Running Book Reviews with Alan and Liz

Alan and Liz
  • 5.0 (8)
  • RUNNING
  • UPDATED SEMIMONTHLY

All types of running related books are reviewed by two non-elite track, road and trail runners. Observation and description of running books intended to inform, help and inspire anyone involved or related to running at any level. Whenever possible we chat with the author about the book, but if not then we try to do it justice. If you have been enjoying the podcast and want more, you can follow us on Facebook and Instagram. You can also go to our Buy Me A Coffee website where we have a few more posts: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/AlanandLiz  

  1. AUG 15

    Feet In The Clouds, by Richard Askwith

    Send us a text Feet in the Clouds is a deep dive into the world of fell running. It talks about the history of the sport, some of its GOATs like Bill Teasdale and Kenny Stuart, and professional vs amateur races. At the same time, the author tells the story of his own journey in fell running and his quest to complete the Bob Graham Round in under 24 hours. Richard Askwith is a UK Northamptonshire-based journalist and author whose passions include running, outdoor adventure and the traditions and ordinary people of the English countryside. He has written six books including Running Free and Today We Die a Little (the story of famous Czech Runner Emil Zatopek and the subject of a previous episode which you can listen to here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/976876/episodes/8948352 ).   You can learn more about Richard and find all his other books by going to his website: https://richardaskwith.co.uk/books/   If you’re interested in reading the book for yourself and want a copy, you can find it here on Amazon: https://a.co/d/aa87ajc Link for 20% discount on Caffeine Bullet  https://caffeinebullet.com/RUNNINGBOOK Discount automatically applied and visible on checkout Support the show Any feedback or suggestions on this review or any of our other podcast episodes would be greatly welcomed. Leave us a review using your favorite podcast player or contact us on social media. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/runningbookreviews/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/reviews_running Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/runningbookreviews/ Podcast webpage: https://runningbookreviews.buzzsprout.com If you have been enjoying the podcast and want more, you can find some extras on our By Me a Coffee site! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/runningbookreviews

    1h 8m

  2. AUG 1

    Mud, Sweat and Bears, by Harriet Gaywood

    Send us a text Mud, Sweat and Bears is mostly about the author, Harriet Gaywood’s, ultra racing experience in 2024. Before you think the book is going to be about conquering a hundred-miler or any other single race distance, I’ll let you know that Harriet’s 2024 race season had 1850k of official race kilometers with many races of 100k or more. Harriet races all over Asia, and shares her experience as well as the things she learned along the way about: ·      Kit essentials ·      Nutrition ·      Training   Harriet Gaywood was born and educated in the UK but has been living and working in Asia for nearly 30 years. She took up trail-running in her 40’s and as we’ll hear, has run many trail ultra-marathons around Asia. Her 2024 racing year has let her qualify for the 2025 UTMB and she has also recently decided to start her own business so she can spend more time in the trails. You can find Harriet online at https://www.trailingaroundasia.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCB9vILeoGfy9XMh7gaaKH6g IG: https://www.instagram.com/trailingaroundasia?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==   If you’re interested in getting a copy of the book for herself, you can find it on Amazon: https://a.co/d/7ZN5g0r Link for 20% discount on Caffeine Bullet  https://caffeinebullet.com/RUNNINGBOOK Discount automatically applied and visible on checkout Support the show Any feedback or suggestions on this review or any of our other podcast episodes would be greatly welcomed. Leave us a review using your favorite podcast player or contact us on social media. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/runningbookreviews/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/reviews_running Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/runningbookreviews/ Podcast webpage: https://runningbookreviews.buzzsprout.com If you have been enjoying the podcast and want more, you can find some extras on our By Me a Coffee site! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/runningbookreviews

    1h 18m

  3. JUL 15

    Chasing Mastery, by Matt Fitzgerald

    Send us a text If this author's name sounds familiar it's because we've had him on 7 times before... and we haven't even covered half of the books he's written about endurance sport. As always, Matt is a great speaker and talks to us about the concept of mastery and mastering what it means to master your sport, which is the subject of his latest book, Chasing Mastery. Chasing Mastery is a guide developed to help athletes master their running through 25 lessons grouped under five pillars: MotivationLearningUnderstandingIndividuationChallengeAs you can probably tell by the pillars, this book is not a training plan. It’s meant to help you think more critically about the training you’re doing so that you can get closer to reaching your potential as an athlete. Chasing mastery is also an online course that coaches and athletes can take through the 8020 education platform. Matt became a runner at the age of eleven, after running the last mile of the 1983 Boston Marathon with his father (who had run the whole thing) and his two brothers. By that time Matt was already a writer (specifically a comedic poet), having declared his intention to make his future career as a writer at the age of nine. He never changed his mind. He has since written over 30 books about endurance sports and started his own publishing company called 8020 Publishing. Matt is also a coach, nutritionist, public speaker and founder of Dream Run Camp (a place where runners can go to train like the pros!). Most notable of Matt’s accomplishments is the fact that he has been on the Running Book Reviews Podcast 7 times!!  If you're interested in a copy of the book then you can find it here: https://a.co/d/5SZ3tXS Link for 20% discount on Caffeine Bullet  https://caffeinebullet.com/RUNNINGBOOK Discount automatically applied and visible on checkout Support the show Any feedback or suggestions on this review or any of our other podcast episodes would be greatly welcomed. Leave us a review using your favorite podcast player or contact us on social media. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/runningbookreviews/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/reviews_running Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/runningbookreviews/ Podcast webpage: https://runningbookreviews.buzzsprout.com If you have been enjoying the podcast and want more, you can find some extras on our By Me a Coffee site! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/runningbookreviews

