By Coach Adolfo Salgueiro

We all run because we love it. If not, we would be doing something else. But there is always a secondary reason why we do so, which is usually as powerful as the aforementioned “because we love it”. It could be health, weight control, self-improvement, social interaction, test against yourself, getting away from a chaotic life, not murdering your boss, etc.

Running is as simple as it gets: one foot in front of the other… Go! But in order to realize that secondary reason, an inquisitive and relentless mind should be always on the lookout for additional knowledge. Information that will allow for understanding of what is happening within the body, the story of those who came before us, the newest training techniques, the latest gear improvements, etc. Even if you have a coach to guide you through the process, it is always good to be prepared, to be inquisitive and ask the right questions. Problem solved: grab a book.

Through my years as an avid reader I have consumed scores of running books. I am aware I haven’t read everything and still have important books that are still in my “to read” pile.

I compiled a list of 20 running books that I have read, and, in no particular order, I recommend to my readers. Here are the first ten. The remaining 10 will be published next week. Click here to check them out.

1 – Born to Run, by Christopher McDougall: An indispensable read for anyone interested in understanding how the human body was built to run, told through superb storytelling.

2 – Kings of the Road, By Cameron Stracher: How the first running boom came to be after Frank Shorter’s Olympic gold medal in 1972 and the birth of the New York City Marathon as we know it.

3 – The Pedestriennes, by Harry Hall: Before the Boston Marathon and ultrarunning, long distance walking was the craze. This book captures the uniqueness of this story.

4 – Pre, by Tom Jordan: A basic biography of the amazing Steve Prefontaine and his short, yet intense life. Not the definitive biography but a good one for getting to know the man behind the legend.

5 – Run to Overcome, by Meb Keflezighi: Meb’s first autobiography guides you from his early life in Eritrea though his Olympic medal and other triumphs. It doesn’t include the latter portion of his career.

6 – My Life on the Run, Bart Yasso: An autobiography of one of the most influential runners of the last 50 years. Lots of cool and weird stories from a running icon.

7 – 26.2, by John Bryant: The story of the London 1908 Olympic Games, its protagonist and how the marathon distance was finally established.

8 – Rebound, by Carrie Jackson Cheadle & Cindy Kuzma: Eventually, most runners get injured. This book is an important read both before or during and injury.

9 – 14 Minutes, By Alberto Salazar: Regardless of what you may think of him after his suspension, his place in running history is undeniable and his story of life, death and life again is amazing.

10: The Science of Running, by Steve Magness: If you want to geek out and dig deep into the science of what happens inside your body when you train, this is the book for you.