficult it can be to fit running in around your family and commitments. Run Mummy Run is an informative and supportive guide, and has the perfect combination of practical advice, tips and real-life stories. It will get you started on your journey to becoming a runner, which will hopefully turn into a lifelong passion for you. A really enjoyable read and highly recommended * Jo Pavey *RMR is a friendly, encouraging, supportive community, helping women to be the best they can be * Nell McAndrew *

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Book SynopsisMountain running ranks up there as one of the toughest sports. Having the ability and athleticism to race up and down Britain's highest peaks takes stamina, peak fitness and years of specialised training. So how did a teenage punk rocker from Yorkshire, seemingly existing on a diet of cider, parties and loud music, become the British Champion fell runner? The history of mountain running is peppered with legendary feats and characters, ultra-hard men and women who can run seemingly non-stop over our highest and toughest peaks and skylines. Flicking through the black-and-white photographs telling the story of these past champions of the sport you're struck by how wiry, super-fit and disciplined they look. Then, from nowhere, along comes Gary Devine. A maverick who jogged onto the scene sporting spiky dyed pink hair and a tatty running vest, hungover from the previous night's party, smiling and joking at the start line as he wiped the sleep out of his eyes - before showing everyone a muddy pair of heels and running off to win. This is the fascinating story of how an unlikely and eccentric runner became, against all expectations, the British Champion. It's a tale that focuses on the races that made up Devine's victorious 1990 season, while opening out to understand how the unruly, fearless ethos at the heart of punk could chime perfectly with the spirited, gutsy and dauntless root of mountain running; how the elements of surprise and daring are central to both. It's a near-perfect underdog narrative, a drama that traces one boy's life from ordinary schoolkid to extraordinary winner - all against a backdrop of alcohol, fights, arrests and extreme guitar noise. Following Devine from his roots as a punk rock convert to his years racing alongside the world's elite mountain runners, this is both a tale of implausible triumph to match that of comic book hero Alf Tupper and at the same time a compelling narrative of how running - like life - can be a wonderful and unexpected adventure. "Faster! Louder! is a great combination of different mad energy - punk and fell running. I knew nothing about the cult of fell running. Now I want to know more. The story has a unique take on music and running as a life force and is also a love letter to the fell running landscape." Richard Jobson, THe SKIDS "A stirringly evocative, riveting, hilarious, nostalgic, important book about two opposing worlds that aren't so different after all." Damian Hall, author and elite ultra-runner "With the lifestyle Gary led, it's amazing how the hell he was able to run races - never mind win so many. A bit of a wayward lad but I'm full of admiration for him - he did it his way!" Billy Bland, legendary fell runner "A strange, exhilarating blast of a book, throbbing with energy and sweaty authenticity. FASTER! LOUDER! celebrates fell-running as it used to be, rough and untamed, through the story of a maverick hero whose remarkable athletic triumphs are achieved against a grubby backdrop of brawls and hangovers, squats and drug-busts, and very loud music." Richard Askwith, author of 'Feet In The Clouds' "A most enjoyable look at fell running with a punk soundtrack and attitude. At school I was the one at the back of the pack sneaking off for a cig. Reading this book has made me wish it had been different. The challenge and exhilaration of the love of running in itself; the weather; the fells and the personal challenge - it all makes for a great read and I'm happy that Killing Joke may have been along for the ride." Big Paul Ferguson, Killing Joke

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Book SynopsisIn 1986, the legendary fell runner Joss Naylor completed a continuous circuit of all 214 Wainwright fells in the Lake District, covering a staggering distance of over 300 miles – plus many thousands of metres of ascent – in only seven days and one hour.Those in the know thought that this record would never be beaten. It is the ultimate British ultramarathon. The person taking on this superhuman challenge would have to be willing to push harder and suffer more than ever before. There is no Map in Hell tells the story of a man willing to do just that.In 2014, Steve Birkinshaw made an attempt at setting a new record. With a background of nearly forty years of running elite orienteering races and extreme-distance fell running over the toughest terrain, if he couldn’t do it, surely no one could. But the Wainwrights challenge is in a different league: aspirants need to complete two marathons and over 5,000 