readers who run discussion

Hello!

I was looking for a group of runners to chat with in goodreads and could not find a group about running, so just thought I'd start my own! If you have found it and joined--welcome!

I am definitely a penguin/back of packer, but I really enjoy it, and always feel better when I've worked out. I have done the Grand Rapids half marathon twice, and the Sunburst half marathon once. My husband is more serious runner--doing the marathon equivalents to my halfs, as well as the Chicago Marathon.

I prefer to read things that make me laugh, so Stephen Fry, Chuck Klosterman, and Paul Feig are big faves, but I do read just about anything.

What kind of running do you do & what kind of reading do you prefer?

Hmmm - readers who shuffle along? I've done some triathlons (Vineman Aquabike Half Iron, Pacific Grove Olympic, Benaroya & Escape from the Rock sprints) and fun 5Ks (the furry 5K w/ dogs is my fave), but my half marathons have been strictly penguinish, walk-jog affairs, and the marathons (Vancouver, Portland) walk-only. Some day I hope to walk NYC, which my wife has run.

As for my reading, (I'm terribly behind on Good Reads) I read a lot of books that are dark, and a lot of books that are odd, and some that are both.

Ah yes! I do the run/walk thing when I do half marathons also.

I'm a penguin, too--a walk/runner. I've done one full (Nike) and a 39.3 (Avon). I was training for the San Antonio, but I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to go to that one.

As for reading, when I'm not reading for class, I'm rereading classics and some newer fiction/non-fiction. Really, I read just about anything.

My wife and I are getting ready to run the Big Sur Half Marathon in a few weeks - should be good. I'm reading Haruki Murakami's "What I Talk About When I Talk About Running," which is a nice spare bunch of musings on the running life - runners will like it, I think. What I Talk About When I Talk About Running

Hi! I am also a runner/jogger! I have done a half marathon but have recently just stuck to 5 K's.

I read mostly fiction, and always have a few books going at once!

Greetings from Baltimore and from another back-of-the-packer! I've done 5 half marathons, 2 fulls; just did Baltimore Half 3 weeks ago and will be doing the Philly Half on Nov.23. I'm also training for the Disney full, which I'm super excited about! When I'm able to stay awake at night to read a book before bed, I tend to prefer fiction, although I've been enjoying memoirs in the past year. Happy running!

Good luck, Monica! IF I ever do a full marathon, Disney does sound like a fun one!

Hello!
I run on my high school's track and cross country team. I would love to one day run an ultra or at least a marathon.

I'm a huge fan of fiction, especially mystery novels. Recently I've gotten more interested in reading more historic and "classic" types of books.

Good luck with the winter running! Watch for ice.

Howdy! I'm Dave. I have only recently gotten into the running thing, but I'm training for my first marathon (my first +5k race - although I'll do a 10k before my actual marathon day). I'm going to run the Country Music Marathon in Nashville. Anyone else?
I found this group because I'm reading Haruki Murakami's "What I Talk About When I Talk About Running," which I see others are reading, as well. Spare is a good descriptor for the memoir, but Murakami's writing is beautiful, even when discussing technical ideas like running. I recommend it to anyone who runs (or writes - or reads, for that matter).

Anyway, just wanted to say hi, so... Hi!

Dave wrote: "Howdy! I'm Dave. I have only recently gotten into the running thing, but I'm training for my first marathon (my first +5k race - although I'll do a 10k before my actual marathon day). I'm going to ..."


Hi, Dave. Have an awesome time at the CMM. I ran it in 2008 with Team in Training's Chicago chapter. The weather somewhat cooperated--we started the morning with a torrential downpour, replete with thunder and lightning--but luckily it mostly cleared by guntime. The course is challenging with several substantial hills and many out-and-backs, but I'm sure you'll enjoy the camaraderie. Murakami's WITAWITAR is on my list to read, as well. Rock on and happy running!

Thanks, Erin! I'm really enjoying the group, and I'm looking forward to the race! I've been working some hills into my training (as much as I can; Richmond is pretty flat), so hopefully it will pay off! Either way, I'm sure it will be a blast!

The Murakami book is great!

