Best Ultra Running Books

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ProductDescriptionFeatures
Finding Ultra, Revised and Updated Edition: Rejecting Middle Age, Becoming One of the World's Fittest Men...Dan Buettner, National Geographic
Training Essentials for Ultrarunning- Second Edition Paperback Effective, evidence-based mental skills
Mental Training for Ultrarunning PaperbackTen-time selection to the USA national team
Hal Koerner's Field Guide to Ultrarunning: Training for an Ultramarathon, from 50K to 100 Miles and Beyond Paperbackfueling and hydration guidelines
Running Your First Ultra: Customizable Training Plans for Your First 50K to 100-Mile Race: New Edition with Write-In TrainingUpdated and expanded new edition
The Rise of the Ultra Runners Audible Logo Audible – UnabridgedRise of the Ultra Runners, award-winning
Training Essentials for Ultrarunning: How to Train Smarter, Race Faster, and Maximize Your Ultramarathon Performance PaperbackElite ultrarunners have a need for speed
The Ultra Mindset Audible – UnabridgedExceptional strength, speed, or flexibility
Running Your First Ultra: Customizable Training Plans for Your First 50K to 100-mile Race PaperbackCustomizable Training Plans for Your First 50K
Ultrarunning Mysticism: Mind, Body, Spirit and the Sacredness of Overcoming Suffering PaperbackUltrarunning Mysticism, Mind, Body

1: Finding Ultra, Revised and Updated Edition: Rejecting Middle Age, Becoming One of the World’s Fittest Men…

Description

“Finding Ultra blends Rich Roll’s story of superhuman personal transformation with an amazingly practical guide to plant-based living. It’s also an enlightened manifesto for anyone wanting to transform their life.”—Dan Buettner, National Geographic Fellow and New York Times bestselling author of the Blue Zones books

“An incredible story of mental, emotional, and physical endurance.”—Michael Greger, MD, FACLM, New York Times bestselling author of How Not to Die

On the night before he was to turn forty, Rich Roll experienced a chilling glimpse of his future. Nearly fifty pounds overweight and unable to climb the stairs without stopping, he could see where his current sedentary life was taking him—and he woke up.

Plunging into a new routine that prioritized a plant-based lifestyle and daily training, Rich morphed—in a matter of mere months—from out of shape, mid-life couch potato to endurance machine. Finding Ultra recounts Rich’s remarkable journey to the starting line of the elite Ultraman competition, which pits the world’s fittest humans in a 320-mile ordeal of swimming, biking, and running. And following that test, Rich conquered an even greater one: the EPIC5—five Ironman-distance triathlons, each on a different Hawaiian island, all completed in less than a week.

One of Men’s Fitness Magazine’s “25 Fittest Men in the World,” Rich has become one of the most recognized advocates of plant-based living. In this newly revised and updated edition, he shares the practices, tools, and techniques he uses for optimal performance, longevity, and wellness, including diet and nutrition protocols. Rich reflects on the steps he took to shift his mindset and leverage deep reservoirs of untapped potential to achieve success beyond his wildest imagination, urging each of us to embark on our own journey of self-discovery.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“One of the best books about health and fitness I’ve ever read.”—Neal Barnard, MD, president of the Physician’s Committee for Responsible Medicine

“Rich Roll’s Finding Ultra is a testament to the power of the human spirit to overcome any obstacle, break down walls, and redefine what’s possible.”—John Brenkus, creator and host of ESPN’s “Sport Science” and New York Times bestselling author of The Perfection Point

“Finding Ultra is the ultimate story of hope, perseverance and endurance against life’s biggest challenges.”—William Cope Moyers, New York Times bestselling author of Broken: My Story of Addiction and Redemption

“Roll has accomplished amazing things, but it is his ability to draw inspiring and uniquely insightful lessons from his experiences that sets him apart from other extreme athletes. Finding Ultra is a fascinating read full of practical tips.”—Dean Karnazes, nationally bestselling author of Ultramarathon Man

