Run Strong, Stay Hungry: 9 Keys to Staying in the Race

by Jonathan Beverly

In Run Strong, Stay Hungry, Jonathan Beverly reveals the secrets of veteran racers who are still racing fast and loving the sport decades after they got their start. Beverly taps 50 lifetime runners—from America’s elite to consistent local competitors—to reveal the 9 keys to run strong and stay fast. Run Strong, Stay Hungry features priceless guidance from Bill Rodgers, Deena Kastor, Pete Magill, Joan Benoit Samuelson, Roger Robinson, Colleen De Reuck, Dave Dunham, Kathrine Switzer, and dozens more.

Drawing from lessons learned over their 4 million lifetime running miles, Beverly finds that these lifetime competitors offer dozens of specific, creative strategies and solutions you can try right now. You’ll find inspiration and guidance to power up your running with the best ways to train, race, recover, avoid injuries, and stay motivated. You’ll tap into the powerful habits and mind-sets formed over 1,000 marathons, hundreds of major race wins, 40 Olympic Games, and dozens of American and world records.

Run Strong, Stay Hungry explores 9 ways any runner can enjoy a lifelong, healthy running career as well as boost enjoyment of running and improve race performance. These keys will not only keep you on your feet, but they will also open up new opportunities and challenges that will keep you engaged with the sport, whether you’re winning races or finishing in the middle of the pack, cranking out 100-mile weeks or squeezing miles into your busy schedule. Beverly busts myths that have held masters runners back and gives direction to help both beginning runners and those who have run for decades.

Get a 20-year head start on obstacle-proofing your racing—or reboot your running career—with this insightful new guide for anyone who loves to run.

Genres: Sports, Nonfiction, Fitness

274 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 21, 2017

Reviews

[Two Readers in Love · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The beauty of the morning and the radiance of noon are good, but it would be a very silly person who drew the curtains and turned on the light in order to shut out the tranquility of the evening." - W. Somerset Maugham, "The Summing Up" quoted in the Introduction.

This book is ostensibly about running, but has some solid advice about the constant renewal required for successful aging in all areas of life. I had a coach once who had us run hill sprints on tired legs. She'd tell us, "You ran 5 miles to get here, to the starting line -- don't waste this moment!" The first laps of a new love are wonderful, but mature love is worth all the running you did to get to the real starting line. This book offers ample examples of this phenomena to apply to your own challenges.

[Terzah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nearing my 45th birthday and weighed down my a couple of nagging injuries, I'm very interested in learning the ways strong older athletes have continued in the sport as they age and slow down. This books seems more geared to those who in their youth were truly fast, but nonetheless there are good tips here for the adult-onset runner who is also looking to the future. That future need not be bleak, say Beverly and his roster of star interviewees. I found their list of tips for physical and mental stamina very helpful.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Disclaimer is that I know, either from Internet message board or in several cases actual life, a decent number of the lifelong competitive runners he interviewed for this book. Biased or not, though, I found this a great book and very inspiring. Lots of practical suggestions for your training but also perspectives on how you can adapt emotionally to the inevitability of getting slower with aging.

Mixes in psychological theory/research when relevant in discussing motivation, learned optimism, etc. Author has quite a bit to draw on from his own racing career and high school coaching as well, but for the most part stays focused on the interviewees.

Many of them are regular mortals, some highly successful but not household names, and some legends who have stayed active in the sport as well (Joan Benoit Samuelson, Bill Rodgers, Deena Kastor......).

[Bree Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Run Strong Stay Hungry is a must-read for those who want to continue running competitively and healthily through their entire lives.

Beverly conducted interviews with runners who have been competing their whole lives, many of them currently in their seventies. He delves into what it takes to continue running -- both mentally and physically as we age.

Even if you aren't a runner, this is an excellent book on the mental aspect of continuing to push for goals and achievements, even when your body says you can't. I found the chapters on adaptability the most intriguing and beneficial.

[Mark Mazelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jonathan Beverly turns to running legends Deena Kastor, Bill Rodgers and Amby Burfoot, and deep thinkers like Jung, Fromm and Fukuyama in an effort to explore 9 keys to enjoying a lifetime of running. It was a very inspiring read!

[Kristen Iworsky · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read for all my runner friends.

[Alexandria · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not for me. Not very motivational.

[Stuart Sellers · Rating 3 out of 5]

Probably aimed at people a little older than me, but pulled a few tips out of it.

[Phillip Daniel · Rating 2 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️/5: An intriguing look into what makes runners lifelong runners. “If you can fill the unforgiving minute with sixty seconds worth of distance run, yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it…”