i am looking for some good reading, running reading. i don’t want a “how to” type book, but a book along the lines of “once a runner” or “the perfect mile.” any suggestions?
Train Hard, Win Easy: The Kenyan Way…fantastic book, best i have ever read about running…problem is it was discontinued in 97 i believe…I found it on amazon brand new but it cost me about $100, original price and most people that have a copy for sale post it for about $150
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Running with the Buffaloes…a year in the life of the CU XC team. Not very well written but a good insight into what it takes to be the best in the NCAA.
To the Edge…true story about a guy, Kirk Johnson, who after the death of his brother decides on a whim to run the Badwater Ultra. Excellent read and inspiring story.
Running for my Life…the rise and fall of Catherina McKiernan. OK book but she coulda used a ghost writer.
If you would enjoy reading about what running was like before the running boom of the 70s, On the Run From Dogs and People by Hal Higdon is a classic. Lots of funny stories. The first running book I ever read. I think it’s available for $10 on Higdon’s website.
I second Running with The Buffaloes. Just read it this week on a business trip…good stuff.
Damn those college guys can run fast. 
I also enjoyed RWTB, but it may have had a lot to do with the fast that I ran on a college XC team and teh experiences were very similar (just slower).
Staying the Course: A Runner’s Toughest Race - Dick Beardsley
I couldn’t put it down.
Never read the book so I looked it up, looks like there is a new edition out. You can comparison shop online bookstores here…
http://www.allbookstores.com/search?type=title&q=train+hard+win+easy&Go.x=0&Go.y=0&Go=Go
the original has 250+ pgs idk if they took out hte epilogue or most of the training that is in the original version…
Sub 4 is pretty good, I also liked the Miler (Steve Scott) and Decathlon Challenge by Bruce Jenner.
Once a Runner
by John L. Parker.
Running and Being by George Sheehan.
There was a huge article (actual a couple of articles) in RUnner’s World many years ago (mid 80’s I think) that was about the running stage race that went across the US back in the… 40’s? Maybe earlier. Anyway, I think it was actually a bunch of excerpts from a book. Not a documentary like the article they ran jsut a couple months ago. This one was more like a novel. Wish I could help you more with that one, but if it exiists, it would be worth the search.
Hmm… Nothing else comes to mind. ANy others by George Sheehan would be good as well.
He said “great” running books, not poorly written over hyped books.
“why we run” by bernd heinrich is a really neat book.
Another good one is Runners, Brothers, Hellion by Chris Catanach. It tells the story of the Columbus cross country team and their journey to win a state title. It’s $15 and you can order it on the site (http://runnersbrothershellions.com/index.htm), if you really want to get motivated to run trust me read this book.
Check out the video on youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSwrC0o29xw
and patrick read the book!!! you need it now that your coming back
Bowerman and the men of Oregon
written by Kenny Moore
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Bart Yasso’s My Life “On The Run” is an entertaining read as well as Karnazes. I heard Bart speak at the SF marathon party and he’s highly entertaining.
And Then the Vulture Eats You
Edited by John L. Parker
What I talk when I talk about running - Haruki Murakami
http://www.amazon.com/What-Talk-About-When-Running/dp/0307269191
Smart Japanese writer who runs and compares his running to life in general. I love his observations, sense of self depreciating humour, honesty and humbleness.
Really?! I just finished it and thoroughly enjoyed it. You may want to try Again to Carthage by Parker (the sequel)