Running and jogging Books

Book SynopsisAnthropologist Jasmina Praprotnik met Helena Zigon while running. Over the course of an icy Slovenian winter, the two marathon runners got together frequently, and Zigon told Praprotnik about her life. Here, Praprotnik tells Zigon's captivating story in Zigon's own voice. Each chapter is marked by a kilometer of the half-marathon Zigon ran...Trade Review"Helena Zigon's story has already captured the minds and hearts of readers in Slovenia and will assuredly do the same with English-language readers. The book is a testament to the beauty of Zigon as well as the powerful nature of humanistic writing."—Christine Worobec, author of Possessed: Women, Witches, and Demons in Imperial Russia (NIU Press, 2001) "This original book combines a specialist's story, written by someone who has made a career of inspiring people to run, with the biography of a remarkable woman, who ran her way through the twentieth century. It will be a delight for anyone interested in a life well-lived, as well as anyone with an interest, competitive or recreational, in running and what it can do not only for the body, but for the soul."—Noah Charney, author of The Art Thief "Praprotnik's narrative, crafted from interviews with the legendary Slovenian runner, uses each kilometer of the Istrian half-marathon as a chapter marker, weaving together the course of an amazing life with that of a grueling race. It is a compelling, inspirational, and humbling story."—Amy Nelson, author of Music for the Revolution: Musicians and Power in Early Soviet Russia "To say that the story of Helena Zigon's life is inspiring would be a vast understatement. As told to her fellow Slovenian runner Jasmina Kozina Praprotnik, a first-time author, Zigon achieves a rare feat, delivering a compelling tale of relentless perseverance without a hint of self-aggrandizement. Zigon's demonstration of athletic prowess is all the more astonishing for having continued well into old age. 'I am not so young anymore,' the octogenarian marathoner says, with disarming candor. 'I just have to make sure that I run with moderation and wisdom.' As she does so, mile after exhausting mile, Zigon ruminates on her life's highs and lows, among them her mother's abandonment of a young Helena. 'What would she have said if she had seen how fast I was, if she had seen me win?' Zigon wonders wistfully. 'Would she have been proud of me?' Readers of The Long Running Life of Helene Zigon will doubtless identify with this remarkable woman's yearnings."—Nick Madigan, correspondent for The New York Times "This masterfully told story of marathon runner Helena Zigon is an authentic portrait of a woman who has found joy and peace in running-engrossing, insightful, and heartwarming."—Kate Padilla, contributor to Weavin' chapbooks and Hers: A Poets Speak Anthology "This is a luminous and inspiring account. Praprotnik's book is full of wisdom about how running-in life's toughest times-can be one's salvation. I will feel Helena Zigon's courageous spirit on my morning runs along the Slovenian coast."—Joji Sakurai, journalist published in Financial Times, New York Times, New Statesman, and Foreign Policy

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Book SynopsisIf you are a serious runner, you are well aware of the aches and pains associated with the sport. Run Healthy: The Runner’s Guide to Injury Prevention and Treatment was written to help you distinguish discomfort from injury. It provides the latest science-based and practical guidance for identifying, treating, and minimizing the most common injuries in track, road, and trail running.Gain a better understanding of how the musculoskeletal system functions and responds to training. Develop a practical and effective training plan to address the regions where injuries most often occur: feet and toes, ankles, knees, hips, and low back. Learn how a combination of targeted strength training, mobility exercises, and running drills can improve running form, economy, and performance.When injuries inevitably happen, you’ll know how to identify them, treat them, and recover from them. Get targeted recommendations for some of the most common issues runners face, such as plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinitis, shin splints, hamstring tendinitis and tendinopathy, and IT band syndrome.Throughout, you’ll hear from 17 runners on how the techniques in this book helped them overcome their injuries and got them quickly and safely back to training and racing. You’ll also find an in-depth discussion of alternative therapies such as acupuncture, cupping, CBD, cryotherapy, and cleanses to help you separate fact from fiction and decide for yourself which, if any, of these therapies to pursue.Injuries can and do happen, but with Run Healthy you’ll be running strong for many years to come.Earn continuing education credits/units! A continuing education exam that uses this book is also available. It may be purchased separately or as part of a package that includes both the book and exam.Trade Review"When I was a new runner, the best thing I did was entrust Coach Cane with my life—my training, sure, but also my emotional well-being throughout my first marathon build. Not only did he accomplish his task of getting me to the start line and finish line healthy, he helped me (a former run hater) become someone who loves to run and who has a healthy relationship with the sport. Not an easy task! Jonathan Cane, Emmi Aguillard, and Allison Goldstein are three of the best at what they do. Run Healthy is a tremendous resource for runners of all levels, written by three people who have been there, run that; learned from it all; and are here to share their wisdom and insight with us all. What a gift!"—Ali Feller, Host of the Ali on the Run Show Podcast Table of ContentsPart I. The Runner’s BodyChapter 1. Understanding the Body’s Tissues and Their Healing ProcessesChapter 2. Navigating Your Treatment OptionsChapter 3. Injuries to Muscle and BoneChapter 4. Soft Tissue MaintenancePart II. Body RegionsChapter 5. Feet and ToesChapter 6. AnklesChapter 7. KneesChapter 8. HipsChapter 9. Low BackPart III. Common ConditionsChapter 10. Plantar FasciitisChapter 11. Achilles TendinitisChapter 12. Shin SplintsChapter 13. Hamstring Tendinitis and TendinopathyChapter 14. IT Band SyndromePart IV. Healthy TrainingChapter 15. Principles of Smart TrainingChapter 16. Ideal Running FormChapter 17. Nutrition and FuelingChapter 18. Alternative Therapies and Myth Busting

