Most Approachable
1 of 6
Jeff Galloway has written more than 40 books related to running and walking. This former Olympian and long-time coach is best known for his run-walk-run method, which makes him the perfect author for non-elite runners to read. Galloway's training and racing method isn't only for beginners, though. Thousands of seasoned runners have reported personal best times in races of all distances using the method. While the majority of Galloway's books focus on the technical training aspects of running and walking, he's just come out with America's Best Places to Run, which catalogs more than 50 scenic runs and a handful of "lifetime races" throughout the book.
Need For Speed
2 of 6
Matt Fitzgerald is very prolific writer, with 20 running-related books in print. Fitzgerald covers a wide array of topics, most of which are in some way related to getting faster. His titles include technical training guides such as Run Faster (co-authored by Brad Hudson) and The Runner's Edge; a number of volumes on nutrition, including Racing Weight and a companion cookbook; and a few books on other training factors, such as Brain Training for Runners, Maximum Strength and Cross-Training.
Low-Carb/Fat Adapted
3 of 6
Dr. Phil Maffetone, creator of the Maffetone Method, has a simple approach to running: run all of your training miles at your true Maximum Aerobic Function (a formula Maffetone created) and you'll get faster over time, with a lower risk for injury. His 2010 title, The Big Book of Endurance Training and Racing, co-written with Mark Allen, is considered by many to be one of the most comprehensive training manuals on the sport. Recently published, The Endurance Handbook is a follow-up to the Big Book that provides new insights and nutrition information on how to run "fat adapted" by following a low-carb, high-fat diet, which will appeal to Paleo and keto runners.
Plant-Based Guru
4 of 6
On the opposite end of the running nutrition spectrum is plant-based author Matt Frazier (AKA the No Meat Athlete). His book, The No Meat Athlete, outlines running and diet advice for vegetarian and vegan runners at all distances and ability levels.
Finding Power in Plants
5 of 6
Rich Roll is an ultra-endurance rock star who is also off the meat train. His best-seller, Finding Ultra, chronicles his very personal transformation from a burned-out, alcoholic lawyer to being named one of the 25 fittest men in the world by Men's Fitness magazine. Runners will especially enjoy the chapters on training for and competing at Epic 5: an event consisting of five full IRONMAN races on five different Hawaiian islands in one week. Roll has followed Finding Ultra up with The Plantpower Way, a detailed plant-based recipe and lifestyle book co-written with his wife, Julie Piatt.
Get ACTIVE on the Go
Couch to 5K®
The best way to get new runners off the couch and across the finish line of their first 5K.
Available for iOS | Android
Discuss This Article