metres of ascent every day for a week.With a foreword by Joss Naylor, There is no Map in Hell recounts Birkinshaw’s preparation, training and mile-by-mile experience of the extraordinary and sometimes hellish demands he made of his mind and body, and the physiological aftermath of such a feat. His deep love of the fells, phenomenal strength and tenacity are awe inspiring, and testimony to athletes and onlookers alike that ‘in order to attain the impossible, one must attempt the absurd’.Trade Review'An epic account of an extraordinary achievement by a remarkable athlete.' (Richard Askwith, author of Feet in the Clouds and Running Free); 'The world of ultra running has many ordinary people doing extraordinary things, but none more so than Steve Birkinshaw. In this book Steve tells his own remarkable story from his childhood exploits in orienteering to his record-breaking six-day 214-peak Wainwrights run. The aftermath of this huge effort saw Steve suffer with an unknown illness linked with fatigue, and he tells this side of his story with openness and emotion. There is no Map In Hell is a story of a family man with a yearning for adventure in the hills, and is a book that any runner will love.' (Andy Nuttall, ULTRA magazine); 'A very entertaining, revealing and highly readable account of this top mountain runner's trials and tribulations on trail races and record-breaking attempts - most notably the Wainwrights. It's a fascinating insight into what drives Steve to push himself quite so incredibly hard. A must-read this summer!' (Claire Maxted, Trail Running magazine); 'This is a captivating account of a seriously extreme journey. The tales of preparation and recovery are as fascinating as the meticulous detail of the record breaking run itself.' (David McCabe, Editor of The Fellrunner magazine); 'He modestly describes the toll it takes as his body gradually disintegrates over the seven days, and also the difficulties the fatigue give him afterwards. If you like extreme challenges, this is a brilliant unravelling of the preparation and effects of Steve's navigation to and through hell.' (Steve Chilton, fell runner and author of several popular running books); 'This book has been a discovery of a thorough, deep, loving, thoughtful man with a core of steel. Steve took the level of what humans (or rather Steve) can endure to the furthest possible imaginable level.' (Nicky Spinks, elite fell runner); 'Tough, gritty, humane, and funny, Steve shows the sport and the community in its true light. An inspirational tale of human endeavour in the mountains, this is the stuff of fell-running legend'. (Jasmin Paris, elite fell runner); 'A wince-inducing insight into what it takes to break epic fell-running records, told with the sort of reluctance and humility that makes Birkinshaw all the more of a hero. I loved the book.' (Damian Hall, outdoor journalist and ultramarathon runner); 'The book is a fascinating account of what makes Steve tick and I am seriously impressed with both Steve's determination and the book. The book is a compelling read by a nice but extremely tough person that has pushed his body to the limit of what it can take.' (Billy Bland, Bob Graham Round record holder and former champion fell runner); 'There is no Map in Hell is a frank, personal, yet inspiring account of an ultra-endurance feat few could comprehend. Steve's book is a tour-de-force of the Lake District Wainwrights, detailing a once in a generation record, which was only possible thanks Steve's lifetime of mountain running experience, and the strength of personality to suck up suffering like few could imagine.' (Shane Ohly, Race Director - Berghaus Dragon's Back Race). There is no Map in Hell puts meat on the bones of the raw statistics of such a mammoth physical and mental effort, without pathos. He [Steve] provides an insight into how he came to be one of Britain's top ultrarunners; the build-up to the Wainwrights attempt and the massive amount of help he had from many people to enable him to accomplish his astonishing feat. (Bob Smith, Editor of Grough magazine); There is no Map in Hell shares Steve's quest to break a record. You'll be side by side with him, experiencing his preparation, training and gruelling mile-by-mile run. This book will give you confidence to keep working towards your goals. (Evie Serventi, Running magazine).Table of ContentsForeword by Joss Naylor MBEPart 1 I have always run1. Starting out2. Running takes over3. The Bob Graham Round4. The Ramsay Round and the Paddy Buckley Round5. 2008 Lakeland 1006. 2009 Lake District 24-hour Record Attempt7. 2009 Lakeland 1008. 2010 Lake District 24-hour Record Attempt9. 2012 Berghaus Dragon's Back RacePart 2 Considering the challenge10. The Wainwrights11. Previous Wainwright runners12. The Plan13. Multiple Sclerosis: additional motivation14. A logistical mountain to climb15. A new training regime16. Making a movie17. Two-week countdownPart 3 Taking on the Wainwrights18. Day One19. Day Two20. Day Three21. Day Four22. Day Five23. Day Six24. Day SevenPart 4 The aftermathEpilogueBibliographyAppendix.

