5 essential books every runner should read

✓ Marathons has selected five books to keep on your bedside table.

One of running’s bibles

Born to Run, is essential reading in the running world. Author Christopher McDougall takes readers on a quest to uncover the most minimalist form of running possible. It all begins with a problem: foot pain whenever he runs. A writer and journalist, McDougall is also a keen long-distance runner, so he decides to investigate. His search takes him to the Tarahumara tribe in Mexico’s inaccessible Copper Canyons. Among people capable of running 200 km in temperatures of 50°C while wearing sandals, he discovers a different way of approaching the sport. The book tells true stories while paying tribute to minimalist running and the values it represents.

And what about women?

In Le corps, le mouvement, la liberté, writer and filmmaker Isabelle Fougère shines a light on female athletes, whose place is too often pushed into the background. The book follows the journeys of 50 inspiring champions across a wide range of sports. Sailing, football, athletics, marathons and motor racing all feature in this account of female athletes’ centuries-long fight to step out of the shadows. Their stories unfold across eras that mark their long and arduous struggle for equality. It is also an opportunity to rediscover the story of Marie-José Perec, a three-time Olympic champion.

In praise of running slow

It bears repeating: running slowly helps you improve and, in time, run faster. In Courir lentement afin de courir plus vite et plus longtemps, scientist Denis Boucher examines that claim. This book is aimed at runners who want to improve while grounding their training in scientific evidence. The author explains how to analyse your physiological responses in detail and identify the heart-rate zones most likely to produce the best possible adaptation to training. The ultimate goal is to improve your abilities, fitness and endurance. The book also explains why running alone is not enough. All that remains is to run, slowly, to get your hands on a copy.

Building mental strength

Running fast or long is not enough to stay at the top of your game. Mental strength matters just as much as the power in your legs. In Le mental du runner : Être un meilleur coureur avec les mêmes baskets, Bertrand Lelong, a leading voice in personal development applied to sport, takes us deep into the workings of the mind. Whatever your level, whether you are new to running or highly experienced, you will find the tools to build unshakeable mental strength and push beyond your limits. A complete guide to strengthening your mindset as a runner.

A little history and sociology

Courir sans entraves is the first volume in a series documenting the sociological work of Olivier Bessy. This opening book, Courir de 1968 à nos jours, explores the evolution of running over the past 50 years. The author, a former physical education teacher and lifelong running enthusiast, shows how the sport has changed alongside social, economic and technological shifts. In the early 1970s, crowds began running freely, taking to all kinds of routes and surfaces. It is a book that helps explain running’s place in society by taking the time to understand what came before.

Running is not confined to trails and tarmac; it can also be explored between the lines of a book. Whether you want to understand your body better, strengthen your mindset, draw inspiration from remarkable figures or simply escape for a while, books about running are a valuable resource. So between two sessions, make time to open one. You may find that sometimes, reading is where the biggest gains are made.

Happy reading!

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