    1h 35m

  4. JUL 1

    Believe Training Journal, by Lauren Fleshman and Roisin McGettigan-Dumas

    Send us a text Believe is primarily a tool to help runners log details of their training so they can find patterns that will help them identify what is and isn’t working in their training, but it is more than that. The Believe Training Journal also has examples of how pro runners Lauren and Ro fill in their journal, information that can help you bring your performance to the next level and quizzes to help you identify your personality traits so that you can work with them instead of against them; for example, I discovered there are two types of athletes, worriers and warriors, both can be successful, but they need to have different strategies. Lauren Fleshman found running at age 13 as an adventurous, scrappy tomboy looking for a place to belong. A top high school recruit out of California, Lauren went on to win five NCAA titles and 15 All-American honors to earn a spot in the Stanford University Hall of Fame. In her 12 years as a pro she won USA championships and international competitions, represented Team USA many times, and finished as high as 7th in the world amid many years of injuries and setbacks. Lauren’s debut book, Good for a Girl: a Woman Running in a Man’s World, was an instant New York Times Best Seller and won the William Hill Sports Book of the Year in 2023. She does public speaking, hosts Wilder Running and Writing Retreats, and her work is being utilized by schools and teams around the world. Róisín McGettigan-Dumas grew up running the beaches, trails, and roads of Wicklow, Ireland. She left home for a chance to compete in track and XC at Providence College, where she was an All-American x4. Ro competed in the steeplechase at the 2008 Olympics and was retroactively awarded the bronze medal in the 1500m from the 2009 European Indoor Championships. While she is retired from competitive running, Ro remains invested in sport as a licensed mental health counselor working with athletes, as the co-founder of the Dare to Believe Olympic education program, and as president of the Irish Olympians Association.    If you’d like to follow Ro on social media, she can be found on IG here: https://www.instagram.com/believetrainingjournal/  If you’d like to follow Lauren Fleshman, she can be found on IG here: https://www.instagram.com/fleshmanflyer/  For a copy of the book, you can find several retail outlets here: Link for 20% discount on Caffeine Bullet  https://caffeinebullet.com/RUNNINGBOOK Discount automatically applied and visible on checkout Support the show Any feedback or suggestions on this review or any of our other podcast episodes would be greatly welcomed. Leave us a review using your favorite podcast player or contact us on social media. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/runningbookreviews/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/reviews_running Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/runningbookreviews/ Podcast webpage: https://runningbookreviews.buzzsprout.com If you have been enjoying the podcast and want more, you can find some extras on our By Me a Coffee site! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/runningbookreviews

    1h 2m

  5. JUN 15

    What If?, by Ashley Varley

    Send us a text What If? Is the story of author Ash Varley’s running journey between 2016 and 2023. At 43, with years of running experience behind him, he wondered if dedication, patience, and a willingness to break free from the comfort zone could lead to the realisation of long-held running dreams. In this book he explores how he ended up running multiple sub-3 hours marathons and 100-mile trail races. Along the way he talks about surprising himself with his ability when he’s able to get out of his own way, how he is inspired mid-race by random strangers, and the importance of of being surrounded by people who believe in you.   About the Author  Ashley Varley lives with his wife in the seaside town of Hastings, East Sussex.  He works as a gardener and when he’s not helping nature grow, he’s enjoying it while running… sometimes very long distances! Since he started running several years ago, Ash has run many road and trail races varying from 10k road races to 100 milers through woods, up steep mountain trails, and sometimes across country borders. What If? Is Ash’s first book If you're looking to get a copy of the book for yourself, you can find it on Amazon here: https://a.co/d/2NX2PMa Link for 20% discount on Caffeine Bullet  https://caffeinebullet.com/RUNNINGBOOK Discount automatically applied and visible on checkout Support the show Any feedback or suggestions on this review or any of our other podcast episodes would be greatly welcomed. Leave us a review using your favorite podcast player or contact us on social media. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/runningbookreviews/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/reviews_running Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/runningbookreviews/ Podcast webpage: https://runningbookreviews.buzzsprout.com If you have been enjoying the podcast and want more, you can find some extras on our By Me a Coffee site! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/runningbookreviews

