Just wondered what people's thoughts were on what the best runner's autobiography for me to pop out and buy this lunchtime would be. I've never actually read any despite 18 years in the sport and thought it would be about time as I've finish my current read.
In terms of interest, inspiration and current availabilty and bearing in mind I'm British so not one that would be mainly of interest to the American running fraternity. Would be grateful for recommendations.
great made-up titles in the previous post.
"Why Die, the Percy Cerutty Story" is fantastic.
a very good read.
the unforgiving minute by ron clarke (autobiography)
a cold clear day the biography of buddy edelin by frank murphy
anne audain's autobiography --- uncommon heart
I'd second the Buddy Edelen book... I also liked 'The Impossible Hero' Gordon Pirie and 'Perfect Mile' Coe/Ovett.
Randy send your friend in England an email, he's lost your address and has been dealing witha friend of yours recently.
Ron Hill: The long hard road part II, to the top and beyond.
Pre's biography by Tom Jordan(?) was the first running book I've read and it got my very interested in the sport and Pre of course.
Geb's recent biography is great as well. It takes you back to when he and Komen and Tergat were basically at war with each other, taking turns breaking the 5km and 10km records constantly.
My other favorite runnings books are "Running with the Buffaloes", "Sub 4", "Running Within", "Running with the Champions" and of course "Once a Runner".
Dick Beardsley's was very inspirational. The first half will have you chomping at the bit to go out and put in some serious mileage.
Sorry, I just noticed the part about you not looking for runner's primarily of interest to Americans. While I still think Beardsley's bio is a great read (and he did tie for a win at the London Marathon one year, I think), it might not be what you're looking for.
Brendan Foster's autobiography is a good read, full of useful information. You will need to search the second hand bookshops though.
Anne Audain's book was 276 pages of her whining about her coach. There were some interesting stories, but overall I found it somewhat annoying.
Start with Dick Beardsley's book.
Hi
from one brit to another id recommend Kelly Holmes-Black White and Gold.i thought it was brilliant. Interesting read focusing on her life as well as her running so its not just about one race after another after another.
Also thought Colin Jacksons was a good read and considoring hes my idol i was very interested. It really went into his races and his life outside athletics everything he sacrificed, friends who turned to enemys and his view on drugs. I really enjoyed it and would recommend it as its my favourite autobiography.
Ive also read Paula Radcliffs but i must say I found it really boring. I started from her first race and described every one until the most recent. It felt more of a book of her results so i didnt really enjoy it.
'Running the Distance' Jack Buckner
'Running Wild' Gordon Pirie
'The Impossible Hero' Gordon Pirie by Dick Booth
'A Clean Pair of Heels' Murray Halberg
'No Bugles No Drums' Peter Snell
'The Unforgiving Minute' Ron Clarke
another hurdle (david hemery)
dave bedford story
kiwis can fly (ivan agnew)
deke
golds aren't easy (dick taylor)
legend of lovelock (norman harris)
arthur's boys
zat-o-pek
Not a runner, but possibly the most stunning ultra-distance athlete ever: "Swimming to Antarctica", the athletic autobiography of Lynne Cox. I will never, ever bitch about winter weather again.
Note: The title is NOT a metaphor.
Can you tell me more about the Bedford and Zatopek books? Author, publisher, etc? I've been looking for those two for several years. Those are probably the only two biographies I don't have...
Cheers.
james coote wrote the dave bedford story
hope it works this time...
zat-o-pek...bob phillips
I liked Marty Liquori's biography that details his quest for the high school sub-4 through match-ups with Bayi and eventual 5K career with Athletics West. A good read, but I can't recall the name of the book right now.
Athletic Attic. Liquori never ran for Athletics West.
On the Run: in search of the perfect race
You're right about AW. Mixing up my runners. But the book is a good one nonetheless.
wtf wrote:
Athletic Attic. Liquori never ran for Athletics West.
On the Run: in search of the perfect race