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Book SynopsisBreakthrough Women’s Running is written just for you—a woman runner who has big goals and needs a plan to achieve them. In her trademark fun and upbeat style, professional runner and coach Neely Spence Gracey will set you up for success with an inside look at her own story in the sport—paired with the science, experience, strategies, and insights that have worked for her and countless other female runners who set challenging goals and achieved them. Told with engaging storytelling and packed with colorful images and practical recommendations to improve your running, Breakthrough Women’s Running offers 5K, 10K, half-marathon, marathon, and run-walk training plans to suit your current distance or pacing goals. With the strength and mobility workouts included in the plans, you don’t have to wonder where and how to fit in these important (but often overlooked) components of a successful running training program. Learn how to breathe in rhythm and how to focus with mantras and mindfulness exercises. Get specific guidance on how to best manage unique challenges that women confront such as hormone fluctuations; training through the menstrual cycle, while pregnant, or after childbirth; and training while also raising a family. Know how to train to prevent injury as well as how to return to running should an injury occur. And fuel your training with five simple recipes that are nutrient dense and simple to prepare. You’ll hear from well-known, successful women runners such as Sara Hall and Nell Rojas on how even elite runners experience highs and lows in their training as well as how they themselves overcame obstacles to reach their goals. At the ends of chapters, you’ll find Breakthrough Goals—a section of small, tangible actions that you can apply in your own training to overcome specific obstacles. If you’re looking for a strategic and progressive approach for breaking through your physical or mental barriers to achieve more successful and fulfilling running, you’ve found it with Breakthrough Women’s Running.Trade Review“If you’re a female runner looking to reach the next level, you’ll want to add Breakthrough Women’s Running to your list.”—Runner’s World"Every runner wants to reach the next level. In Breakthrough Women’s Running, Gracey and Kuzma show you how. This book is packed with clear, easy-to-follow advice plus personal stories and anecdotes that will elevate your running and your life."—Michelle Hamilton, Journalist and Coauthor (With Olympian Deena Kastor) of Let Your Mind Run"In our community, there are few things we love more than a book written for women, by women. Breakthrough Women’s Running is a robust lifestyle guide that will help you take your fitness—and confidence—to the next level.”—Sarah Bowen Shea, Coauthor of Run Like a Mother and Host of Another Mother Runner Podcast"This book is game changing for women's running. I found myself wanting to keep reading and reading as I simultaneously soaked in wisdom, smiled in appreciation, and nodded my head in agreement. Neely and Cindy are elevating women's running in the best way."—Megan Roche, MD, Coach for Some Work, All Play (SWAP); 2016 USATF Women’s Ultra Trail Runner of the Year; Six-Time Member of Team USA; and Coauthor of The Happy Runner“If you’re a female runner looking to reach the next level, let Breakthrough Women’s Running help you get there! Blending the perspectives of pro runner Neely Gracey and prolific running writer Cindy Kuzma, along with the experiences of seasoned and successful athletes, this book is a must-read for female runners of all ages, abilities, and aspirations.”—Becky Wade, Professional Runner and Author of Run the World: My 3,500-Mile Journey Through Running Cultures Around the GlobeTable of ContentsPart IChapter 1. Dream Big; Start SmallChapter 2. Plan SmartChapter 3. Recover RightChapter 4. Feed Your FirePart IIChapter 5. Master Your CycleChapter 6. Ready, Set, GrowPart IIIChapter 7. Train Like an AthleteChapter 8. Stay HealthyChapter 9. Exercise Your BrainChapter 10. Breathe BetterPart IVChapter 11. Let’s Get Running!Chapter 12. 5K and 10K Training PlansChapter 13. Half-Marathon Training PlanChapter 14. Marathon Training PlanChapter 15. Run-Walk Training PlanChapter 16. Reset for SuccessChapter 17. Get It Together

