Pleasure/Enertainment Reading List
368
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934 days
krazyfranco posted 7 weeks ago.
The Perfect Mile: Three Athletes, One Goal, and Less Than Four Minutes to Achieve It (Neal Bascomb):
Based on ample first-hand details gleaned from interviewing Roger Bannister, John Landy and Wes Santee, "The Perfect Mile" provides a nuanced character study of what drives these three great men toward breaking the most elusive of athletic goals: the four-minute-mile.
Hard days hard, easy days easy.
1816
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1393 days
gfd posted 7 weeks ago.
Getting away from the running/endurance topic, this summer I read a ton of historical fiction by Bernard Cornwell. I thoroughly enjoyed each one, especially the 20 book "Sharpe" series that details the career of the Duke of Wellington from the India Campaigns through Waterloo.
I also read "21 Days in July". Nice account of the TdF the year Tyler Hamilton was supposed to seriously challenge Lance.
"If we help someone else up a steep hill, we get nearer to the top ourselves." ~Unknown~
~Garen~
http://baldhungariantriproject.blogspot.com/
3892
Member
1723 days
Anton posted 7 weeks ago.
When I'm reading a book I like to let it lead me to other books...
This summer I read Creasy's "Fifteen Decisive Battles of the World" Written in 1851, it's a delight of 19th century English language. The book ends with an account of Waterloo, from first person sources. In that chapter Creasy mentions the account of the battle written in "Les Miserables"...which sent me off to find an un-abridged copy of that work...which also led me to a bunch of Hugo's other works....which led...you get the picture.
Also read "Born to Run" about barefoot running. Nothing new there. Barefoot running pops up every so many years and I was hoping for some new insights, although I may but some Five-fingers just for fun.
Just finished Dr. John Sarno's "Healing Back Pain: The Mind Body Connection" That a lot of pain we suffer is from stress and tension and the pressures of society. Good stuff that has me rethinking some recent injuries..
Also did a quick re-read of Galloways "Marathon" as I prep for Disney...
Also plowing through a bunch of books on math and history and language arts...but they're all at the 6th grade level!
"If e wishes to sweem in dangerous waters, oo are we to deny im?
-Chef Skinner
http://antonspath.blogspot.com
871
Member
1767 days
Star posted 7 weeks ago.
To the Edge - Kirk Johnson: A tale about his training for and running the Badwater 135 Ultramarathon.
The All Pro Diet - Tony Gonzalez (yes, the football player): I wanted to see what other pro athletes do to fuel their bodies. It's an easy read about how eating vegan (or 'almost vegan') can help you be strong and energetic.
The Long Walk - Richard Bachman (aka Stephen King): I know I write this every time book topics come up, but King really hits the nail on the head as far as the psychological craziness in endurance sports goes in this tale.
(Side note: I also read Born to Run. I had been considering running barefoot or with the VFF's before the book, but it inspired me. I have been running in the VFF's for a couple of months now and LOVE them! My longest run in them is 12 miles and I'm so happy I bought them. They completely change my running style and I believe they have made my feet and legs stronger).
"I'm more fun than an iPod!"
My blog:http://starsnextbigthing.blogspot.com/
3892
Member
1723 days
Anton posted 7 weeks ago.
I LOVE "To the Edge!"
My Pediatrist says I need to strengthen my feet and has me doing exercises to that end. He also suggested the Nike Free and VFF's... I may have to try them.
"If e wishes to sweem in dangerous waters, oo are we to deny im?
-Chef Skinner
http://antonspath.blogspot.com
368
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934 days
3892
Member
1723 days
Anton posted 6 weeks ago.
You like Bryson?
I recommend "A Short History of Nearly Everything" "Notes From a Small Island" and...well hell, I've read all of Bryson and can't think of anything of his I wouldn't recommend!
"If e wishes to sweem in dangerous waters, oo are we to deny im?
-Chef Skinner
http://antonspath.blogspot.com
51
Member
756 days
SAchris posted 6 weeks ago.
+1 for A Walk in the Woods, great book. I may reread that now.
I really like Peter Jenkins books. A Walk Across America, The Walk West and Looking for Alaska are all good.
Jupiter's Travels by Ted Simon was a really inspiring book to me to see the world when I was younger.
I'm a travel book fan, so anything about traveling I find interesting.
Chris Holohan
holohan.blogspot.com
I’ve gotten on a running/ultra-running pleasure reading kick over the summer and fall. I thought it would be cool to put together a pleasure reading list (not technical books) of books you’d recommend and/or books you’d not recommend. I didn't see other posts specifically about fun books.
List the book title (and author if you know it) and one line description. I’ll start:
- Running with the Buffalos, (Chris Lear): Factual account of a year with the Colorado XC team. Good read about a ridiculously tough program (1999 or 2000 if I remember right)
- Once a Runner (John Parker): Fictional account of a college runner. IMO accurate depiction of college running experience. Fun/predictable (at least mine)
- Born to Run (Chris McDougall): Somewhat controversial chi/pose/barefoot advocacy book. Been discussed (to death) on running forums. Very thought provoking, especially the anthropologic chapters. Some parts are laugh out loud funny.
Again, try to stick to entertainment type writing.