I run cross country and track and field in highschool right now, but next year I will run for the University of Missouri. I am a middle distance runner (800m and 1600m).

My mom intoduced me to goodreads and this is the first group I've joined so far....

Hi,I'm Kelly. I've been running for more than twenty years (but I run very, very slowly). I have run two half-marathons but never a marathon. Bailey, who recently joined this group, is my daughter (she runs very fast!!- must be from her dad) :)!

Hello, I'm Matt. I've been running for a little over two years and I race regularly - anything from 10k upwards. I recently ran my first two marathons (London and Edinburgh) and I'm training for another in the autumn. I'm a mid-pack runner but gradually getting quicker.

I've only read a couple of running related books.. London Marathon, The The History of the Greatest Race On Earth is a good one

Hi I'm tanya
I've been running since I had my first child 13 years ago as a way of keeping fit with very little time. My runs are usually first thing in the morning before anyone else needs to be woken up and is my special time. I've done 2 half marathons and a few 10k races but haven't done any for a while. Looking forward to getting inspiration and tips from this group.

Hi, I've run 210 races in 19 years of running, although I haven't run any marathons since New York City in 2002. Then I stopped for five years and put on a few pounds, but I was able to lose it fairly easily. Now I try to walk or run nearly every day. The walking helps me avoid injuries. Yesterday I ran a 5K and I have a 10K coming up next weekend.

My favorite depiction of running in literary fiction is in chapter five of Man Gone Down, a novel by Michael Thomas which was chosen as one of the 10 Best Books of 2007 by the editors of the NY Times. It also won the 2009 International Dublin IMPAC Literary Award.

The main character is estranged from his wife and living in Brooklyn across the East River from Lower Manhattan. The excerpt begins as he goes out for a nighttime run through the streets of Brooklyn. As he approaches the bridge he has flashbacks to the World Trade Center disaster ten months earlier.

p.100:

http://tinyurl.com/yko3bbf

The second excerpt begins as he's crossing the bridge.

p.110:

http://tinyurl.com/yfwcvvr


The most entertaining book about running I've read is Boston Marathon: The First Century of the World's Premier Running Event by Tom Derderian. it's the updated centennial edition of Boston Marathon: The History of the World's Premier Running Event, published 3 years earlier, which is the edition I have. Both are out-of-print but available for a few dollars at websites like Abebooks.

It's a 600-page history of the race which devotes 3 or 4 pages to each year's contest and includes the top finishers and interesting summaries of both the men's and women's races. You can open it to any page and read an interesting story.

Here's the goodreads link:

http://tinyurl.com/yl5kfnx

The first running author whose work really appealed to me was George Sheehan, a Red Bank, New Jersey cardiologist who had an interest in philosophy and the American Transcendentalists. I read his books Running and Being and This Running Life.

Although I haven't read him in years, I found a website containing some of his shorter essays.

http://www.georgesheehan.com/

I also like George Sheehan- I read some of his last articles from Runners World and I have one of his books but I can't remember the title. He definitely had a thoughtful approach to running that was very appealing.

The Runner's Guide to the Meaning of Life by Amby Burfoot is also a thoughtful take on the sport. I especially enjoyed his views on losing. My daughter is an elite college runner and I have passed on some of his thoughts to her as she adjusts from high school state champion to middle of the pack college runner.

Thanks, I'll keep an eye out for the Amby Burfoot book. I recently downloaded his story about winning the Boston Marathon in 1968. It's called "Running Scared," and it's available on iTunes, but you can read it for free on the Runner's World website. I put it on my iPod and saved it for a cross country 5K, hoping that it might inspire me in the late stages of the race. I don't think it worked, but I did OK anyway.

I'll look for that article, thanks!!

Becoming a high school state champion seems like an almost unbelievable accomplishment to me. I really like Kara Goucher. I sometimes use her Nike coaching mix, "Kara Goucher's Endurance Boost," which is the same workout as Lance Armstrong's "Run Longer," only with different music.

Hi, I am Ram from Bombay, India. My two passions are running and reading and I have run 6 half-marathons all in Bombay and graduating to a full this year. I have been running for around 14 years now, getting more scientic in training as the years pass by. I run throughout the year in all seasons.

