As the holidays approach and winter nears, I thought I'd compile a quick "required reading list" for runners, and a holiday gift guide that will make your winter runs all the merrier. Enjoy!
A Cold Clear Day
This short biography details the athletic career of 1960s American marathoner Leonard "Buddy" Edelen. As a fellow teacher and marathon aspirant, Buddy is one of my personal running heroes. While his career was relatively short-lived due to sometimes extreme training and a persistent sciatic nerve injury, I think any runner can draw inspiration from this lesser-known world record holder of a by-gone era.
Running With The Buffaloes
This iconic story details the 1999 cross country season of the University of Colorado Men's Cross Country Team. A must-read for any young runner, the book is filled with sound training insights from Coach Mark Wetmore, the myriad highs and lows of a nationally ranked collegiate XC team, and what it takes to succeed at the highest level of our sport. Adam Goucher fans will revel in this work, as he plays a chief role in the story's development.
Life at the These Speeds
This is my favorite running novel, and it works well as a coming-of-age piece of modern literature, as well. A darker story by its nature, "Life at These Speeds" details the high school experience of one Kevin Schuller. Kevin is left jaded and somewhat disturbed after a tragic accident disturbs the happiness of his youth, but finds solace in the physical grind and psychological escape that is hard run training. Follow Kevin's path from slave to the 800m track race to innate freedom of spirit in this read-it-again-and-again novel by Jeremy Jackson. Disclaimer: This novel won't be suitable for all young readers, as some of its content and themes are, at times, quite adult. Parental discretion advised; I would rate it a strong PG-13 if it was a film.
The Grid Foam Roller
This product by Trigger Point Therapy, Inc. is a great tool fro every runners looking to massage tight muscles and relieve tesnion after hard training. This one tool will help keep you injury free if you use it consistently and follow usage instructions.
www.tptherapy.com
First Endurance Sports Nutrition
Looking to gain an edge on the competition this winter and spring? Well, that all starts with how well you fuel your body for the demands of training. Choose First Endurance for your next sports drink, recovery shake, or vitamin purchase, and race faster on the track!
www.firstendurance.com
SKORA Running, Inc.
SKORA Running of Portland, OR is a new kid on the block in terms of running shoe companies, but they are making quality zero-drop performance footwear better than anyone else! Founded on simplistic principles to help strengthen muscles, realign the body, and improve running mechanics, you'll be very glad to have a pair of SKORAs in your running shoe rotation.
www.skorarunning.com
Wharton Performance Flexibility Kit
This is truly the gift that keeps on giving for runners. Phil Wharton and his father Jim have worked with the best athletes America has to offer, and have kept them strong and healthy for over twenty years. This kit can be found on their web page, and includes a stretching rope, an instructional DVD, and several other goodies to get you started on the road to optimal health and performance. Team- these are "fun" stretches we do at practice that start with the neck and work their way down the kinetic chain. Check it out!
www.whartonperformance.com
