Tag: Books

Five insightful books about running

Posted on by Mohsin Salya

Hi, and welcome back to the Mohsin Salya blog.

Looking for the perfect present for a runner in your life? Or maybe you enjoy curling up with a good book after a hard race – either way, here’s a quick run down of some of the best books on running out there.

  1. Running with the Kenyans by Adharanand Finn

In the world of distance running, the Kenyans are something truly special. In order to find out exactly what their secret is, Adharanand Finn decided to head out to Iten in Kenya to meet some of the greatest runners in the world.

  1. What I Talk About When I Talk About Running by Haruki Murakami

As strangely gentle and meditative as you’d expect from Murakami, this account of a life spent on the road is beautifully written. He’s a brilliant writer and draws plenty of parallels between the business of running and the business of writing.

  1. Born to Run: The Hidden Tribe, the Ultra-Runners, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen by Christopher McDougall

Christopher McDougall dives headlong into the world of ultra running, meeting everyone from tribes of Mexican Indians to the researchers working in laboratories for Nike and Harvard University.

  1. Running with the Mind of Meditation: Lessons for Training Body and Mind by Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche

For many people, the benefits they gain from running are about much more than just the physical effect it has on their bodies. In this book the author takes a look at how running can be a complement to practices such as meditation.

  1. Feet in the Clouds: A Tale of Fell-Running and Obsession by Richard Askwith

If you’ve ever looked at mountain and felt the urge to run to the top and back, then Richard Askwith’s passionate story of fell runners is for you. It’s a beautifully written portrait of this most unusual of sports.

Happy reading – and until the next time,

Mohsin Salya.

5 Books Every Runner Should Read

Posted on by Mohsin Salya

Hi, welcome to the Mohsin Salya blog!

If you’re really into running, like me, you’ll want to dive deep into the subject and learn all there is to learn about it. If you’re a beginner, then you may be somewhat overwhelmed by the sheer amount of information there is available surrounding running.

In this post I’ve put together a selection of my ultimate must-read running books of all time.  Inside these books, you’ll find plenty of inspiration, information and practical training guidelines – all of which will help you to become the best you can possibly be.

Born To Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen

This book is one of the most mainstream running books of all time, and if you’re an established runner then you’ve probably come across it at one time or another. Written by Christopher McDougall, this bestseller is a mix of inspiring stories, cutting edge science and a user friendly practical manual of how to prevent pain and injury when running.

Chi Running: A Revolutionary Approach to Effortless, Injury-Free Running 

If you’re focusing on improving your running form and technique, then this book is a great place to start, especially if you’re a beginner. ‘Chi Running’ can help you transform your running routine in to an enjoyable, injury free experience. The book is written by ultra-marathoner and famous coach Danny Dreyer, so you know the advice will be spot on.

Why We Run

This book originally had the title of “Racing the Antelope: What Animals Can Teach Us about Running and Life”. It is the perfect mixture of psychology, biology, philosophy, anthropology and evolutionary sciences. Famous biologist, award-winning nature writer and ultra-marathoner Bernd Heinrich explores a new perspective on human evolution by delving into the phenomenon of ultra-endurance.

Run Faster

If you’re looking to improve your running performance and become the fastest and strongest you can be, then this is the book for you. This is a great training book and a cutting edge guide for optimal athletic performance. Written by Brad Hudson, an elite coach, the book outlines in detail the complete training system that he used to turn Dathan Rizenhein into a successful Olympian.

Once a Runner: A Novel

This is a bit of a cult classic in the world of running, known as one of the most loved pieces of fiction amongst elite runners. If you’re serious about becoming a competitive runner, then this one is for you. This novel is all about the essence of competitive running and the dedication and intensity that it takes to be competitive. It focuses on the character of Quinton Cassidy, and the dedication to his life-long dream to run a four-minute mile.

I hope these books will help you on your way to becoming the best runner you can be.

Until next time,

Mohsin Salya