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Book SynopsisBecoming a Sustainable Runner is not just another running guide on developing the physical attributes to run faster or longer. What it will help you achieve is a newfound purpose that merges your passion for running with your concern for your health, your community, and the environment. It weaves together concepts of internal and external sustainability in a way that will help you run, think, and act in a way that is in line with your values.Divided into three parts, the book begins by giving you the tools to find excitement and joy in your runs and sustain your running for the long term. These include acknowledging stressors, setting new challenges, changing where you run and who you run with, and prioritizing physical and mental rest to minimize the risk of injury, illness, and burnout.Next, discover ways to enrich your running through personal connections. Learn about the importance of joining or forming a running community that fosters comradery with others who believe in the power of service and in giving back in meaningful and impactful ways.Then, tap into your passion to sustain our planet. Know what it means to be an eco-conscious traveler, make environmentally friendly choices about where you run and the products you use, and reduce your carbon footprint through the 3R’s: reducing, reusing, and recycling.Throughout the book you’ll enjoy stories from the authors about their personal challenges and triumphs as runners and stewards of the environment. Quotes and insights from well-known runners who are also climate change and environmental justice advocates underscore the breadth and depth of the issues facing us all.As a runner, you have the power to change the world for the better. Becoming a Sustainable Runner provides actionable steps to help you do just that.Trade Review“Tina and Zoë make us think about our strategy and goals in races and life. Better yet, they expect us to channel our energy for the greater good and the environment. I highly recommend Becoming a Sustainable Runner to everyone who exercises!”—Meb Keflezighi, Olympic Marathon Silver Medalist and Winner of the New York City Marathon and Boston Marathon“I’ve been waiting a long time for a book that puts running in the broader context of our bodies, our minds, and the world around us. Becoming a Sustainable Runner is that book.”—Malcolm Gladwell, New York Times Bestselling Author“I've loved running for a long time now, and I often think about how running nourishes me. What I don't think enough about is how we can use running to make our world better too. Becoming a Sustainable Runner is a practical guide for how we can all do this, in ways that make our running all the more joyful and sustaining.”—Simran Jeet Singh, Five-Time Marathoner and Author of National Bestseller The Light We Give"Becoming a Sustainable Runner is a fantastic example of how to improve your life in more of a wholesome way, and running is the muse that can be used to become aware and integrate how we are and want to live the rest of our life. When we are aware, we have more choices. When we are healthy, we make healthier choices, and those choices help the rest of our lives and the planet."—Darin Olien, Author of New York Times Bestseller Superlife and Cohost of Down to Earth With Zac Efron“Tina stands out as a vastly experienced and accomplished athlete, but it is her ability to place her craft in the broader context of life that makes her stand apart. In Becoming a Sustainable Runner, she helps explain not just how to run well but also how to live well by running. The difference is important, and it makes for a great read.”—Tim Brown, Cofounder of Allbirds“In Becoming a Sustainable Runner, Tina and Zoë have written a beautiful, thought-provoking, and empowering book. It gives us the tools to become more sustainable runners and drive positive change in our world, as well as the belief that we can all make a difference. Personally, it has helped me reframe my relationship with running and given me more confidence to challenge the status quo and fight for inclusion.”—Sophie Power, Ultrarunner and Founder of SheRaces"Becoming a Sustainable Runner is like getting a joyful, motivational hug from friends before a big race. Zoë and Tina grab flashlights, shine them under our beds, and help us realize those things we all share can be friends instead of monsters. It's always so scary to think of big topics like showing up every day, relentlessly, to improve as a runner and community member. This book teaches us that showing up every day can be so damn fun, especially when you have one of those flashlights that Zoë and Tina shine into the dark places. After you read this book, you're going to have to buy extra-strength melatonin because you're going to be so excited to wake up the next day and show the heck up. It's a delightful feeling, inspired by a delightful and important book.”—David Roche and Megan Roche, MD, PhD, Coaches and Authors of The Happy Runner "Every runner looking to embody a truly sustainable lifestyle needs to read Becoming a Sustainable Runner. Zoë and Tina explore every aspect of what being a sustainable runner means, from the lenses of mental health and body image, all the way to environmental impacts and sociocultural perspectives. This book exemplifies the interconnectedness of our actions with the outside world and goes to show that lifelong runners will be those who can find sustainability across all areas of life, not in just the sport of running.”—Grayson Murphy, professional runner for Saucony, 4x US Champion | 2x World Champion Table of ContentsPart I. Sustain Your Runner’s Mind and BodyChapter 1. Play the Long GameChapter 2. Bolster Your ConfidenceChapter 3. Clear Out the ClutterChapter 4. Focus on Sustainable StrengthChapter 5. Reduce Injury RiskChapter 6. Explore Your SurroundingsChapter 7. Replenish Your BodyPart II. Sustain Your Running CommunityChapter 8. Find Your PlaceChapter 9. Give BackChapter 10. Consider ActivismPart III. Sustain Our PlanetChapter 11. Encourage Sustainable EventsChapter 12. Be an Eco-Conscious TravelerChapter 13. Consume With CareChapter 14. Reduce, Reuse, RecycleChapter 15. Eat and Drink Responsibly

