Better Runs: 25 Years' Worth of Lessons for Running Faster and Farther

by Joe Henderson, Jeff Galloway (Foreword)

Offers advice to runners of all abilities on various topics, including tips for workouts, scheduling, pacing, diet, racing, and running shoes.

Genres: Fitness

247 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1995

About the author

Joe Henderson is a former US runner, a running coach and writer.

Reviews

[David Allen Hines · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a collection of running writer Joe Henderson's columns, most from the late 80s and 1990s. Some of them are little dated now but because Henderson writes from a humanist perspective, many of his thoughts and observations are just as relevant today as when he wrote them. Because this is a book of columns, you can read a bit here and there and take time and enjoy the book as I did. In this era of internet snippets and dumbed-down American magazines, the writing world would benefit from more writers today like Joe Henderson! I hate to pick on Runners World magazine but the quality of writing in today's magazine is a bare shadow of what it was when Henderson, Dr. George Sheehan and others wrote its columns. Joe Henderson is one of the great running writers and anyone who enjoys thinking and feeling about running will enjoy his books and this book.

[Dustin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I try to read a running book at least once a year. Found this one at Goodwill for $1.00. Some chapters were better than others.

[Endakiernan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good information in this book, but some of it is slightly outdated.

[Teri · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought this book was a little boring. It was written in the 90s so I thought some of it was a little outdated. I guess I like reading books about running that include more recent research. It did have a section that I resonated with; the author listed things that he gets to look forward to in the future as a runner, including:

-Running in outlandish weather - be it windy, rainy, snowy, cold, or hot. (I remember the day I had welts on my face the day after getting caught in a storm with sleet and hail.)

- Getting over an injury and getting back to normal weather. (I'm finally getting over my IT band issues, when I fell today and hurt my ankle.)

- Taking a day off after earning it with a good run. (I love relishing in my soreness on Sundays after my Saturday long runs.)

[Hope Mullins · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my second running title I finished. I liked Joe’s communicative writing style, it makes me feel like he’s here talking to me. I loved the inserts of snippets from runner’s life experiences! It was a refreshing difference to read about people who love to run as much as I do.
The little blurb about cheating shocked and surprised me. I don’t think I really thought cheating in running was a thing. But I felt angry for the people who missed out because of the cheater.
I can see myself reading all of Joe’s books and adding them to my library.

[Mike Dunn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now that I am older and slower I appreciate Joe Henderson more. He has a lot of insights gained from
a long running and racing career.

[Rick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good perspective from a master's runner. I cannot accept some of his input [today's shoes aren't as good as the old days? give me a break!] but I also picked up some good pointers.

[Carrie LeAnne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I always get something out of any book about running. This one had some good thoughts and truisms. A bit out-dated though since it was written in 1999.

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

My knowledge was expanded. Mission accomplished!

[Jan · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars