Beginner running books are filled with basic information that every runner needs to know. They teach you how to dress for the weather without weighing your body down, how to motivate yourself through difficult runs, and how to make it successfully to the finish line of your first race.
They teach you how to stay safe and prevent injuries, and how to get the most enjoyment out of your running time.
When you read a wide selection of beginner running books you develop a foundation of knowledge that will serve you well later in your running career. Whether you are a casual runner who just enjoys the activity or an aspiring professional runner, these three books will get you off on the best foot possible.
Galloway’s Book on Running
This has been one of the most popular beginner running books ever created. It is now being printed in an updated second edition, so the information presented is current despite the long run of printing for the book.
The author is Jeff Galloway, a former Olympian with tons of firsthand and insider information related to running. Through this book, he takes his knowledge of Olympic level running and breaks it down into understandable knowledge to be embraced by the complete beginner.
Besides offering motivating stories and tons of running tips for beginners, Jeff Galloway also offers training plans for 5K, 10K, and half marathon races. If you want to know how to stay safe while pushing yourself to become the best runner possible, head to Amazon and pick this book up.
Running: Getting Started
While I believe this is one of the best beginner running books in existence, it may not be for everyone. If you are interested in running for weight loss but don’t know how to begin a safe program, this is the book for you.
If you want to run as a method of stress relief or a way to challenge yourself to get more active, this is the perfect book to add to your library.
If you are already in tip top shape and want to push yourself to become an elite runner as quickly as possible, look to the other beginner running books listed here instead.
This book is written by Jeff Galloway, but the knowledge presented is more basic than what you will find in Galloway’s Book on Running. This book is geared more toward those who want to start running but who need a more practical approach to getting started.
Beginner’s Guide to Long Distance Running
If you are interested in going the distance, this is one of the best beginners running books you will find today. The book features detailed training plans for those of all fitness levels.
You answer questions for an initial fitness test to determine which training level you should start out with. Once you complete the training plan for that level and learn from valuable running tips, you go back and answer those questions again.
This will tell you what training plan you should follow next. The plans are suitable for the complete beginner who may be out of shape as well as those in better physical condition who may be ready to tackle a long race in the near future.
The great thing about this book is you can track your progress from one training level to the next!
These books are all available through Amazon. Add them all to your library and start developing that foundation of knowledge every beginning runner needs. Or, just pick the one that best fits your running goals at the time and start learning how to become a runner!
Recommended further reading:
- Running Magazines
- Half Marathon Running Books
- Marathon Running Books
- Ultra Marathon Running Books
- Women Running Books
- How to Run Faster Books
- General Running Books
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