“Finding Ultra is about a journey all take as human beings, when decide to pursue the impossible and live a life of mission. When I need to dig deeper, push harder, and find a little boost, Rich Roll is the guy who comes to mind.  He is inspiration embodied.”—Sanjay Gupta, M.D., Emmy Award-winning Chief Medical Correspondent for CNN and New York Times bestselling author of Chasing Life and Cheating Death

“You walk away from reading this book knowing you have the total power to transform your life on every level. . . . Roll is immensely likeable, a most compelling storyteller, and a true shaman of health and fitness!”—Kathy Freston, New York Times bestselling author of Quantum Wellness and Veganist

“This awesome piece of writing—one-part memoir, one-part how-to, and one part megadose of gut truth—reminds us to wake up and live our best life. Prepare to be entertained, but most of all, prepare to be inspired.”—Mel Stewart, 14-Time national champion, former world record holder, and winner of two Olympic gold medals in swimming

“I loved this.  A rare book, unusual for its honesty and willingness to bare all, that really does deserve such superlatives as ‘riveting’ and ‘compelling.’ I was moved by watching Roll conquer his demons, and felt privileged to share in his eventual enlightenment. By laying it on the line, Roll absolutely wins us over.”—Rip Esselstyn, New York Times bestselling author of The Engine 2 Diet

“An incredibly inspirational book about achieving greatness at any age through self-belief and a positive attitude. Rich Roll is a true champion of life and sport.”—Levi Leipheimer, two-time stage winner of the Tour de France and Olympic time-trial bronze medalist

2: Training Essentials for Ultrarunning- Second Edition Paperback

Features

  • Proven training strategies for beginner and experienced ultrarunners
  • Knowledge from domain experts and the latest research on all aspects of ultrarunning
  • How to train for the mountains if you are a flatlander
  • How to incorporate strength training for ultrarunning
  • Effective, evidence-based mental skills for ultrarunning
  • Protocols for training and racing in hot weather and high altitude
  • How to design, test, and execute race-day nutrition and hydration strategies
  • Train smart AND hard to make the most of your workouts, even for time-crunched ultrarunners
  • How to balance racing and training and choose the right races for you

Description

The benchmark book for ultramarathon training is back for a second edition. When elite and everyday ultrarunners alike want to improve their ultramarathon performance they turn to Coach Jason Koop for guidance and counsel. Training Essentials for Ultrarunning takes Coach Koop’s time-proven and evidenced-based methodologies that have been honed over 20 years of professional coaching and delivers them to the masses. Regardless of if you are first-time ultrarunner, a seasoned veteran, or an ultrarunning coach, this resource is a must-have for all ultrarunners.

What you will gain from this book

  • Proven training strategies for beginner and experienced ultrarunners
  • Knowledge from domain experts and the latest research on all aspects of ultrarunning
  • How to train for the mountains if you are a flatlander
  • How to incorporate strength training for ultrarunning
  • Effective, evidence-based mental skills for ultrarunning
  • Protocols for training and racing in hot weather and high altitude
  • How to design, test, and execute race-day nutrition and hydration strategies
  • Train smart AND hard to make the most of your workouts, even for time-crunched ultrarunners
  • How to balance racing and training and choose the right races for you

About the author- Jason Koop is one of the most sought-after coaches in trail and ultrarunning. He is also the Head Coach for CTS-Ultrarunning where he supervises the training and mentorship of the largest conglomerate of ultrarunning coaches in the world.