I will look for Kara's Endurance Boost mix,we "met" Kara at an event and Bailey got her autograph. She is gracious and nice in public appearances so hopefully a nice person as well as a great athlete.

Ram wrote: "Hi, I am Ram from Bombay, India. My two passions are running and reading and I have run 6 half-marathons all in Bombay and graduating to a full this year. I have been running for around 14 years no..."

Welcome, Ram!! I am from Texas in the US. I run mostly on country roads and on a mountain bike trail. Where do you run (ie, in the city, parks, countryside?)?

Hello,

I am Susan from western Virginia (USA). I love to run! It is the one time during my day that is MY time. I find that my best ideas come to me on the run.

I used to compete in 5k and 10k races, then moved up to half and full marathons. After running the Marine Corp Marathon in 1993, I switched to triathlons. I remained competitive until I returned to college full-time. Now I just run for fun!

Welcome, Susan! I agree about the best ideas coming to you on a run - that happens to me a lot out on the trails!

Thanks everybody, I usually run on the roads, but weekends inside a park that has its ups and downs and a beautiful place to run. Sometimes on the Marine Bay overlooking the Arabian Sea, which is also a great place to run. Have to catch up on some of the running books. Presently reading "Brain Training for Runners" by Matt Fitgerald. Yesterday, i was watching the movie "Spirit of the Marathon" which featured the 2005 Chicago marathon won by Deena Kastor. Cheers and happy running/reading.

So glad to see this group finally up and 'running'. I received a copy of "Born to Run" for Xmas and have yet to start it. Based on these postings, I think I'll give it a read.

Hi, Im reagan! Im only a kid but i have run many 5k's! Well nto jsut many, 23!

Hi, I'm Carrie - a 50 year old runner wanna-be. Training for a half-marathon on April 2, 2011. Have only done 5ks so far. The three things I love to do are read, run, and ride (bicycles). This sounds like a group for me! Always looking for inspiring books on running or cycling.

Hi Carrie, are you going throu any marathon training program - there are many that is available on the net - i have tried Hal Higdon's program - it is really good. All the best for your first half-marathon.

I am doing one on april 23rd.

Carrie wrote: "Hi, I'm Carrie - a 50 year old runner wanna-be. Training for a half-marathon on April 2, 2011. Have only done 5ks so far. The three things I love to do are read, run, and ride (bicycles). This ..."

You sound a lot like me! :) I have read a lot of books about running. Kathrne Switzer's Marathon Women was one of the latest ones I've read. It was great. Also, Burn to Run, Ultra Marathon Man and Run Like a Mother were favorites. My husband is currently reading Dean Karnes' latest book and he keeps laughing out loud. I'll have to read that next.

I just finished reading "Unbroken". It's about Olympic runner Louie Zamperini's WWII experience. Most amazing book I have ever read!

Happy Running, I mean Reading! :)

Jill wrote: "Carrie wrote: "Hi, I'm Carrie - a 50 year old runner wanna-be. Training for a half-marathon on April 2, 2011. Have only done 5ks so far. The three things I love to do are read, run, and ride (bi..."

Jill, I loved "Born to Run"! Also really liked "Chi Running". Is the book your hubbie is reading called "Run"? I'll have to check out some of Kathrne Switzer's books. Thanks for the welcome!

Yes. "Run" Can't wait to start it.

Hubby ran Napa Valley marathon last Sunday. Afterwards, he said he was done marathoning and would stick to shorter races. (I didn't believe him).

Two days ago he mused, "I wonder if I could run further than 26.2? Maybe I'll try a 50k." LOL!!! I knew it! :)

Hi, I just found this group while looking for books on running. I've been running for about 16 years, and I love to race, but stick to short stuff (5-10 km). Unlike most runners I don't seem to have an urge to do longer stuff, though who knows, maybe it'll come some day.

My favourite running book is "Once a Runner". I find that reading about running helps keep me motivated on the days I don't really feel like going out for a run (i.e. the entire winter...)

p.s. I added a few books to the shelf :)

Gina,

Welcome to the group. Unfortunately, it's pretty quiet around here. Not sure why, but you are the first person to post in quite a while!
:)

Welcome, Gina!

