My Top Picks for the Best Running Books

By Marnie Kunz, USATF- RRCA-certified running coach

A good book can change your life. Whether you have a marathon coming up or are searching for something new to read, these are my recs for the best running books to get inspired. A silver lining of pandemic life for me has been having more time to read, so I checked out quite a few running books over the past few years, and these are my top picks. Whether you’re training for a marathon, doing a run streak, or running your first 5K, these running books will inspire you to keep pushing ahead with your training and with life.

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I also want to note that this list is by no means exhaustive and is a great starting point if you want to find inspiring running reads. Although these are my choices for the best running books, I have not read every running book. I’m sure there are some good running books I have missed. I also want to note that I did not include instructional-style running books for this list but instead focused on memoirs. (Stay tuned for more books in the how-to, instructional style genre. I also have been reading more thriller books recently and will be adding some running thrillers/mysteries to my next book list.)

Feel free to comment below with the best running books on your list to add to the compilation.

Happy reading and happy running, Wolf Pack!

Best Running Books That Are Memoirs

“Let Your Mind Run: A Memoir of Thinking My Way to Victory,” by Deena Kastor

In “Let Your Mind Run,” Olympic distance runner and cross country champion Deena Kastor writes about her coming of age as a runner in this fascinating look at the world of elite running. She tells an engaging story and also describes her process of learning to train her mind and overcome negative thinking. I could relate to some of her struggles from growing up running cross country and track, and learning how powerful the mind can be (for better or worse) when performing. This is a great running book that is relatable on a human level, and Deena’s insights into mental training and experiences with elite Olympic running coaches make for a fascinating read. She also trains with Meb, who has a great marathon tale as well (see below).

At the end of Deena’s book, she has tips for mental training and improving your mindset. Her own examples and experiences of learning to use mantras and think positively in her running and life serve as great guides for the rest of us. After reading her book, I found myself trying some of her techniques during my hard workouts and have had some promising results.

Even though I am a runner and enjoyed geeking out about Deena’s Olympic and elite-level marathon accomplishments, I think everyone can enjoy this book as a great coming-of-age story and inspiration for living with gratitude, pursuing great achievements, and having a positive mindset. Deena’s book is also inspiring for female athletes as we do not have many well-known running books written by women runners.

“What I Talk About When I Talk About Running,” by Haruki Murakami

“What I Talk About When I Talk About Running” made it to my best running books list for its meditative and philosophical look at running and life. In the memoir, author and marathon runner Haruki Murakami reflects on running the New York City Marathon and his training process, as well as his running life in general.

In contrast with many running books, Haruki writes about being an everyday runner. He is not a world champion or breaking any records, but instead, he runs for balance in his life and for mental health as much as physical health. This makes his take very relatable for many of us who are not out winning races or making headlines but instead run for personal fulfillment and health.

As someone who has traveled and moved quite a bit, I also love reading about Haruki’s training in different places - from Tokyo to Hawaii to Boston. He has a beautiful way of conjuring up the places he runs and making us feel like we are there, too. As a former journalist, I have a writing background as well. I found his writing life very interesting and could relate to the loneliness of the writer’s life.

In this book, Haruki offers us a raw, insightful look at his running and his life, and it is both refreshing and familiar as well as insightful and thought-provoking. As with Deena’s memoir, I would recommend this running book to even non-running friends, as the narrator is very relatable and offers entertaining and insightful perspectives on modern life.

“The Longest Race” by Kara Goucher

For an insightful read on women’s running and elite level endurance training, check out “The Longest Race: Inside the Secret World of Abuse, Doping, and Deception on Nike's Elite Running Team,” by Kara Goucher. This running memoir was eye-opening for me. I’ve never been an elite athlete, and Kara’s first-person account of her journey from amateur to elite runner is fascinating.

Kara was invited to join the elite Nike Oregon Project and details her experience training with the men of Oregon. She discusses her relationship with her husband, fellow runner Adam Goucher, as well as her relationship with Nike. The Nike saga and the abuse Kara endured are disturbing, to say the least. Kara’s bravery and courage in speaking out have inspired much-needed changes and conversations about the treatment of women in the world of elite running.

