Build Your Running Body

by Melissa Breyer, Thomas Schwartz, Melissa Breyer

“The best running book ever.” —Bob Anderson, founder of Runner’s World Whether you're a miler or an ultramarathoner, if you want a fit, fast, and injury-resistant running body, there's a better way to train than relentlessly pursuing mileage. This easy-to-use workout manual draws on the latest research in running physiology to target all the components that go into every stride—including muscles, connective tissue, cardiovascular fitness, energy production, the nervous system, hormones, and the brain. With the breakthrough whole-body training program in Build Your Running Body , runners will improve their times, run longer and more comfortably, and reduce injury.

With more than 150 workouts— from weightlifting and cross-training to resistance exercises and plyometrics—fine-tuned to individual skill levels and performance goals,

• 393 photos that make it easy to follow every step of every workout
• 10 training programs to help runners of all levels integrate the total-body plan into their daily routines
• Interviews with leading runners, exercise scientists, and coaches— learn how elite runners train today
• Race strategy for the crucial weeks leading up to the competition and through to the finish line
• Exercises to prevent injury and rehabilitate common running ailments
• Seasoned insight on barefoot running, the pros and cons of stretching, and other hot-button topics
• Nutrition guidance on carbs, proteins, fats, and weight loss
• More than 30 recipes to speed recovery and cement fitness gains
• Beginners' guidelines every step of the way
• Valuable tips on proper apparel, tracking your progress, and more!

Genres: Nonfiction, Fitness, Health, Sports, Reference, Science, Self Help

448 pages, Paperback

First published May 20, 2014

Reviews

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

unique approach to the subject, organized mainly by body part/process (muscles, connective tissue, hormones......) and how to train each. There is a section on putting it all together, and charts of suggested training programs including supplementary [non-running] work such as what stretches and resistance training to do when, but more than most training books they try to put you in a position to understand what you are doing and why as opposed to just following a cookbook.

Heavy emphasis on injury prevention, and if that fails management. I have had most of the common running injuries and been to physical therapists many times, but I still learned some good new ones I'll be trying for my current battle with shin splints.

Takes stands on some divisive issues [minimalist/barefoot enthusiasts may not be happy with the discussion of that one, for instance] but always in the context of citing evidence, and when the evidence is contradictory or inconclusive they acknowledge that and recommend a tentative approach one might take until greater clarification appears.

Coauthors Thomas ("Tinman") Schwartz and Melissa Breyer are listed on the book itself, though not for some reason on this goodreads image I see as I type this review, but there is a consistent voice to the writing, recognizable from Pete's erstwhile website Younger Legs for Older Runners and his articles in Running Times and message board posts. You will find in the book many of his greatest hits (there are no great workouts, only great training programs; it's not the work you can do but the work you can recover from; you should finish a track workout knowing you could have done at least one more repetition) as well as his terrific sense of humor.

The decision to illustrate absolutely everything being suggested with photos was inspired. Occasionally this is unnecessary [here's what jogging looks like], but particularly for the stretches and strengthening exercises it's invaluable in clarifying the instructions.

It doesn't unfortunately come with a money-back guarantee that you'll match SoCal Pete's incredible accomplishments as the fastest American M50 at 5,000 and 10,000 meters, American x-c Master of the year last year, oldest person to run under 15:00 for 5k, and on and on, but for getting the most out of your own potential this is a great addition to the running/training library.

[Kaido · Rating 5 out of 5]

if you have just started running, then i suggest to read "Running for beginners" book. This book is more for people who have had at least one full season, meaning that they have participated in 5K and 10K races. They have already some kind of routine going on, they have got some good periods and bad periods and now looking to improve their speed, technique and nutrition. This book has them all. good exercises and also in-dept pace tables.
Also under discussion is different topics like some supplements, are they good or not, waht to use, when to use etc. Also got information about food and how diabetes occurs (didn't know that before).

[Diana . · Rating 5 out of 5]

A complex and complete book, from details about running and cross-training to food recommendations and recipes. While I skipped some technical information, I found it useful to learn why strength training is important, what types of exercises help avoid specific injuries.

[Nicholas Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is truly the complete running guide for runners of all levels. It had everything from a deep scientific breakdown of how your body works when running to specific training plans and useful workout tips. have now used a couple of the training plans. I can say that they are complete and effective. The only other thing I can ask this book is a specific mile training plan, but other than that this books wealth of knowledge is essential for all runners and I highly recommend it.

[Lauri Ehrenpreis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best running book I have read so far

[Lydia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shins: the bane of my running existence. I picked up this book with injury prevention in mind, and, well, we'll have to wait and see if it delivers.

This book is technical, detailed, and comprehensive to the point of being overwhelming. You could read this cover-to-cover (and gain a lot of value from it!) but, in the interest of time, I eventually turned to the running schedules section of the book and built out a running, lifting, and stretching routine from there.

I would recommend this book to runners who want to target very specific things like form, nutrition, musculoskeletal components, pacing, heart rate, breathing... I say specific, but really this book offers just about everything you could hope for in a running book. I liked it so well, I bought a copy for my running partner.

