Five Books Every Runner Should Read (Plus Three More)

The art and science of running are improbably complex and impossibly arcane. So many principles, controversies, and practices populate the landscape of running that no one person can hope to explore them all. And yet, you can make a pretty good start. Here are the five books -- in the correct reading sequence -- that offer most to the curious and careful reader.

1. Tim Noakes, The Lore of Running.
Noakes's book is, more or less, the encyclopedia of running. Everything you need to get started is in this book. (Pay particular attention to Noakes's Central Governor theory and his comments about the length of time it takes -- about ten months -- for the body to adapt fully to running.)

2. Jack Daniels, Daniels' Running Formula.
Daniels is the coach who is most often cited in discussion of running performance. He pioneered tempo running, and attention to cadence, and many other foundational principles. (The other famous coach, who is almost at the opposite end of the spectrum to Daniels, is Arthur Lydiard.)

3. Bill Pierce, Scott Murr, and Ray Moss; Run Less: Run Faster.
This is the new science (building on Daniels) that involves a combination of different speeds of running combined with strength training. This is the book for beginners to get their bodies strong and healthy. It's also the book for marathoners trying to improve their race times. So, all in all, it's for everybody.

4. Kevin Beck, Run Strong.
This is the book you eventually turn to after you've managed to injure yourself (because you didn't read Noakes thoroughly enough). Beck offers a host of strategies for improving gait, speed, strength, balance, power, and so on. A great book.

5. Matt Fitzgerald, Brain Training for Runners.
Based on ideas from Noakes, Daniels, and others, this book explores the new science of nervous system training, which involves focusing on nervous system adaptations as the primary means of improvement (as opposed to physiological adaptation, which turns out to be less important).

Edit:

Matt Fitzgerald's newest books, The Cutting-Edge Runner and Performance Nutrition for Runners, are also excellent. And while you're at it, you may as well pick up The Wharton's Stretch Book, for many tips and ideas about injury prevention.

If you read all of these books, you will be well-educated about the best practices for injury-free performance running. You will also know quite a bit about controversial running subjects such as the proper sole thickness of running shoes, the uses and misuses of stretching, and the central question of what type of running underwear to avoid. In short, you will be well-prepared.