“26 Marathons” by Meb Keflezighi

Speaking of world champions, “26 Marathons” is an inspiring read by world elite marathoner Meb Keflezighi. Meb, who was originally a pro runner competing in middle distances like the 5000 meters, describes his experiences training for world marathons, beginning with the NYC Marathon, his first 26.2-mile race. Meb is one of the greatest distance runners and also so humble and honest, so his book is inspiring to runners of all levels.

I was surprised to learn that even Meb, the great marathoner, struggles and that he felt, like me, that after running his first NYC Marathon, maybe it’s not for him. But alas, he persisted and came to conquer the marathon distance. And unlike me, he won the NYC Marathon and the Boston Marathon.

This running book is great motivation to keep pushing, stay disciplined, and always give your best in sports and life. I like how Meb describes his “run to win” mentality, which helps him keep control over his attitude and performance and let go of some things he can’t always control, like his exact race place or someone else’s performance in relation to his. Meb’s wisdom from running 26 marathons is legendary, and his tips and insights are helpful for all runners. Meb advocates the “under-promise, over-deliver” philosophy in running and in life, and he shows how with smart preparation and a strong mindset, you can accomplish greatness.

“Finding Ultra: Rejecting Middle Age, Becoming One of the World’s Fittest Men and Discovering Myself,” by Rich Roll

I read “Finding Ultra” by popular health podcaster Rich Roll last year and was so inspired by his courage and honesty in conquering addiction, and his late start to running — he began at 40. Since transforming his life and picking up running, Rich has become a champion Ironman and ultra runner, accomplishing more in midlife than many people do their whole lives. His ultra running tale is a driving force behind the rise of the ultra runners in America.

As someone who has struggled with my own demons, I found Rich’s candor and raw truth in describing his early life and challenges with addiction especially powerful. His low points made his later accomplishments all the more impressive, from his first ultra to worldwide acclaim. His honesty in dealing with it all and his life lessons are very inspiring.

Rich Roll’s advocacy of a plant-based diet and his love of trail running made a big impression on me, helping me to get out more and hit the trails. This was a great book to read during covid, a hard time for many of us. It gave me extra motivation to do something healing and active during pandemic life — running on trails in nature. I highly recommend this running book for anyone interested in trail running, new beginnings, mental health, or general life inspiration.

“Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen,” by Christopher McDougall

“Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen,” by Christopher McDougall, is a ground-breaking book that has had a big impact on modern running culture, inspiring the barefoot running movement and more. In the book, journalist and runner Christopher McDougall ventures to Mexico to run with and learn from the Tarahumara Indians, some of the world’s best ultra distance runners.

I found this book very interesting but would have liked to learn more from the perspective of the indigenous runners. This book is a great starting point for learning more about ultra running and the Tarahumara tribe. For a more in-depth look at the Tarahumara, check out “The Infinite Race” documentary.

Honorable Mentions

These books are on my shelf to read next, based on the recommendations of other runners:

“Choosing to Run: A Memoir,” by Des Linden. My dad, the most voracious reader I know, read this book and highly recommended it, so it’s next on my reading list.
“Ultramarathon Man: Confessions of an All-Night Runner” by Dean Karnazes. This is a classic running book and ultra marathon bible.
“80/20 Running,” by Matt Fitzgerald. Matt is a certified sports nutritionist and award-winning journalist.
“Eat And Run: My Unlikely Journey to Ultramarathon Greatness,” by Scott Jurek, an ultramarathoner and plant-based nutrition advocate.
“How She Did It: Stories, Advice, and Secrets to Success from Fifty Legendary Distance Runners,” by Molly Huddle and Sara Slattery.
“Can't Hurt Me: Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds,” by David Goggins, who rose from poverty to become the only man in history to complete elite training as a Navy SEAL, Army Ranger, and Air Force Tactical Air Controller.
“Relentless Forward Progress: A Guide to Running Ultramarathons,” by Bryon Powell.

What books would make it to your best running books list? Share your faves below, and follow @Runstreet Instagram to let us know your fave running books and get cheered on in your training. 😊

Marnie Kunz is a NASM-certified trainer and USATF- and RRCA-certified running coach based in Brooklyn, NY. Marnie likes helping people get and stay active to enjoy a better quality of life. When she’s not doing fitness things, Marnie enjoys exploring with her dog, a mischievous rescue Akita.

Best Running Books to Get Inspired