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Book SynopsisAn enlightening biography and gripping sports narrative that takes us behind the scenes into the lives of some of the world’s most elite runners in Kenya and their coach, Patrick Sang. "I highly recommend this book." —Meb KeflezighiAt a secluded training camp in Kaptagat, Kenya, a small town nearly 8,000 feet above sea level in the Great Rift Valley, three-dozen world-class runners, including Olympic champions, world record holders and the fastest marathoner of all-time, share simple dormitory-style rooms and endure grueling workouts six days a week. These determined, devoted, and selfless runners are who they are because of a man named Patrick Sang. One of the greatest—and least-heralded coaches in the sport—Sang is described by his athletes as a “life coach.” In We Share the Sun, Sarah Gearhart takes us inside this high-octane world of elites of which few are even aware of and even fewer have ever seen. We are immersed in Sang’s remarkable story, from his college days in the US to winning an Olympic medal in the steeplechase, and his journey to become a man who redefines what coaching means. There is no singular secret to athletic success, but, as readers will learn, Sang’s holistic philosophy is like no other approach in the world. It is rooted in developing athletes who can navigate the pressures of elite competition—and life itself. In these pages, we explore Sang’s influence on his athletes — including his unique and longstanding relationship with marathon world record holder Eliud Kipchoge — as they prepared for the delayed Tokyo Olympics and other competitions. We witness the remarkable recovery of two-time New York City Marathon champion Geoffrey Kamworor after a freak accident as he strove to earn his first Olympic medal. And we follow one of the world’s most dominant mid-distance runners, Faith Kipyegon, as she attempted a historic repeat title in the 1,500 meters three years after the birth of her first child. We Share the Sun brings forth the remarkable lives and stories of East African runners, whose stories are seldom shared. Through Gearhart's vivid prose, we experience the richness that exists in Kenya as we come as close as we possibly can to running alongside a current and future generation of elites—and the man who molds them into champions.Trade Review"An engaging book for those who want to explore the structural, social, and relational foundations of Kenyan elite marathoners. Compelling and accessible, I found Gearhart’s guidance through this world captivating." * Nicholas Triolo, Outside *"Gifted sports journalist Gearhart’s account of the fabulous success of Kenyan distance runners focuses on Sang and his world-class training program. Gearhart shares rare insight into the coach and his methods, which emphasize helping runners achieve their full athletic potential as well as developing them into humans with a 'strong moral compass.' Running fans and coaches will surely draw inspiration from this humble coach who rewards effort, imparts life lessons, and shares uplifting holistic philosophy.” -- Booklist, starred review "A fascinating ode to all a coach can offer beyond holding the stopwatch. Eliud Kipchoge calls Patrick Sang a ‘life coach,’ a man who confesses to speaking in parables and who sees his job being to shape the whole person, not just the athlete. Like Sang’s coaching vision, this book contains wisdom that extends far beyond the track." -- Michael Crawley, author of Out of Thin Air: Running Wisdom and Magic from Above the Clouds in Ethiopia“By turns moving and insightful, We Share the Sun is the fascinating story of one of the world’s greatest coaches as well as a window into rural Kenya and how the way of life has given rise to one of the most dominant sporting cultures on the planet. Patrick Sang is a man full of wisdom and compassion. It’s a joy to read his story.” -- Adharanand Finn, author of Running with the Kenyans and The Rise of the Ultra Runners“‘Life is like water poured on the ground. It naturally finds its course.’ Patrick Sang’s life journey as a humble and hard-working man who gives back is beautifully illustrated, and I highly recommend the book.” -- Meb Keflezighi, Four-time Olympian, New York City and Boston Marathon Champion, and New York Times bestselling author"More than his staggering success as a coach, it’s Patrick Sang’s thoughtful approach to personal development—to finding each athlete’s Why—that shines through in Gearhart’s charming and deeply reported account.” -- Alex Hutchinson, Ph.D., National Magazine Award-winning journalist, author of Endure: Mind, Body, and the Curiously Elastic Limits of Human Performance"In prose as elegant as the strides of the athletes she describes, Sarah Gearhart takes us deep within the monastic world of elite Kenyan runners and their mentor Patrick Sang. Her unhurried inspection brings to life the determination, dedication, and urgency to succeed. It’s a captivating study of striving at the highest level and will inspire anyone to press on no matter the challenges that confront them.” -- Toni Reavis, U.S. broadcaster, writer and recipient of the George Hirsch Journalism Award"Sarah Gearhart unravels the secrets behind the coaching of the best athletes in the world. Anyone who cares about performing at your best should read this book. The stories are captivating, and the lessons are invaluable.” -- Steve Magness, world-renowned performance coach and author of The Science of Running and Do Hard Things“I enjoyed reading Sarah Gearhart’s We Share the Sun about Coach Patrick Sang’s leadership role in Kenyan athletics. It was interesting to learn how Sang’s experiences while a scholarship college student in the US influenced him, especially the strong bond with his own coach. Gearhart reveals Coach Sang’s discipline with his athletes alongside the emphasis on hard work. Runners can learn so much from this book!” -- Bill Rodgers, Olympian, four-time winner of the Boston marathon, four-time consecutive winner of the New York City marathon"The great Eliud Kipchoge is a man without equal in the sport of running. Or so I thought before I read We Share the Sun, Sarah Gearhart’s captivating biography of Kipchoge’s charismatic longtime coach Patrick Sang.” -- Matt Fitzgerald, author of On Pace, 80/20 Running and Running the Dream

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Book SynopsisThere Is No Wall is ultrarunner Allie Bailey’s brutally honest and sometimes shocking account of alcoholism, depression and severe mental breakdowns which almost cost her her life. Told with disarming vulnerability, heartbreaking depth of feeling and dark humour, this isn’t a story about how running saved her – she was already running and at the height of her struggles sometimes even winning 100-mile-plus races. But somewhere between the darkest excesses of the music industry and the simple beauty of the ultrarunning scene, Allie found space to listen, learn and put into practice techniques that would go on to save her life and change it for the better. There Is No Wall is a story about how doing something you love can lead you to achieve things you never thought possible. Running won’t save you, but it might buy you the time to save yourself.Table of Contents Introduction: The stories we believe are the ones we tell ourselves the most PART ONE: THE AWAKENINGS Blog One: A prologue to madness (2017) I: How the fuck did this happen? II: You are so lucky III: Running won’t save you PART TWO: THE RECKONINGS Blog Two: Down and out in Paris (and London) (2017) I: Well, that escalated quickly II: Love is a four-letter word III: There is a rock bottom PART THREE: THE REALISINGS Blog three: I wanted to be invisible. At my lowest I just wanted to be dead (2021) I. Take the pieces and build them skywards II. Mind the gap, please. III. Dear Reader (protect your magic) EPILOGUE Blog Four: Until you’re broken, you don’t know what you’re made of. Taking the ride of my life on the Wild Horse 200 (2023)

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Book Synopsis'A must-have for any woman targeting the distance' Runner's World Master the Marathon is a comprehensive guide to marathon training for women at all levels of running - beginner, intermediate and advanced. Packed with tips from the foremost female experts and coaches in running, Master the Marathon takes you through everything you need to know to be prepared for the 26.2 miles of the marathon, including: · Detailed training plans and strength training programs · How to build mental awareness of your body · Optimum nutrition and diet · Identifying and avoiding potential injuries · Guidance on finding the best marathon for you Both incredibly practical and deeply motivating, and including a foreword by Olympic long-distance runner Desiree Linden, Master the Marathon will help you unlock the strength and determination inside you to embark on the spectacular journey that is the marathon.Trade ReviewHaving Master the Marathon as a resource designed specifically for women is going to help us find our proper paces, necessary fueling needs, optimal mind-set, and more by using the details in our life and physiology that make us unique. Most important, this guide is going to provide you with the practical tools to help you become a better version of yourself -- Desiree Linden, US Olympic long-distance runnerFrank and encouraging ... Women looking for a guide to long distance running need look no further * Publishers Weekly *A must-have for any woman targeting the distance * Runner's World *Providing access to the kind of insights elite runners enjoy * Coachmag.co.uk *

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Book Synopsis'Invaluable' - WATERSTONES BEST SPORTS BOOKS OF 2022 'Born to Run 2 is a must read for every runner out there' Rich Roll 'Amazing, really incredibly inspiring book' Joe Wicks on Born to Run Born to Run's Chris McDougall and long-time running coach Eric Orton show us how to join the global barefoot running movement and explore the world on our own two feet. Born to Run 2: The Ultimate Training Guide teaches every runner, new or experienced, how to master humankind's first true superpower and tap into hidden reserves of strength and stamina. With chapters dedicated to the Free Seven - Food, Fitness, Form, Focus, Footwear, Fun and Family - we learn exactly how to change our biomechanics, clean up our diets, heal our injuries, adapt to healthier footwear, and prepare for our dream challenge. Packed with advice and inspiring stories from runners who have made the transition, it includes: - A rock-solid food primer on optimum diet and power-packed On the Run recipes - Techniques for running with dogs and baby buggies to help you run with the whole family - 'Perfect Form' exercises that will overhaul your stride in less than ten minutes - A 90-Day Run Free Programme, designed to give everything you need to run faster and farther, forever.Trade ReviewBorn to Run greatly inspired me as a writer and as an athlete ... Born to Run 2 is a must read for every runner out there -- Rich RollA hybrid of inspiring running stories and practical training advice -- Runner's World podcastMcDougall's seminal Born to Run sparked a huge craze for barefoot running that shows no sign of slowing down, and with this invaluable manual he sets out an in-depth guide to the seven key areas essential to getting the most out of the activity * Waterstones Best Sports Books of 2022 *A sequel with a difference ... Practical advice on everything from training to diet choices, footwear and running form. This will be of interest to anyone who enjoyed the original book * Athletics Weekly *A programme for amateur runners: covering biomechanics, diet, injury prevention and, crucially, the fun of it all * Men's Fitness *A blend of how-to guide [and Chris McDougall's] trademark great storytelling and enthusiasm -- Shankara Smith, co-owner of Run & BecomeAn explanation of processes, principles and methods to the Run Free philosophy, mixed in with the experiences of those who have tried it, as well as sections on improving your running form through to nutrition and, yes, footwear * Athletics Weekly *Praise for Born to Run: Part how-to manual, part scientific treatise, but throughout a ripping yarn, this book will inspire everyone who reads it to think on their feet * Independent *Amazing, really incredibly inspiring book -- Joe WicksA fascinating and inspiring true adventure story, destined to become a classic -- Ranulph FiennesNot just a classic book for runners, but for anyone who has ever dreamed of venturing beyond their comfort zone -- Tim ButcherA really phenomenal book -- Jon StewartA bible for the barefoot running community -- Ben Fogle * Telegraph *This is, quite simply, the best book on sport I have ever read * Sydney Morning Herald *Reaches the state of bliss that runners ... very occasionally experience in the midst of an endless run -- Simon Kuper * Financial Times *Quite simply the best book you'll ever read about running ... it's brilliant, and brilliantly life-affirming -- Lloyd Bradley, author of The Rough Guide to RunningAn operatic ode to the joys of running * Washington Post *One of the most joyful and engaging books about running to appear for many years * Irish Times *One of the biggest phenomenons in running literature ... I struggle to think of a book that's had a bigger impact -- Runner's World podcast

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Book SynopsisPeople have run Marathons for more than 100 years, but how long is a marathon? Where are they run? Who can enter? Find out all about one of the most toughest and popular running events, in this non-chronological report.People have run Marathons for more than 100 years, but how long is a marathon? Where are they run? Who can enter? Find out all about one of the most toughest and popular running events, in this non-chronological report.Pages 14-15 feature a glossary, index, and a whole host of marathon facts.Orange/Band 6 books offer varied text and characters, with action sustained over several pages.Ideas for Guided Reading in the back of the book provide practical support and stimulating activities.This book has been levelled for Reading Recovery.This book has been quizzed for Accelerated Reader.

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Book SynopsisThe remarkable true story of an unrivalled journey to recreate the greatest run in film history: 15,621 miles, five-times across the United States.Rob Pope has made his name revelling in challenges that range from the unconventional to the extraordinary.' BBC NewsBecoming Forrest is the incredible story of Englishman Rob Pope, a veterinarian who left his job in pursuit of a dream to become the first person ever to complete the epic run undertaken by one of Hollywood's most beloved characters, Forrest Gump. After his momma urged him to do one thing in life that made a difference, he flew to Alabama, put on his running shoes, and sped off into the wilderness.His remarkable journey covered 15,600 miles, the distance from the North to the South Pole and a third of the way back. Over a grueling 18 months, braving injuries, blizzards, forest fires and deadly wildlife, he crossed the United States five times. During one of the most turbulent periods in recent American history, Rob immersed hTrade Review‘Rob Pope is a real-life Hollywood superstar!’Dean Karnazes, author of Ultramarathon Man ‘A simply staggering feat of endurance and storytelling. The tenacity, curiosity and humour of Rob’s amazing journey comes through in every page of this wonderful tale about people, discovery and a very, very long road.’ Mark Beaumont, author of The Man Who Cycled the World ‘With tons of humour Rob Pope takes us into one of the greatest running journeys. Lace up your shoes and enjoy this excellent book!’ Kilian Jornet, runner and author of Above the Clouds ‘What Rob has achieved both physically and mentally is mind-blowing, a true feat of human endurance.’ Tom Evans, Ultrarunner ‘A very readable and entertaining travelogue about an effing extraordinary run.’ Damian Hall, author of In It for the Long Run: Breaking records and getting FKT ‘Most of us watched that scene and thought: cute. Pope watched it and thought: could that be possible? … Like Gump, Pope also experienced what it was like to drift through America when history rears its ugly head. … He brightens people’s day. Pope is serious about running, but, just like Gump, he doesn’t overthink it. Why should someone run? “Because you want to,” he says.’ The Observer ‘A stirring chronicle … What quickly becomes striking — on top of the extreme distance of his runs, often “forty miles every day without rest” — is Pope’s innate curiosity and fascination with the world around him. … This is sure to inspire distance runners as well as those interested in a hearty slice of Americana.’ Publishers Weekly starred review

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