As you start to prepare for the spring/summer racing season you might be looking to add something new to your training plan.  There’s a number of training books out there that can help you.  Below I’ve listed my favorites – if you haven’t read these, put them at the top of your spring reading list!

1) Daniels’ Running Formula by Jack Daniels
This is the best training book out there for the general public.  It has great scientific information but is still easy to understand and use.  Daniels does a great job explaining the basis for his training and also provides specific training plans for a variety of distances.  The VDOT tables are perfect for figuring out what paces you should be doing your training at.

2) Running with Lydiard by Arthur Lydiard
If you’ve heard anything about endurance training and periodization much of this book will sound familiar – and that’s because it all started here.  But it’s worth reading to see how much people have changed what Lydiard originally recommended. The man who started it all still has great information to share, and getting back to basics may be just what your running needs!

3) Better Training for Distance Runners by David Martin and Peter Coe
This one can get pretty technical, but it has some of the best information out there about what’s happening on a physiological level with distance training.  I probably only understand about 10% of what I read in this book, but that 10% still makes it essential to my coaching.

4) Road to the Top by Joe Vigil
Vigil is the best distance coach that America has ever produced.  He trains his athletes old-school, and this book does a great job of describing the amount and intensity of running that is necessary to produce great results.  You’ll have to flip back and forth through the chapters to get the complete picture of how he operates, but all the information’s there.

5) Running Within by Jerry Lynch and Warren Scott
This book focuses on the mental side of training – an area a lot of us ignore.  It provides great visualization strategies as well as routines to help calm pre-race nerves and to approach running and racing in a positive way.  Every chapter has great information that can help any runner looking to improve their performance.

So, now I want to know… What’s your favorite running book? Be sure to share your favorite running literature in the comment section below.

Tags: coach carl, coaching advice, running, running literature