    1h 42m

  6. JUN 1

    Run Less Run Faster, by Bill Pierce and Scott Murr

    Send us a text Run Less Run Faster is a book explaining the 3plus2 training program developed by the Furman Institute of Running & Scientific Training, FIRST... and don't worry, RUN LESS doesn't mean TRAIN LESS!  The book is divided into 5 sections which cover everything from the training program, why it works and the science behind it, all the different components like strength, stretching, and cross training) and ends with a section about qualifying for the Boston marathon. The programs in this book include everything from 5k to marathon. For the beginners out there, there is a run-walk plan to get you to your first 5k run. About the Authors Bill chaired the Health Sciences Department at Furman University for three decades. He and FIRST® (Furman Institute of Running and Scientific Training) have been featured in articles in the Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Business Week, Men's Journal, and Runner's World, among others. Pierce, listed as one of 10 marathon "supercoaches" by Runner's World magazine, has made hundreds of presentations on fitness, wellness and running. He has captured age-group awards in his 250 road races and 42 marathons, finishing the Boston Marathon in five different decades. Dr. Scott Murr, Assistant Professor in the Health Sciences Department joined the Furman faculty in 1998. Scott is co-founder of the Furman Institute of Running and Scientific Training (FIRST) and is the Training Performance Director of FIRST.  Scott is co-author of Runner's World Run Less Run Faster (2012) and Runner’s World Train Smart, Run Forever (2017). Scott is a 35 year veteran in the sport of triathlon and has been running marathons even longer. Scott did his first marathon in 1982, his first triathlon in 1984 (alongside his Furman mentor Dr. Sandy “Optimal Man” Molnar), and his first ironman distance race in 1988. From marathons to cycling centuries to triathlons, Scott has competed in over 300 endurance events and is a 12 time Ironman Triathlon finisher. If you're interested in a copy of the book then you can find it here: https://a.co/d/huRLTAG Link for 20% discount on Caffeine Bullet  https://caffeinebullet.com/RUNNINGBOOK Discount automatically applied and visible on checkout Support the show Any feedback or suggestions on this review or any of our other podcast episodes would be greatly welcomed. Leave us a review using your favorite podcast player or contact us on social media. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/runningbookreviews/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/reviews_running Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/runningbookreviews/ Podcast webpage: https://runningbookreviews.buzzsprout.com If you have been enjoying the podcast and want more, you can find some extras on our By Me a Coffee site! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/runningbookreviews

    1h 38m

  7. MAY 23

    BONUS TRACK: Alan at the 2025 London Marathon

    Send us a text We haven't done one of these in a while and Alan just got back from his time in the UK for the London Marathon! ...he may have also seen some family and stuff, but you probably don't want to hear about that.  If you've been following us for a while, you know that Alan has been applying every year to try and get into the London Marathon via the lottery. He has been disappointed every single time. So how did he get in? We talk about that in this episode, along with how it went, how it compares to Boston, and how Alan was part of a Guinness World Record! Link for 20% discount on Caffeine Bullet  https://caffeinebullet.com/RUNNINGBOOK Discount automatically applied and visible on checkout Support the show Any feedback or suggestions on this review or any of our other podcast episodes would be greatly welcomed. Leave us a review using your favorite podcast player or contact us on social media. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/runningbookreviews/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/reviews_running Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/runningbookreviews/ Podcast webpage: https://runningbookreviews.buzzsprout.com If you have been enjoying the podcast and want more, you can find some extras on our By Me a Coffee site! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/runningbookreviews

    31 min

  8. MAY 15

    Alan and Liz's Running Chatter and Rundown on Books 101-110

    Send us a text Here we are again with another recap episode. Alan and Liz chat about their last ten reads: Running From Tragedy by Michael SalsburyRunning Through the Dark, by Jen ScotneyBuilt To Run, by Matthew SilverThe Ultimate Guide to Parkrun, by Lucy WaterlowThere Is No Finish, by Stephen ParkerTo The Limit, by Michael CrawleyThe Frontrunner, by Brad FawleyThe Ultimate Ultra Running Handbook, by Claire MaxtedRunning Past 50, by Caolan MacMahonA Few More Laps, by David ChalfenIf you're behind in your listening then this episode is for you. You can get a feel for each of the last 10 books we read, before going back to the episodes in order of which books you're most interested in! Link for 20% discount on Caffeine Bullet  https://caffeinebullet.com/RUNNINGBOOK Discount automatically applied and visible on checkout Support the show Any feedback or suggestions on this review or any of our other podcast episodes would be greatly welcomed. Leave us a review using your favorite podcast player or contact us on social media. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/runningbookreviews/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/reviews_running Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/runningbookreviews/ Podcast webpage: https://runningbookreviews.buzzsprout.com If you have been enjoying the podcast and want more, you can find some extras on our By Me a Coffee site! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/runningbookreviews

    1h 17m
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5
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

All types of running related books are reviewed by two non-elite track, road and trail runners. Observation and description of running books intended to inform, help and inspire anyone involved or related to running at any level. Whenever possible we chat with the author about the book, but if not then we try to do it justice. If you have been enjoying the podcast and want more, you can follow us on Facebook and Instagram. You can also go to our Buy Me A Coffee website where we have a few more posts: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/AlanandLiz  

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