3: Mental Training for Ultrarunning Paperback

Features

  • Three-time USATF Women’s Mountain Runner of the Year (2016, 2017, 2018)
  • Three-time USATF National Champion
  • Ten-time selection to the USA national team
  • Three-time Olympic trials qualifier
  • World Mountain Running Championship Team Gold Medalist (2017)
  • Leadville 100-mile event runner-up (2018)
  • Ninth place in the Western States 100-mile event (2019)

Description

It’s no secret that if you plan to run in the toughest endurance races, you need to physically prepare for the extreme demands you will be subjecting your body to. But successful runners will be quick to note that physical preparation is only part of the equation. You need to be mentally strong to withstand, and overcome, the challenges of this grueling sport. That’s where Mental Training for Ultrarunning comes in.

Sport psychology consultant Addie Bracy has coached and provided mental performance consulting to elite athletes in many sports, and she herself has been a competitive distance runner for more than two decades. In Mental Training for Ultrarunning, she combines her firsthand coaching and running experience, along with profiles of ultrarunners who’ve experienced the highs and lows of the sport, to explain what you need to know and practice in order to cross that finish line.

In this book, you will learn tools and techniques to help you prepare for and overcome some of the biggest mental and emotional challenges you may encounter in ultrarunning. You’ll find more than 35 practical activities that will guide you in taking an introspective look at your own potential roadblocks so you can develop and strengthen the skills you need to run with confidence.

Whether you’re training for your first ultra or looking to compete at a higher level, Mental Training for Ultrarunning will prepare you for the good, the bad, and the worst experiences you might encounter on the trail, road, or track. With expert guidance from athletes who have seen it all, you’ll learn how to train your mind and anticipate all the variables that could keep you from achieving your ultimate running goals.

4: Hal Koerner’s Field Guide to Ultrarunning: Training for an Ultramarathon, from 50K to 100 Miles and Beyond Paperback

Features

  • best gear for ultrarunning
  • fueling and hydration guidelines
  • choosing an ultra
  • trail-running technique
  • first-aid advice
  • beating altitude, storms, and heat
  • race-day game plans
  • crew and pacer tips
  • mental strategies to get you to the finish line

Description

Ultramarathons don’t leave much room for mistakes. Don’t learn the hard way; get a jump on training for an ultramarathon with Hal Koerner’s Field Guide to Ultrarunning, a comprehensive guide to running 30 to 100 miles and beyond, written by one of the most experienced athletes in the sport.

Hal Koerner is among America’s top ultrarunners with podium results in more than 90 ultramarathons. In his smart, down-to-earth Field Guide, Koerner shares hard-earned wisdom, field-tested habits and practices, and reliable tips and guidelines to help you prepare for your most epic runs. You will read engaging stories of Koerner’s own training and racing as well as insights and practical advice on trail running technique, proper fueling, race day game plans, and key mental strategies to carry you to the finish line. The guide offers three detailed training plans to prepare for 50K, 50-mile to 100K, and 100-mile ultramarathons.

5: Running Your First Ultra: Customizable Training Plans for Your First 50K to 100-Mile Race: New Edition with Write-In Training Journal Paperback

***Updated and expanded new edition***

An Updated, Interactive Guide to Take Your Running to the Next Level

With 20 years of running and competing around the world under her belt, Krissy Moehl is a top female ultramarathon runner, respected by her peers and an inspiration to runners everywhere. With enhanced chapter information, quotes from pillars in the sport and her updated training plans―including write-in running logs to keep track of progress―you’ll be able to train for your first ultra like a pro.

Moehl’s experience translates into the most effective and easy-to-follow training method, broken down into phases to help all runners take it to the next level and accomplish their goals. She will guide you on everything from choosing the right race for you to injury prevention and picking the right gear. She also shares her love of the sport by providing helpful tips, bonus content and personal stories. With this book, you will find all the resources and encouragement you need to succeed in challenging your mind and body with an ultramarathon!

6: The Rise of the Ultra Runners Audible Logo Audible – Unabridged

The Rise of the Ultra Runners

Description

Once the reserve of only the most hardcore enthusiasts, ultra running is now a thriving global industry, with hundreds of thousands of competitors each year. But is the rise of this most brutal and challenging sport – with races that extend into hundreds of miles, often in extreme environments – an antidote to modern life, or is it a symptom of a modern illness? 