Once A Runner was a fantastic novel! Have you read the sequel? I haven't. I think I read an excerpt, but never got around to reading the entire thing. I think my personal favorite running book is Bowerman and The Men of Oregon, the biography of Bill Bowerman, Steve Prefontaine's track coach and co-founder of Nike. Not so much interested in the Nike angle, but a great read.

Anwyay, happy running, happy reading!
Dave

Erin wrote: "Dave wrote: "Howdy! I'm Dave. I have only recently gotten into the running thing, but I'm training for my first marathon (my first +5k race - although I'll do a 10k before my actual marathon day). ..."

For what it's worth, four years later, I also ran CMM with Team In Training (Richmond, Virginia Chapter). It was a great day, but HOT! We were told to expect temps in the mid- to upper 60s. Race day topped out at 88! But it was a blast, and I have since run the Richmond Marathon, the Richmond Half, and the Virginia Beach Half. I'm running Richmond again this year, as well as...I don't know. How about yourself?
Thanks for the kind words (again, way too late, but still). Cheers!
Dave

Thanks for the welcome guys :)

I haven't read the sequel to Once a Runner--in fact, I only found out it existed after joining this group. I will probably get around to it eventually.

I wonder if I'm the only person in the group who isn't a marathoner... :)

What a great group. Can't believe I missed it until now. I'm an author and I added my book -- RESOLVE -- to the list(the publisher is releasing it now), but if anyone finds this to be a breach of group etiquette, take it down. I hate marketing anyway. I'm still fairly new to Goodreads and I'm so glad there is a group of running readers!
J.J. Hensley
www.hensley-books.com
https://www.facebook.com/hensleybooks

Hey I'm Celeste! I run cross country and track as a freshman, but I also am training for the Mad City Half Marathon. I want to run a full marathon by the time I graduate!

Hi Celeste! Welcome!

Also, best of luck with your cc/track season, and your marathon training!

Cheers!

If anyone is running the Pittsburgh Marathon this weekend, stop by and see me at the Race Expo on Sat., May 4th. I'll be signing copies of RESOLVE at the Mojo Running and Multisport tables.

Just reading through comments below. Someone mentioned George Sheehan but without a title - possibly Running And Being. I am the proud owner of a first edition paperback version of this very old book.
Someone else shouted "the Murakami book is good" and this is probably "What I talk about when I talk about running" by Haruki Murakami which is a philosophy type book and includes his lone marathon from Athens to the town of Marathon. For those interested in doing it the correct way (Marathon to Athens) I did this as my tenth and final marathon as something special. Be warned though that it is all uphill apart from the last 10k.

I found this group looking for some books on running.

I started running to lose weight and have, in the last 3 years run 10 Oly Tri's a couple of Sprints, a few 5K and 10K races, one 13.1 and one 70.3 this last May. I just passed a(nother) kidney stone this week and have basically been burned out after that long race. But I miss the running, the "feel" of being active and in shape.

What books do ya'll recommend for both healthy diet for (Tri)athletes and how to get motivated to get back into it. I've enjoyed reading your comments and searching through the book list--any specific suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks!
DD

I am not quite a Penguin, yet, but I was once a bit of a Road Runner (Accelerati incredibilus) and if you remember those cartoons you are as old as I!
Thanks to the British Army sending me running over mountains and back carrying my own weight in kit the knees suffered in the damp of England, but here in the Philippines they have improved a mite.
I used to read a lot but now I write a lot and the reading is for research. Running is great for writers block, even if I am not as fast as I once was. I have a few hundred titles I have read over the years though. SF, Fantasy, Military History and every single Louis Lamour Western I could get my hands on back in my teens.

Anyway, I am saying hello to you all. Coleen I have already met and perhaps I can shake hands with some of the rest of you on the road one day.

Hi all, I found this group after searching for groups on running.

I started running to lose weight about 4 years ago and now run everything from 5kms to 110 mile ultras :) I even set up a podcast about trail running my favourite form of running.

Here is a list to my running shelf. Will see how I add some of them to the group shelf?

Tim