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Book SynopsisThe gripping memoir of a record-holding marathoner - now in paperback!Trade Review"There are faster and more decorated runners than Dick Beardsley, but probably none with a more compelling life story. You'll want to read this book in one big gulp, then return again and again for inspiration both on and off the roads." -New York Runner"In the long run, Beardsley's book is a winner." -Pioneer PressTable of ContentsContents Acknowledgements Introduction My Kind of Sport Getting My Hopes Up The Road to Boston The Boston Marathon A Change of Pace An Accident Happening The Toughest Race The Road to Recovery

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Book SynopsisOffers a collection of personal essays that portray the life of Catherine Doucette, a backcountry skier, horseback rider, and mountainee - roles that have resulted in adventures where she is often the only woman in a group of men.

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewA compelling account of one of the world's most enigmatic races, captured by an author fully in thrall * Michael Crawley, author of Out of Thin Air *The engrossing story of his fascination with, and multiple attempts to complete, the world’s most difficult ultramarathon race ... highly recommend * Frozen Ed Furtaw, the first person to finish the Barkley marathon *A wonderful, compelling read * Vassos Alexander *

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Book SynopsisAn unlikely marathoner finds her way through grief and into the untold history of women and running.Thirty-year-old Catriona Menzies-Pike defined herself in many ways: voracious reader, pub crawler, feminist, backpacker, and, since her parents' deaths a decade earlier, orphan. Runner was nowhere near the list. Yet when she began training for a half marathon on a whim, she found herself an instant convert. Soon she realized that running, a pace suited to the precarious labor of memory, was helping her to grieve the loss of her parents in ways that she had been, for ten messy years, running away from.           As Catriona excavates her own past, she also grows curious about other women drawn to running. What she finds is a history of repression and denial—running was thought to endanger childbearing, and as late as 1967 the organizer of the Boston Marathon tried to drag a woman off the course, telling her to get the hell out of my race—but also of incredible courage and achievement. As she brings to life the stories of pioneering athletes and analyzes the figure of the woman runner in pop culture, literature, and myth, she comes to the heart of why she's running, and why any of us do.