In The Rise of the Ultra Runners, award-winning author Adharanand Finn travels to the heart of the sport to investigate the reasons behind its rise and discover what it takes to join the ranks of these ultra athletes. Through encounters with the extreme and colorful characters of the ultramarathon world, and his own experiences of running ultras everywhere from the deserts of Oman to the Rocky Mountains, Finn offers a fascinating account of people testing the boundaries of human endeavor.

7: Training Essentials for Ultrarunning: How to Train Smarter, Race Faster, and Maximize Your Ultramarathon Performance Paperback

Description

When elite ultrarunners have a need for speed, they turn to coach Jason Koop. Now the sport’s leading coach makes his highly effective ultramarathon training methods available to ultrarunners of all abilities in his book Training Essentials for Ultrarunning.

Ultramarathoners have traditionally piled on the miles or tried an approach that worked for a friend. Yet ultramarathons are not just longer marathons; simply running more will not prepare you for the race experience you want. Ultramarathon requires a new and specific approach to training. Training Essentials for Ultrarunning will revolutionize training for those who want to race an ultramarathon instead of just gutting it out to the finish line.

Koop’s race-proven ultramarathon program is based on sound science, the most current research, and years of experience coaching the sport’s star runners to podium performances. Packed with practical advice and vetted training methods, Training Essentials for Ultrarunning is the new, must-have resource for first-timers and ultramarathon veterans.

Runners using Training Essentials for Ultrarunning will gain much more than Koop’s training approach:

· The science behind ultramarathon performance.

· Common ultramarathon failure points and how to solve them.

· How to use interval training to focus workouts, make gains, reduce injuries, and race faster.

· Simple, effective fueling and hydration strategies.

· Koop’s A.D.A.P.T. method for making the right decisions to solve a race-day crisis.

· How to plan your ultra season for better racing.

· Course-by-course coaching guides to iconic U.S. ultramarathons including American River 50, Badwater 135, Hardrock 100, Javelina 100, JFK 50, Lake Sonoma 50, Leadville 100, Vermont 100, Wasatch 100, and Western States 100.

· How to achieve your goal, whether it’s finishing or winning.

A revolution is coming to ultrarunning as ultramarathoners shed old habits and embrace the smarter methods that science and experience show are better. Featuring stories and advice from ultrarunning stars Dakota Jones, Kaci Lickteig, Dylan Bowman, Timothy Olson, and others who work with Koop, Training Essentials for Ultrarunning is the go-to guide for first-time ultrarunners and competitive ultramarathoners.

Review

Ultrarunning Magazine’s TOP PICK

“Training Essentials for Ultrarunning is a breakthrough work that brings together sound scientific principles and years of coaching experience to create the definitive training manual of our time.” ― Dean Karnazes, ultrarunner and author of Ultramarathon Man

“Jason Koop masterfully communicates complex science in a way that everyone can understand. So if you’re looking for a technical guide to ultras, look no further than Training Essentials for Ultrarunning.” – Bryon Powell, founder of iRunFar.com and author of Relentless Forward Progress

“The best training manual ever written for our sport…Never before has the science of running ultra distances been evaluated and explored in the way that Koop does it in this book…This book may revolutionize how train for and race long distances…In a word, Training Essentials for Ultrarunning is brilliant.” ― Ultrarunning magazine

“Jason Koop is one of ultrarunning’s most successful coaches.” ― TrailRunner magazine

“Follow the principles Koop outlines and you will not only run your ultra, but own it as well.” ― American Trail Running Association

“Training Essentials for Ultrarunning is a look inside the mind of the guy responsible for getting the world’s best ultrarunners to the podium.” ― Outside

“A scientific and performance-oriented approach to ultra training and racing… Invaluable for any level of running.” ― Competitor

“Many ultrarunners don’t train with a coach [because] most coaches have not raced 100 miles. Not so for Koop, who is an ultramarathon vet and understands what it takes to succeed.” ― Elevation Outdoors

“Training Essentials for Ultrarunning is best for intermediate to advanced ultrarunners looking for science-driven information and in-depth explanations of training concepts.” ― TrailRunner magazine

“Everyone has an inexhaustible well of grit, guts, and determination, but great training helps, too. If you want to come to Leadville and succeed, Training Essentials for Ultrarunning is a book you need to read.”

