What book am I missing?

I don't know what level of running you're at, or what level you aspire to, but if you're really serious about training, I recommend "Running with the Legends," by Michael Sandrock. It's one thing to get formulas and explanations, and it's another to get real-life details of how top runners really train. (In that regard, I would caution against relying on "Lore of Running," which seems to understate the training of a number of runners, including Frank Shorter.)

I agree that training books eventually say the same thing after a while. However, one book that I read that was new and refreshing was Running Within. The book doesn't include a lot of information about training principles, but it does a great job of helping the reader train his or her mind so that it doesn't get in the way of the body during a race. I think that you can read all the training books you want, but if you can't stay relaxed and focused in a race, you won't run to the best of your ability.

A few others worth mentioning...

Take the Lead, by Scott Simmons and Will Freeman.

http://www.eliterunning.com/blog/2006/07/06/105/

Advanced Marathoning, by Pete Pfitzinger and Scott Douglas.

http://www.humankinetics.com/products/showproduct.cfm?isbn=0736034315

I'll second both Running Within & Advanced Marathoning

Pick up Canova and Arcelli's marathoning book. It's only like $10 and is the one of the best books out there. It's refreshing b/c it's not the same old junk.

One of the best books I have found for the serious runner or coach is "Distance Running" by Robert Lyden.

http://www.runningnetwork.com/productreviews/distancerunningbookDec04.html

What is the name of the book you speak of with Canova & Arcelli? I have never seen this book and would be interested in what it has to offer. Any information would be great. Thanks.

Go to the Iaaf site and it's on their list of books. E-mail them and they'll give you the info on how to get it.

Well worth the money. It's a small book, only around 100 pages maybe, but quality info and is not the same old stuff that is in every other book published on training.

It's specific to marathon training,but in my opinion (and I'm tough on training books) it is one of the very few must read books for coaches.

I suggest "Running Within".

I am reading it now, and the mental exercises the book suggest work very well on developing the mental toughness necessary in order to compete at your best. I heard about the book through the BroJos support of it, and I really enjoy it. I have suggested it to many of my teammates because of the benefits I have already gained from the book, and there is a wait for the next in line to read it among my teammates.

quit reading start training

Atlas Shrugged

by Ayn Rand

Carnivore 69 wrote:

Atlas Shrugged

by Ayn Rand

Try THE FOUNTAINHEAD. That's a good book, but it might take a little longer than Atlas Shrugged.

Run to the Top, Running the Lydiard Way, or Running With Lydiard (the first two are out of print). They make more sense when combined with the Lydiard Foundation pdf files and commentary here by Nobby, HRE, Glenn McCarthy, et al.

Lore of Running (4th Ed). Will teach you the nuts & bolts of how your body works in a way that's literally not available anywhere else. His rejection of altitude training, VO2 Max and lactate threshhold are sure ways to start arguments!