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Book SynopsisThe World Marathon Challenge—seven marathons on seven continents in seven days—is the ultimate race for adventurous runners. It tests the athletes to their limits, going from biting cold Antarctic conditions one day to dry desert heat another. To survive the onslaught of sensations—fear, fatigue, depression, elation—takes a special sort of determination and strength of will. Few would take on such a challenge, and fewer still would finish it. Relentless: Seven Marathons, Seven Continents, Seven Days is David Gething’s amazing story of his journey from a middle-aged couch potato to a World Marathon champion. Gething gives a deeply personal and candid view of what it is like to compete in one of the most demanding amateur sporting events on the planet, including the sacrifices made just to get to the start of the race and what it takes to win. He describes in detail each individual contest—originating in Antarctica and ending in Australia—and the physical, emotional, and psychological sides of this grueling stage race. Far from just depicting the event itself, Gething also delves into the interpersonal relationships, rivalries, and bonds that form on this adventure that is like no other. Featuring photographs taken during the event from Gething’s personal collection, and including private emails to and from the author and his family and friends, Relentless gives a truly unique and intimate view into the inner workings of this punishing ultra-endurance battle. Marathon runners, sporting enthusiasts, and anyone with a dream and a determination to succeed despite the odds will find Gething’s journey a fascinating and inspiring story.Trade ReviewIn 2007, the author’s pregnant wife pointed out that he was getting a little soft: too much bad food, not enough exercise, perhaps not quite the right role model for their soon-to-be-born child. Gething took her observation to heart and vowed to get into shape. He started running, eventually graduating to marathons, and, in 2015, he entered and won the very first World Marathon Challenge, which is just as hard as it sounds: seven full marathons in the space of a week in Antarctica, South America, North America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia. It sounds like an incredible ordeal, the kind of thing you wonder why anyone would subject himself to, and indeed that’s a big part of this memoir: the author explaining how and why he went, in the space of less than a decade, from an ordinary, out-of-shape guy to a world-class marathon runner. Full of interesting and surprising stories—it really was quite a journey, and it’s populated by an engaging cast of real-life characters—the book should appeal to runners of all kinds, from newbies to veterans. * Booklist *This is the autobiographical story of a man who transforms himself from a ‘middle-aged couch potato’ into an athlete who attempts to complete ‘seven marathons on seven continents in seven days.’ The book is organized into separate chapters for each marathon. . . .It is difficult to imagine undertaking such a grueling challenge, but the author's recollection of details and his thoughts throughout the seven events provide readers with an insight into the experience. There is no bravado one might expect from a recounting of an adventure of this scale. Instead, readers are provided with a narrative that is self-deprecating and honest. The author writes of when his wife confronts him about his drinking, smoking, and weight issues, which propel him to adopt a healthier lifestyle. Eventually this leads to his competing in increasingly grueling races that culminate in the events detailed in this book. Though it obviously recounts the story of the marathons, it is also an interesting story of how a man transformed himself from a sedentary and unhealthy person into a world-class marathoner. Summing Up: Recommended. All readers. * CHOICE *The ambition and dedication that David Gething demonstrates in his remarkable achievement shows that he has the true spirit of an IRONMAN: Anything is Possible with the right amount of dedication and commitment. -- Andrew Messick, CEO of IronmanA wonderfully told adventure about pushing your limits—for runners and non-runners alike. I couldn't put it down. -- John Ellis, Ultra RunnerDavid Gething has done an excellent job of capturing the essence of the event—the characters, courses, logistics, the internal dialogues and doubts, the issues and ethics and, in the end, the sheer magnitude of it all. Yet, like Ultraman, despite its length and relatively small number of competitors, Gething draws the reader into the art and heart of what it means to be a champion. Gething translates the nuances of such a multi-day challenge into an exciting finale both on and off the pages of the book. I was totally impressed and engrossed. An excellent read—I would totally recommend the book. -- Steve King, Ironman, Ultraman, and Ultramarathon legendWhen David first approached me about racing the 7 marathons in 7 days on 7 continents challenge, I first wondered how it was even possible. But then I also realized that David is one of those special athletes with the physical strength to handle the punishment that would need to be endured—and even more importantly, the mental strength to stay focused and keep pushing right to the end no matter how much suffering he would have to endure. -- Nigel Gray, elite professional triathlete and coach, NRG Performance TrainingTable of ContentsACKNOWLEDGMENTS INTRODUCTION: The Story of the Beginning Chapter 1: THE STARTING LINE Chapter 2: MARATHON 1: ANTARCTICA: Union Glacier: A Trial byFire in the Coldest Place on Earth Chapter 3: MARATHON 2: SOUTH AMERICA: Punta Arenas, Chile: The Shakedown Chapter 4: MARATHON 3: NORTH AMERICA: Miami, United States of America: The Forging of the Alliance Chapter 5: MARATHON 4: EUROPE: Madrid, Spain: The Painful Test Chapter 6: MARATHON 5: AFRICA: Marrakech, Morocco: The Unraveling Chapter 7: MARATHON 6: ASIA: Dubai, United Arab Emirates: When to Win Alone Would Have Been a Loss Chapter 8: MARATHON 7: OCEANIA: Sydney, Australia: The Final Showdown EPILOGUE APPENDIX: The Final Standings INDEX ABOUT THE AUTHOR

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Book Synopsis26.2: Marathon Stories is an unprecedented visual and literary tour of the marathon throughout historyThe marathon is the most popular independent athletic event in the world, with over a million people set to enter one this year and another 50 million cheering them on from the sidelines. This glorious volume is the first book to set the marathon on the large world stage and examine the historic and universal appeal of this ultimate individual challenge.Hundreds of powerful images by such renowned photographers as Helmut Newton and Susan Meiselas, along with personal reminiscences from many well-known marathoners, capture the endless hours of practice and the overwhelming rush of emotion at crossing the finish line. Examining the marathon through the lenses of history, philosophy, sociology, athletics, pop culture, fashion, and science, the book salutes the determination and courage of those who willingly push themselves to test their personal best.

