These 5 Running Books Changed How I Run Forever

People often think there’s little more to running than just getting out the door and, well, running.

Articles and social media are good ways to learn, but books are the gold standard.

And the 5 books I’m going to talk about in this video/article completely changed how I train, race, and think about running.

These books are what turned me from a bang-average runner to a sub-3 marathoner, and even helped me win a few races, too.

SUSU Charity 10K, Dec 2024. 3rd place in the 5K.

I reckon every runner can benefit from reading these books, whether you’re just starting out or already winning races.

I’m also going to talk about the one book that, if you were could only read one running book ever, it would be this one - so make sure to stick around for that.

#1: Daniels’ Running Formula

First up — the absolute GOAT when it comes to running books: Daniels’ Running Formula by the late Jack Daniels.

This is probably the closest thing we have to a running textbook.

Daniels’ provides insights into general training principles, running physiology, and provides a framework for training using something called the VDOT system.

This system gives you a score based on recent race performances that can be used to figure out your training intensity — without getting fancy lab tests done to figure out our V̇O2 max, lactate threshold and all that jazz.

While all that might sound quite technical, this book is actually aimed at runners of all levels and all distances, whether you’re sub-elite or just starting out.

Since its release in ‘98 nearly 30 years ago, it’s become a staple in the running community.

#2: How Bad Do You Want It

Next up is How Bad Do You Want It by Matt Fitzgerald, a book about “running psychology” — bridging the gap between what you can physically do and what your brain will let you do.

In other words, this is the book that explains why you slow down when you don’t actually have to.

Fitzgerald argues that psychology may be just as important as physical training, and that by training your brain to handle discomfort better you can race better.

For example, he talks about the Audience Effect: people who are observed doing something often perform better at the task due to the pressure of having an audience.

Fitzgerald is one of the most respected authors in endurance sport, and I eat up pretty much everything he publishes. This book is especially good because it’s not a technical manual, it’s full of interesting stories that, if nothing else, will keep you entertained.

#3: Run Like a Pro, Even If You’re Slow

Third on the list is a personal favourite: Run Like a Pro, Even If You’re Slow.

This book’s core idea is that the approach runners take to training should be same whether you’re elite or beginner.

• Elites eat well, so should we.

• Elites strength train, so should we.

• Elites run slow to get fast, so should we.

You get the idea.

The book is another by Fitzgerald, and co-authored by Ben Rosario, the former coach of the HOKA NAZ Elite running team. So its written by people who know what they’re talking about.

This book is perfect for all levels, and a fantastic gateway into the world of running.

Run Like a Pro was a huge catalyst for me to get serious about running. Before I read this, I knew very little about the technicalities of running. This changed everything for me.

If you only read one running book, make it this.

#4: Running Rewired

Written by a legendary physiotherapist Jay Dicharry, our 4th book is Running Rewired. This book has become a bit of a staple in the running community.

It’s about all the auxiliary work that we need to do as runners to perform at our best.

But it’s about more than just simply stretching and hitting the gym. Running Rewired uses cutting edge of science to provide a system that will keep you fit, flexible, injury-free and help you perform better.

That’s a tall order, but it’s been working for me.

For example, we often focus on lifting heavy at the gym — if we’re doing any strength work at all.

But, as Dicharry puts it: a perfect toaster is useless if it’s not plugged in.

So, if you’re lifting, you’re building the perfect toaster. But without doing exercises to activate muscles properly — especially the glutes — you’re not plugging the toaster in.

In short, this book fixes how you move, not just how you train.

Since reading this, I’ve followed the “Running Rewired Plan” that is proposed in the book, and I’ve seen huge improvements in strength and flexibility.

If you’re feeling a bit lost around mobility, flexibility and strength work in the context of running, this book will help you out.

#5: Advanced Marathoning

Last on the list is a little more niche. Advanced Marathoning by Pete Pfitzinger is — shock — aimed specifically at marathoners.

And as far as I’m concerned, this is one of the best materials out there for, well, advanced marathon training.

Pfitzinger outlines structured plans, nutrition, auxiliary work, key workouts and more, all geared around optimising your marathon performance.

What stands out in his approach is the focus on high mileage, tempo, and threshold work, with surprisingly little emphasis on speed — aside from strides a few times a week and some touch-up V̇O2 max work later in training.

If you’re skeptical about giving up speed, I don’t blame you. I was too — but it worked for me after running 2:45:45 at Leiden Marathon last year.

If it’s your first marathon, or you’re not fussed about speed, this book probably isn’t worth picking up.

But if you have a decent number of years of speed behind you, and you’re looking to optimise your marathon times, this is the one.

Wrap-up

So, if I had to pick just one of these books to read, no doubt about it: it’s Run Like a Pro.

But each of these books has given me a different piece of the puzzle, and they’re all worth reading if you have the time and energy.