Walk into any bookstore or key “endurance sports” into the search engine of any online store and you will be presented with hundreds, if not thousands of books offering advice. Here are some of my favorite recent reads.
Good to Go: What the Athlete in All of Us Can Learn from the Strange Science of Recovery by Christie Aschwanden
Like many endurance athletes out there, I have tried many different recovery methods. Recovery workouts, ice baths, foam rolling, E-Stim, massage, the list goes on and on. All have a place and what works for one athlete may not be the best option for another. I found Good to Go both a fascinating and entertaining read. It made me think more about my own recovery process and how to work with athletes to make sure they are optimizing theirs.
Runner by Lizzy Hawker
Having recently watched the Leadville 100 Trail Run I was in complete awe of everyone that toed the line that cold morning in August. Over the days and weeks that followed, I would hear countless stories from both finishers and non-finishers, everyone different and every one incredibly inspiring. Then I came across Runner, the autobiography of Lizzy Hawker. Lizzy was recognized as the National Geographic Adventure racer of the year in 2013. Her story is one of the physical, mental and emotional challenges and the hard work and sacrifices it took to make it to the top. It was reminiscent of the many Leadville stories I had been recently hearing, and I couldn’t wait to dive in and learn more.
Perfect Strangers: A Story of Love, Strength, and Recovery After the 2013 Boston Marathon by Roseanne Sdoia
I met Roseanne not long after the 2013 Boston Marathon. We found that we had much in common in both our personal and professional lives quickly became friends. I have read this book cover to cover- many times. It is written with heart and filled with honest, raw feelings of loss, love, strength, struggles, and triumph. It is emotional and gives me goosebumps every time I read it. And, full disclosure, I am in the final chapter of the book, The Last Half Mile, but regardless of that, it is still one of the most inspirational and emotional stories you will ever read.
Off season is a great time to get in some good reading! Let me know what books you are enjoying!