8: The Ultra Mindset Audible Logo Audible – Unabridged

The Ultra Mindset

Description

Travis Macy has summited glacial peaks in the French Alps, rappelled into limestone caves in China, and raced through parched deserts in Utah. In 2013 he famously won the Leadman Series, a combination of nearly 300 miles of high-altitude trail running and mountain biking over the course of five epic endurance races. Macy achieved all of these victories without elite professional training or even exceptional strength, speed, or flexibility. His secret? A precise outlook he calls the “ultra mindset”, a set of simple principles for daily life that includes embracing fear, rewriting the stories tell ourselves, and mastering the art of asking for help.

By practicing these principles in all areas of life, anyone can successfully achieve goals that might have otherwise seemed impossible.

9: Running Your First Ultra: Customizable Training Plans for Your First 50K to 100-mile Race Paperback

Description

Take Your Training to New Heights with This One-Stop Manual on Ultras

With fifteen years running and competing around the world under her belt, Krissy Moehl is a top female ultramarathon runner, respected by her peers and an inspiration to runners everywhere. Between Moehl’s positive and encouraging attitude and her deep knowledge and enthusiasm for the sport, there’s no one better to prepare and train you for your first ultra and beyond!

Moehl will become your guide to completing a 50K, 50-mile or 100-mile race. Her experience translates into the most effective and easy-to-follow training method, broken down into phases to help all runners take it to the next level and accomplish their goals. She shares her love of the sport by providing helpful tips, bonus content and personal stories. Her commitment to growing the sport and passion for coaching others running their first is evident in the care she’s taken to create detailed plans and lifestyle adjustments. With Moehl, you will find all the resources and encouragement you need to succeed in challenging your mind and body with an ultramarathon!

Review

“Krissy is the ideal person to guide and encourage you towards your first ultra. Her book will give you the support you need so that you can enjoy each step of your journey.” ―Lizzy Hawker, five-time Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc champion and author of RUNNER

“Krissy brings a level-headed approach to a bombast sport. If I could trust one person to guide me toward my goals, it would be Krissy, no question.” ―Jenn Shelton, previous 100-mile trail record holder

“There is no one I’d trust more to advise me about running than Krissy Moehl. Personally, professionally and athletically, no one is more accomplished and revered.” ―Christopher McDougall, author of bestsellers BORN TO RUN and NATURAL BORN HEROES

10: Ultrarunning Mysticism: Mind, Body, Spirit and the Sacredness of Overcoming Suffering Paperback

Description

Ultrarunning Mysticism: Mind, Body, Spirit and the Sacredness of Overcoming Suffering uses science, ultrarunners’ experiences, and philosophy to explore how endurance runners create exceptionally unique experiences for themselves through their sport. Many cultures have used endurance running as a way to attain enlightenment, connect with their surroundings, and become a part of something greater than themselves. Traditional and modern accounts of mysticism in religion and philosophy provide foundations for experiences that are considered mystical, and those foundations are demonstrated throughout the book using athletes’ personal stories. Research is showing that mental toughness, environmental effects, changes in neurochemistry, and activation in less-used areas of the brain create unique states that some consider spiritual. Research in neurotheology shows that meditation, and potentially active meditation such as endurance running, can create profound feelings of oneness and a sense of sacredness that transcends the experiencer to new levels of connection and understanding.

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