RunningAHEAD - Topic: Ultra books?

Katie H

Chicago winter running

posted: 12/6/2007 at 11:28 AM

Does anyone know any good, instructive books on Ultra marathons? I've read a few stories about certain races now (which were wonderful) but I've become very intrigued by the whole thing... I had wonderful coaches for 8 years in high school and college and have learned enough on my own to run marathons successfully and one 50K but I want to try something longer and it occurs to me that there's a lot I don't know about this next step. If anyone has any instructive book recommendations, I'm all ears! Thanks!

We must speak with all the humility that is appropriate to our limited vision, but we must speak. - MLK Jr.

Bonkin

posted: 12/6/2007 at 11:50 AM
modified: 12/6/2007 at 11:51 AM

Here's a snippet of an email jlynnbob sent me on Ultra Running when I asked him some newbie ultra questions this summer.

If you are serious about ultrarunning, a good reference book is Fixing Your Feet found here --> http://www.fixingyourfeet.com/aboutfyf.html. THE ultimate ultra magazine is called ultraRUNNING (link http://www.ultrarunning.com/ultra/issues/may-2006.shtml - yours truly took the picture on the cover of the 25th anniversary edition!). It includes lots of "how to" regarding hydration and nutrition, as well as many, many race reports on various races across the country. Some good running books are... Running Through the Wall: Personal Encounters With the Ultramarathon, To the Edge: A Man, Death Valley, and the Mystery of Endurance (my personal favorite about a non-ultra runner tackling Badwater - http://www.amazon.com/Edge-Death-Valley-Mystery-Endurance/dp/044667902X/ref=sr_1_112/105-0622151-3229245?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1184862050&sr=1-112), And Then the Vulture Eats You, Ultramarathon Man: Confessions of an All Night Runner (http://www.amazon.com/Edge-Death-Valley-Mystery-Endurance/dp/044667902X/ref=sr_1_112/105-0622151-3229245?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1184862050&sr=1-112) and The Ultimate Guide to Trail Running.

When it’s all said and done, will you have said more than you’ve done?

Carl A

posted: 12/12/2007 at 3:01 PM
modified: 1/29/2008 at 12:42 PM

To add to Mike's good list: A step beyond: a definitive guide to ultrarunning. Edited by Don Allison. (2004) This is a collection of essays, mostly race reports, written by ultrarunners. I got my local librarian (a very cool guy) to order a copy. It's also available for purchase here. Modified to add: It took a while, but I finally realized that I described this book incorrectly. I'm sorry about that; I got A Step Beyond confused with another that Don Allison contributed to: Running through the Wall: Personal Encounters with the Ultramarathon. However, I've read both books through my local library system, and they're both excellent sources.

Speed my steps along your path, according to your will.

Katie H

Chicago winter running

posted: 1/4/2008 at 12:51 AM

Thanks so much Mike and Carl!!! So sorry for the delayed response- I forgot that I asked for a while and then followed the links y'all gave and got one of the books for Christmas. Thanks so much guys!!!

We must speak with all the humility that is appropriate to our limited vision, but we must speak. - MLK Jr.

Running Readers

Ultra books? (Read 581 times)