If you are anything like us, it’s easy to accumulate books.  Read them (or not), put them on a bookcase and let them gather dust. 

So, whilst we have written many blogs on the best running books out there, this time we wanted to come up with practical books that would help your running (and your life more generally).  Ideally such books should live on your kitchen table. That way you are much more likely to dip into them and benefit from the very useful information out there to help you enjoy your running and life even more.

Food

Go Faster Food – Kate Percy

Whilst most of us runners are interested in eating healthily, it’s very easy to fall back to our limited repertoire of recipes.  Go Faster Food contains hundreds of exciting recipes (approved by a nutritionist) that are equally suited to both elite and recreational runners as well as other types of athletes. Our personal favourite is Go Faster Porridge with Blueberries, Toasted Walnuts and Honey.

Eat Yourself Healthy – Dr Megan Rossi, The Gut Health Doctor 

Finally, we’ve found a book about gut health published by an expert, Dr Megan Rossi.  This book contains both tips on how to assess your own gut health as well as easy, practical recipes. Improving your own gut health is strongly linked to better health, sleep and well-being. There is a great recipe for kale chips, that are a healthy snacking alternative to regular crisps.

Flexibility 

Becoming a Supple Leopard – Dr Kelly Starrett

So many of us carry out Strength & Conditioning exercises incorrectly and end up doing more damage than good.  If you really want to understand the right way to squat and/or resolve common symptoms (low back pain, knee pain etc) as well as stiff muscles, this is the book for you.

The Stretching Bible – Lexie Williamson 

If you don’t have time or interest in yoga or Pilates classes, but still want to become more flexible, this book is your solution. It is arranged by sport, so running is one of 20 different sports covered here.  It is also arranged by anatomy, so you can easily just focus on one area of your body. 

Life Hacks

Atomic Habits – James Clear

Most people think that if you want to change your life, you need to think big. However, this book demonstrates that real change can actually come from the compound effect of many small decisions – whether that’s to rise 5 minutes earlier every day, do a couple of push ups or read just one more page than usual.  

The Golden Rules – Bob Bowman

This approach is arguably at odds with the philosophy of Atomic Habits (reviewed above). Written by Bob Bowman, best known Michael Phelps’ coach, The Golden Rules presents ten concepts that Bowman has employed used throughout his career. The book is indeed about dreaming big, visualisation, becoming more risk tolerant and adopting a mindset of intense dedication to the area in which you seek to triumph.

If you've got a book that's really helped your running (or lifestyle), please email claire@iffleyroad.com and we'll add it to our blog.  Thanks!

Our favourite Go Faster porridge has fuelled many a Sunday long run