[Cara Ridden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the focus on injury prevention and taking it slow. My running knowledge is over 10 years old now but I felt that this covered a lot of my previous knowledge and also gave me more to work with when thinking about running. I'm going to start one of their beginner programs soon so we'll see how it goes when you put it to practice!

[Ariel (BookHermit) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 I was looking for something with more training plans but the book is a solid, straightforward, science-backed overview of the sport of running. I think the photographs of running-related exercises (warm-up, stretching, injury prevention) will prove useful this season. It will be nice to finally have an all in one reference for running terms and techniques.

[Jigar Brahmbhatt · Rating 4 out of 5]

very helpful and practical!

[Jelena · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are like myself and appreciate sciency stuff, enjoy diving deep into the tiniest parts of your running body and love practical books with academic approach, you will definitely find this book very useful. The book comes around all systems involved into getting you running and growing fitter and stronger while resting. You will get some serous insights into your muscles, hormones, blood, nerves, GI systems. You don't need to be a scientist to understand the stuff but some previous knowledge would be an advantage. Apart from being a good all around theoretical book on running, it definitely has a practical side to it offering running tables for various distances, nutritional tips and recipes, strength training and flexibility programs as well as a list of major runners injuries and suggestions for treating them. All in all a well written and useful book for runners of every level.

[Lauren Simmons · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve read a lot of running books in the last year and a half, but thankfully this one was different. It’s organized differently than most, going through the different components to a running body, including nutrition, actual body parts, training plans, racing, and more. It was easy to skip over parts that seemed too technical or irrelevant, and to get to the good stuff, mostly the training plans and the discussion of racing. Some of the information it was stuff I’ve read and other books recently as well, but overall definitely worth a read for anyone looking For performance improvements in their running.

[Lucija · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very thorough guide for a runner. It explains all the details of a running training program. In that way it enables you to make your own informed choice. It also examines physiological changes and processes that occur during training so you can understand the purpose of every part of the training program.
3 months of training with the advice from the book made me a better runner. Too bad that I managed to run only one race from my plan for this spring before they cancelled the rest due to the pandemic...

[Milan Sillik · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books about running I've ever seen, with Jack Daniels running formula.

It is excellent - it goes in depth, lot of science, yet written in a clear, easy-t0-read and concise style and I finally have a feeling I understand it all :) On top of that, I just love the book's formatting and style. It is both for hobby runners, and also for people who take running seriously, and totally worth it.

[Tenessa Martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had an amazing amount of information, probably far more than I really care about. I read this book to see how to treat my body because I run quite often. It had several running plans in there and how the body actually works when it is running. A lot of the information was useful, there was just so much of it!

[Lee Murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent resource and comprehensive resource for runners. Some books concentrate on style or technique, other on nutrition. This book puts the entire scope of running and training in one resource.

It can be read, but you’ll still be using it long after you’ve finished reading it.

Required reading for anyone wanting to be a serious runner.

[tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolute wealth of information

This book was an absolute wealth of information. I have been reading running books for information for a while now and this was in a league of its own! I would recommend this book to any runner especially the beginning runner.

[paul covert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good for information

Got this from Kindle unlimited and after reading the first few pages decided to purchase it. Has lots of useful information that I will use over and over again so I just kept highlighting as I went long

[David Tyree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent!

I'm not looking to compete, but what I was looking for was a book to help me improve my running. I've read quite a few fitness books and by far this is now near the top of my list for comprehensive fitness books.

[Allan Martell]

I actually didn't like it that much. The book is a collection of articles rather than a cohesive narrative. It took me some work to navigate through the material. Perhaps a more comprehensive index by subject would have helped here.

[Larry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book combines latest research studies with practical experiences, useful and insightful. And some ideas presented in the book is mind-boggling. Traditional books about running pales in comparsion with it.

[Francesc · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thorough guide for runners of all levels. The science of running is included throughout and easy to understand. Included detailed plans for stretching and resistance training with pictures. This book exceeded my expectations.

[Terry · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not for me. Too much info I don’t want. The running schedules are either too intense or not enough no middle ground and too much text to get bogged down in. I just put my kit on and run for fun and mental health I don’t need all this content.

[Paul Arredondo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this while as a distance athlete running at the D1 level. Helped me understand lots of concepts as to the way we trained and practiced. I also personally used the runner 360 workout in the book in the summers for strength and it helped get me fit!

[Lynette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! I've used so many principles and workouts from it for my cross country team. The book stays in my backpack all season.

[Nicholas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for any athlete

I bought this book to help my son with high school cross country. It did that and more. I've been a weight lifter for 22 years and I would say I have a better than average understanding of the human body. This book helped me to get to the next level of understanding. Not only did it help my son in running but it helped me fix my back pain by pointing out exercises to correct my problem. I recommend this book to anyone involved in fitness from running to powerlifting.

[Kaitlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best instructional running book I have read

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is extremely fact-heavy and science-filled. It would be great for someone who really wants to understand the mechanics of running.

[David James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Took my running to a new level. An essential read if you want to get more in depth with the science of running.

[Jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

So much good information packed in to this book.

[Ristyawan Mubarok · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gives you comprehensive material to become athletes. If you just want to do running just for hobby you may pick some part of the material presented on this book.