5 Great Summer Reads Perfect For Runners

Gaining running knowledge doesn’t necessarily come from logging mile after mile. A good read can shed new and helpful motivation, wisdom and information on your running. Now that summer’s here, sitting poolside with a good book is one of the best ways to soak up the sun while resting your legs from a morning run. Go ahead, grab your protein shake and great page-turner, and let your runner’s high escape in one of these great summer reads.

Natural Born Heroes  by Christopher McDougall

This read, from the same guy who brought you Born to Run, inspires runners once again of the power of nature. Natural Born Heroes will motivate you to appreciate nature, get out of your comfort zone, and take your fitness outside. McDougall heads to the Mediterranean, where he discovers that the secrets of ancient Greek heroes are still alive on the island of Crete, and ready to be unleashed in the muscles and minds of casual athletes and aspiring heroes everywhere.

Run the World by Becky Wade

Marathon superstar and NCAA All-American Becky Wade’s new book will open your eyes to how running can connect people from around the globe. Over the course of the year, Wade ran over 3,500 miles in 9 countries as she experimented with diverse training styles and discovered new recovery techniques. Whether riding around the streets of London with Olympic champion Usain Bolt, hiking for an hour at daybreak just to start a run on Ethiopia’s Mount Entoto, or getting lost navigating the bustling streets of Tokyo, Wade’s unexpected adventures capture the heartbeat of distance running around the world.

Spitting in the Soup: Inside the Dirty Game of Doping in Sports by Mark Johnson

Drugs in sports are not new, but the constant chatter surrounding ban rules and who gets to still play after getting caught is changing by the day. Spitting in the Soup delivers an honest, clear look at why that’s so, and what it will take to kick pills out of the locker room once and for all. This book sheds light on the ugly truth, the corruption and why athletes crave doping. It is an eye-opening read that explores what deals are made behind closed doors.

Fat-Burning Machine by Mike Berland and Gale Bernhardt

More than a diet book, Mike Berland and Gale Bernhardt shed light on metabolic research and a doctor-approved approach to eating and exercising that throws out decades of bad science and will transform your body from storing fat to burning it. This book gives you the motivation, tools and recipes to boost your energy and performance in 12 weeks. Learn a new outlook on food, eating, exercise and life. This is a guide to mentally and physically changing your lifestyle habits for good. It doesn’t take away food; if anything, it opens your eyes to new ways to eat, especially for endurance sports.

Spartan Fit by Joe DeSena

Transform your mind, body and workout style in 30 days. Spartan Fit is a complete Spartan training guide from the man who created the popular race series, but you don’t need to be a Spartan to take part in the workouts. This book gives readers the knowledge, strength and mindset to deliver to the fullest potential on and off the course. The best part about this book, there are full-body workouts that require no gym! Get inspired by the stories DeSena shares and take your fitness to the next level. This is a quick read and a handy summer guide.

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