Running Well: Run Smarter, Run Faster, Avoid Injury... and Enjoy It More!

by Sam Murphy

'Running Well' shows runners how to minimise the risks of injury and other problems by showing the difference between training and straining, avoiding overtraining, varying speed and distance, keeping the running muscles strong and supple and honing technique.

Genres: Nonfiction, Health, Reference

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 10, 2008

Reviews

[Bonnie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not exactly a gripping read but a very good reference book. Would have been nice to have years ago when I started running.

[Tamara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I hope I can put some of the suggestions into practice as I work to improve my running! Oh my!!!

[Chrisanne · Rating 2 out of 5]

I usually tell people that I'll read anything but horror. I may have to amend that statement. :)

[Kevin Casto · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book on how to return to running. I have not run for years due to injuries and this book has a wealth of insight on running.

[Jake · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good overall tips, and it's helpful to hear what the real consensus on a lot of these topics are (spoiler alert, there usually isn't one!)

[Ed · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very useful set of advice for those changing their running or troubleshooting an injury.
Would recommend on the shelf of any runner.

[Heather Carter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is full of good information, from assessing footwear to preventing and recovering from injury. It also includes stretches and warm-up and cool-down exercises to do before and after runs, and on days off.
In some areas I found that the author tried to put too much information in too little space; I think the book could have benefited from being a handful of pages longer so that she could go into greater detail in a few areas. Overall, though, I found this book an interesting read and I picked up some new information to add to my training program. Highly recommended, particularly for new runners!

[Ci · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is user-friendly, heavy with photos and diagrams. The diagrams include a flow-chart for self-diagnosis of running injuries. There is also a good section on the anatomy highlight the areas of major impact and injuries. For beginners, this book is a cheerful and useful guide. My only complaints that some of the photos of this book show clear-heel strike and over-striding. Perhaps they look really impressive in the photographic way, but they do not look perfect from a bio-mechanican point of view.

[Michelle Moses · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'd give it a hundred stars if it actually made me run. Lol.

Seriously, though, I have always hated running, yet I've often wanted to do it. From the first time I picked up this book, I understood why I hate running.... My form is incorrect, I don't run consistently enough and when I do, I try to go longer than I should. When I finally get into running (some day!) I will have a much firmer grasp on what I'm getting into, thanks to this book.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

I swear reading Proust is making me weaker. Hopefully a running book will help me to regain my vigor.

One of the issue's I've got so far is that it was written by Englishwomen, and since my boss's boss is English I keep hearing her voice in my head reading out all the words. So we'll see how this goes....

[Kirsten · Rating 5 out of 5]

I actually finished this like a month ago, and forgot to mark it as read.

This was a GREAT book on the mechanics of running, how to prevent injury, what to eat to fuel yourself, and how to recover from injury if it happens. Lots of good photos of stretches and exercises. Definitely highly recommended/

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't read this book word for word because there is a section about after you get specific injuries what you should do and that is useful but more so just in that situation. I think this book has a lot of useful tips for avoiding injuries and making it your best run!

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent advice on injury, training, etc.

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

A well-done, common sense guide to running. The only drawback is the measurements are metric because it was published in Canada.

[Andy Nieradko · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent resource. Packed with useful, easily understood information, and many valuable stretches/exercises.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written and informative, by two intelligent, experienced, and insightful professional experts. I am pleased to have this to refer to.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a college textbook written by a PT. I'm keeping it for reference for exercises and injuries and so forth.

[Bear · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as comprehensive as the Runner's World version.

[C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good information.