Running Well

by Sam Murphy, Sarah Connors

Nothing beats the pleasure of running. Unfortunately, many runners are slowed down by injuries that could be avoided through changes in training or technique.That's where Running Well comes in. Based on the latest scientific principles, this accessible guide shows you these to minimize the risk of injury and stay healthyThe differences between training and strainingHow to strengthen and maintain the primary running musclesWays of assessing and improving techniqueHow to recognize injuries early on and avoid more serious setbacks
And if you do get injured, Running Well will return you to action quickly. Sections devoted to each bodily region detail common symptoms and causes of discomfort. You'll learn how to treat the injury, know when to seek help and know how to prevent the problem from reoccurring.From avoiding overtraining to increasing flexibility, Running Well has everything you need to keep you running all year round so that you sprint—not limp—to the all-important finish line.

Genres: Nonfiction, Health, Reference

184 pages, Paperback

First published January 10, 2008

Reviews

[Bonnie]

Not exactly a gripping read but a very good reference book. Would have been nice to have years ago when I started running.

[Tamara]

I hope I can put some of the suggestions into practice as I work to improve my running! Oh my!!!

[Chrisanne]

I usually tell people that I'll read anything but horror. I may have to amend that statement. :)

[Kevin Casto]

A wonderful book on how to return to running. I have not run for years due to injuries and this book has a wealth of insight on running.

[Jake]

Good overall tips, and it's helpful to hear what the real consensus on a lot of these topics are (spoiler alert, there usually isn't one!)

[Ed]

A very useful set of advice for those changing their running or troubleshooting an injury.
Would recommend on the shelf of any runner.

[Heather Carter]

This book is full of good information, from assessing footwear to preventing and recovering from injury. It also includes stretches and warm-up and cool-down exercises to do before and after runs, and on days off.
In some areas I found that the author tried to put too much information in too little space; I think the book could have benefited from being a handful of pages longer so that she could go into greater detail in a few areas. Overall, though, I found this book an interesting read and I picked up some new information to add to my training program. Highly recommended, particularly for new runners!

[Ci]

This book is user-friendly, heavy with photos and diagrams. The diagrams include a flow-chart for self-diagnosis of running injuries. There is also a good section on the anatomy highlight the areas of major impact and injuries. For beginners, this book is a cheerful and useful guide. My only complaints that some of the photos of this book show clear-heel strike and over-striding. Perhaps they look really impressive in the photographic way, but they do not look perfect from a bio-mechanican point of view.

[Michelle Moses]

I'd give it a hundred stars if it actually made me run. Lol.

Seriously, though, I have always hated running, yet I've often wanted to do it. From the first time I picked up this book, I understood why I hate running.... My form is incorrect, I don't run consistently enough and when I do, I try to go longer than I should. When I finally get into running (some day!) I will have a much firmer grasp on what I'm getting into, thanks to this book.

[Jessica]

I swear reading Proust is making me weaker. Hopefully a running book will help me to regain my vigor.

One of the issue's I've got so far is that it was written by Englishwomen, and since my boss's boss is English I keep hearing her voice in my head reading out all the words. So we'll see how this goes....

[Kirsten]

I actually finished this like a month ago, and forgot to mark it as read.

This was a GREAT book on the mechanics of running, how to prevent injury, what to eat to fuel yourself, and how to recover from injury if it happens. Lots of good photos of stretches and exercises. Definitely highly recommended/

[Katherine]

I didn't read this book word for word because there is a section about after you get specific injuries what you should do and that is useful but more so just in that situation. I think this book has a lot of useful tips for avoiding injuries and making it your best run!

[Amy]

Excellent advice on injury, training, etc.

[Janet]

A well-done, common sense guide to running. The only drawback is the measurements are metric because it was published in Canada.

[Andy Nieradko]

Excellent resource. Packed with useful, easily understood information, and many valuable stretches/exercises.

[Robin]

Well written and informative, by two intelligent, experienced, and insightful professional experts. I am pleased to have this to refer to.

[Anna]

This is a college textbook written by a PT. I'm keeping it for reference for exercises and injuries and so forth.

[Bear]

Not as comprehensive as the Runner's World version.

[C]

Good information.