Saturday, August 20, 2011

“Long May You Run” Book Review

When author, Chris Cooper, offered to send me his book to read and review, I was tentative. Although I’m an avid reader, sitting down with a book has become a luxury lately given time constraints. Plus, I have read so many running-related books in the past couple of years, I wondered what this one could have to offer that would be new and different.

Yet, this book, written in 2010, was new and different. It is a glossy-covered coffee-table-style book that is a compilation of about 100 one to two page essays. Beyond the typical headings as “Good Running Tunes” and “Good Books on Nutrition,” were the less expected subjects as “Donate Your Old Running Shoes, ” “Avoid Dog Bites,” and “You Can Finish last and Still Win This Race” (referring to a “prediction race” where the winner is not necessarily the first runner across the finish line but the one one whose actual finishing time comes closest to his or her predicted finishing time.).

What I like most about the book is it is easy to pick up and flip through. It’s not meant to be read start to finish. One of my favorite essays is entitled “You Know You’re a Runner When…” that includes such clever markers as:

  • You use “easy run” and “five miles” in the same sentence
  • Your calf muscles are bigger than your biceps

While I did learn some things from this book like how to run tangents and the best women-only races, this is not a book about paces, training and schedules. It is a broad look at running that speaks to both the experienced competitor and the recreational middle distance runner.

The hard cover book retails for $24.00, while the Kindle version is $10.99. If you want the book, I recommend the hard back version that you can pick up and look through. This would be the perfect gift for the newer runner in your life who is anxious to learn more about the ins and outs of the sport.

Brian Sell, U.S. Olympic marathoner, wrote the forward for this book and sums it up well: “This book is a great source of motivation, facts, tips and stories that can help in your quest for your next big marathon – or just get you out the door on your way to another memorable run.” 

P1100726

Have you read/heard of “Long May You Run”?

What’s the best running book you’ve come across lately and why?

Happy reading!

SUAR

17 comments:

  1. Never heard of it but I love books that I can just open and thumb through for great tid bits.

    ReplyDelete
  2. never heard of it either...looks like one I would like. The best one for me so far as far as learning things and motivation go is Run Like a Mother. The book and the FB page is what made me believe I could run a half marathon or 2 or 3...I started running just 18 mos ago and I did not know what I was doing...I still don't REALLY know what I am doing but I am better then I was :) for a book about a runner's story The Long Run is the best I have read recently.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Running and reading are my two favorite pastimes. Oh, and eating. Okay, I have a lot of hobbies - but I read and run often, but not at the same time.

    Of course "Born to Run" is a good one, and "Run Like a Mother" is a must for all women. I've recently enjoyed Marshall Uhlrich's book "Running on Empty" and Ryan Hall's "Running With Joy." I will definitely check this one out.

    Reading about running inspires me! Thanks for the tip!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I haven't heard of it but will put it in my shopping cart along with "Hot Sweaty Momas" at amazon.com! I'm excited to hear what everyone has to say their favorite running book is! I really like "Run Like A Mother!" It is such a relatable book to ladies and momma's and running! I just purchased my 1st novel on running that I heard was good..."Once A Runner." I also heard the author John "The Penguin" Bingham was good too. I will keep on.....Beth, you NEED to write us ladies a book! You have a lot of admirers!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Caroline, who is the author of The Long Run? There are a couple of books by that title. I'll put that one in my shopping cart too along with all the other requested running books here! lol

    ReplyDelete
  6. I don't have a favorite running book. I prefer to do, rather than read about.

    ReplyDelete
  7. My girlfriend read it and said she gave it a 7 out of 10. The best 2 running book i've ever read... "Ultra Marathon Man" (Dean Karnazes) and "Born to run" (Christopher McDougall. Happy reading and running everyone!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I love Dean Karnazes' book, "Ultra Marathon Man." I have all his books and have read/listened to them more than once. But I think I love Ultra Marathon Man the best cause it's what got my ass off the couch and on my trails. :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. "Long May You Run" is on sale from Amazon right now. Retail price is $24, but the current price is $9.24!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Never heard of it but I'll check it out!

    ReplyDelete
  11. I just read and really enjoyed Bart Yasso's My Life on the Run. :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. Definitely one to add to my list of books to read. My favourite: What I Talk About When I Talk About Running. I have to re-read it at least once a year, and it's always inspirational. As well as a superb piece of writing, as you'd expect from a writer of Murakami's calibre. I also loved John Hanc's "The Coolest Race on Earth".

    ReplyDelete
  13. I'm in the midst of reading Kara Goucher's Running for Women, and really like the way it's written. It's tips organized by topic, so it's easy to read when you've only got short chunks of time in which to read. I also love Run Like a Mother. They cover stuff that I haven't read about in other books, like fitting in workouts while dealing with mom guilt and the whole pooping and running issue.

    ReplyDelete
  14. At first, my favorite was Marathoning for Mortals, but then I read Run Like A Mother and that became my favorite, and then....

    ReplyDelete
  15. I flipped through this book at the store a whil eback and loved it. Loved it so much taht as soon as Borders started their going out of business sale I ran to pick up a copy. Still haven't read it but know that when I do I will love it

    ReplyDelete