Training guides
There are hundreds of training guides out there but here is a selection of ones which I have used myself and found helpful.
Running Made Easy – Susie Whalley and Lisa Jackson (Collins and Brown, 2008)
This is a book I got when I first started running and is one I always recommend to people if they are starting running. It has information on a range topics, including kit and equipment you’ll need to get started, different types of training sessions you can do, information about racing, real-life stories about people who have started running, and lots more. All of this is presented in a really easy to read way, designed to make running feel accessible to anyone.
The Complete Book of Running for Women – Claire Kowalchik (Pocket Books, 1999)
I think I picked this up in a charity shop years ago, and while some of it is probably out of date it is a good starting point for anyone wanting to know about topics affecting female runners. Along with general topics such as injury prevention and strength training it provides information on areas such as menstruation and running, running during pregnancy and body image.
The Runner’s World Big Book of Marathon and Half-Marathon Training – Jennifer Van Allen, Bart Yasso and Amby Burfoot (Rodale, 2012)
If you are planning to start running longer distances, such as half or full marathons then I would highly recommend this book. It contains information on a range of topics such as the types of training you’ll want to be doing, including training plans, nutrition and hydration over longer distances and injury prevention and treatment.
Injury prevention and treatment
Let’s face it – at some point most runners will pick up an injury. Injuries are always so frustrating but with the right treatment you can generally be back on track fairly quickly. Here are a couple of books I use to understand injuries better.
Running Free of Injuries: From Pain to Personal Best – Paul Hobrough (Bloomsbury, 2016)
This is a brilliant book which contains detailed information on a wide range of common running injuries and how to assess and treat them. It also contains lots of photos illustrating different prehab and rehabilitation exercises.
The Runner’s Expert Guide to Stretching: Prevent Injury, Build Strength and Enhance Performance – Paul Hobrough (Bloomsbury, 2020)
This is another brilliant book by Paul Hobrough which contains a wealth of information on topics such as the importance of stretching and flexibility, how to assess your strength and flexibility, and examples of strength and flexibility exercises to do. The book is illustrated throughout with clear photographs, making it easy to replicate the exercises yourself.