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Book SynopsisIn 2007, after collapsing on a practice field at the Nike campus, champion marathoner Alberto Salazar's heart stopped beating for 14 minutes. Over the crucial moments that followed, rescuers administered CPR to feed oxygen to his brain and EMTs shocked his heart eight times with defibrillator paddles. He was clinically dead. But miraculously, Salazar was back at the Nike campus coaching his runners just nine days later.Salazar had faced death before, but he survived that and numerous other harrowing episodes thanks to his raw physical talent, maniacal training habits, and sheer will, as well as—he strongly believes—divine grace.In 14 Minutes, Salazar chronicles in spellbinding detail how a shy, skinny Cuban-American kid from the suburbs of Boston was transformed into the greatest marathon runner of his era. For the first time, he reveals his tempestuous relationship with his father, a former ally of Fidel Castro; his early running life in high school with the Greater Boston Track Club; his unhealthy obsession to train through pain; the dramatic wins in New York, Boston, and South Africa; and how surviving 14 minutes of death taught him to live again.Trade Review“14 Minutes is an inspirational account of a man who has fought with the Grim Reaper and won. Since he put on his first pair of running shoes, Alberto Salazar has been defying the odds. Through his memoir, people have the privilege to get to know this truly great man and walk away with a renewed appreciation for life.” —Lance Armstrong, cancer survivor and 7-time Tour de France champion“A World Record holder who prided himself on his focus, inner drive, and admitted obsession with detail almost loses a race he never thought he'd enter: the one against time. How and why did Alberto survive for 14 minutes with no pulse? His quest to intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually answer these questions gave me a wonderful glimpse inside the mind of this elite marathoner.” —Frank Shorter, Olympic gold medalist, marathon, 1972 “Alberto Salazar has lived a remarkable life—two lives, actually—and this engrossing book does justice to them both, knitting miraculous victories with mysterious declines, and the blind ferocity of competition with the clarity of death. It is a story about running, but it is also about faith, grit, and the importance of chasing something larger than ourselves.” —David Willey, editor-in-chief, Runner’s World“I've known Alberto Salazar since he was a high school runner, but 14 Minutes opened my eyes to who he really is, what he values most, and why he aimed so high. I always felt Alberto had ‘heart' and this book proves it. It's a terrific read!” —Bill Rodgers, Boston and New York City Marathon champion“A dramatic account of the risks and rewards of top-level long-distance running.” —Kirkus Reviews

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Book SynopsisToday, millions of women and girls around the world enjoy running and entering races. It wasn’t always so:* In 1961, when Julia Chase edged to the start of a Connecticut 5-miler, officials tried to push her off the road. * At the 1966 Boston Marathon, Roberta Gibb hid behind a forsythia bush, worried that police might arrest her. * The next year at Boston, Kathrine Switzer was assaulted mid-race by a furious race organizer. * In the mid-60s, Indianapolis high schooler Cheryl Bridges was told not to run anywhere near the boys’ track team because she might “distract” them. * When Charlotte Lettis signed up for the University of Massachusetts cross-country team in the fall of 1971, she was told to use the men’s locker room.* A few years later in coastal Maine, young Joan Benoit would stop her workouts to pretend she was picking roadside flowers, embarrassed that her neighbors might spot her running.First Ladies of Running tells the inspiring stories of these and other fiercely independent runners who refused to give up despite the cultural and sports barriers they faced. Legends such as Doris Brown, Francie Larrieu, Mary Decker, Jackie Hansen, Miki Gorman, and Grete Waitz are chronicled by Runner’s World editor Amby Burfoot. Burfoot even runs the 1994 Marine Corps Marathon with Oprah Winfrey, whose successful finish opened the floodgates for other women runners. First Ladies of Running is a beautiful and long-overdue tribute to the pioneers of women’s running, and a gift of empowerment for female runners everywhere.

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