BOOKS

Whether you are a beginning runner looking to learn more about the sport or a "hard-core" fan Big River has a book for you. Don't forget that books alway make a great gift for that special runner in your life!

Again to Carthage
The Sequel to the cult classic, Once a Runner
by John L. Parker Jr.

runtowin.com review - "My copy of Again to Carthage arrived this week, so I gave it a read through. It is a very different book than Once a Runner. You can read and enjoy Carthage without having read the first book, (which is good as it still costs in the hundreds of dollars,) and fans of the first book will certainly appreciate all of the references that are made. The sequel is much less about running and living, and instead concentrates on an older protagonist going through a mid-life crisis. The running seems secondary rather than central to the sequel, and does not take a central role in the book until more than halfway through it. Fans of the first book are going to enjoy reading Again to Carthage, and I think that it has enough mass market appeal that most people would be able to pick the book up and give it a read through.

Our Take: To be honest we have not read it yet but we have from a reliable source that it was a good read. If it's half as good as Once a Runner than we would definitely recommend it.

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Bowerman and the Men of Oregon
The story of Oregon's Legendary Coach and Nike's co-founder
by Kenny Moore

Rodale Press- "No man has affected more runners, in more ways than Bill Bowerman. With full cooperation from the Bowerman family and Nike, Olympic marathoner Kenny Moore, himself one of Bowerman's champion athletes, brilliantly re-creates the legendary track coach's life."

Our Take: Great read for anyone interested in the mystique of the Oregon cross country and track program. Some really interesting stories about the humble beginning of Nike as well.

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Duel in the Sun
Alberto Salazar, Dick Beardsley, and America's Greatest Marathon
by John Brant

Rodale Press- "Exquisitely written and rich with human drama. Duel in the Sun brilliantly captures the mythic character of the most thrilling American Marathon ever run- and the powerful forced of fate that drove these two athletes in the years afterward."

Our Take: One of the quickest and best reads you'll ever find from a running book. The race itself, in which Salazar and Beardsley nearly duel to the death literally, is enough for a great book. Then throw in Salazar's heartbreaking health struggles that affectively ended his career and Beardsley's battles with addiction and this is a book that anyone can appreciate.

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Marathon
The Ultimate Training Guide
by Hal Higdon

Rodale Press- "Hal Higdon's years of marathoning experience comes through brilliantly in this practical book! With proven strategies for novices and professionals, there's plenty of sound training advice here. For runners of all levels."

Our Take: This book is absolutely perfect for anyone who is training for a marathon but doesn't have a plan or wants to learn more about the sport of marathoning. Higdon leaves no stone unturned, answering virtually every marathon question from speedwork, to injuries, to nutrition, the taper and more. Also, sometimes Hal Higdon is associated with beginning runners but this book is for anyone.

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PRE
by Tom Jordan

Rodale Press- "This is the story of America's Running Legend. More than 20 years after his death, Pre continues to influence and inspire the running world. His brief but brilliant life is the tale of a true American hero. This is his amazing story."

Our Take: Well, we at the store all read this book when we were in high school and have pretty much been hooked on the Prefontaine story ever since. This book is a great read for anyone wanting to learn about Steve Prefontaine, the man about which two Hollywood movies have been made, the man who once held every American Record from 2,000 through 10,000 meters, and the man who died much too young. A perfect gift for a young runner.

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Runner's World Complete Book of Beginning Running
by Amby Burfoot

Rodale Press- "Runners World now devotes an entire book to guide the beginning runner through those challenging first days, weeks, and months. With motivating tips and advice from those who have been there, this much-needed volume presents a can't fail program that is sure to help new runners."

Our Take: We were amazed with the thoroughness of this book. If you took this to a space alien and had them read it they would walk away knowing everything they needed to know about running their first marathon. It is written almost in a textbook-like format but we don't mean that to sound as if it is boring. Rather it just takes things one chapter at a time and gives each topic its just due.

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Runners World Training Journal
A commonsense Plan for Changing Your Life with Running
by John "The Penguin" Bingham & Jenny Hadfield

Rodale Press- "In this book the 'Penguin' provides tips for getting started, sticking to a routine, eating for energy, hydration, and training for speed and endurance."

Our Take: A training log is a great way to stay motivated. It gives you accountability each day and it gives you something to look back on before your big race. Reading through all of your old runs and workouts can be a huge confidence boost. If you are interested in getting the training journal as a gift then consider one of our special "Holiday Packages" that include the journal as well as Big River gear and more.

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Sub 4:00
Alan Webb and the quest for the fastest mile - The story of a young track hero's journey.
by Chris Lear

Rodale Press- Sub 4:00 follows Alan Webb, to college at the University of Michigan. As we witness his freshman track season - watching him struggle with injuries, the politics of the collegiate track world, and his own aspirations to become the best miler ever - we get an unprecedented view of one of the nation's most promising track athletes.

Our Take: We read this book when it first came out and people were wondering whether Webb would ever live up to the potential that he showed as a young runner when he broke Jim Ryun's 36-year-old high school record in the mile in 2001. Of course, since then Webb has gone on to win multiple U.S. Championships, was a 2004 Olympian and this past year set the American Record in the mile at 3:46.91. All of his success makes this book an even more interesting read because it gives you great insight into the mind of a champion but shows that such a mind can still be quite fragile.