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Comment by GuiA | Hacker News Reader

If you enjoyed this article and are unacquainted with the world of running, I highly recommend the book "Born to Run" by Christopher McDougall.

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As a mere recreational jogger, what's there to know about running?

There isn't. But it is an interesting book. It's about barefoot/natural running btw.

I'm not sure how you can say there isn't anything to know about running. Volumes upon volumes of books, magazines, and articles have been written about every aspect of running, from training and nutrition guides to novels and short stories.

There's no need to know that any of this even exists in order to enjoy running, that's part of running's beauty. But there's lots to know if you want to.

p.s. I should add that Born to Run is an interesting read about a part of running that lots of runners don't know much about.

We're in agreement. I should have worded it as: there isn't anything a recreational jogger needs from running books in order to enjoy and even get decent at running. Not to say running books are completely useless, but most of the things you could get from them are better learned from experience or passed down by a coach/trainer. Exception: Running magazines (or any magazine for that matter) are only there to entertain you and sell you things. Another exception: if buying running accessories/books helps motivate you, go for it, but I don't think I really needed anything more than a running journal/log.

Another really good running book for those still following along: Once a Runner -- http://www.amazon.com/Once-Runner-John-L-Parker/dp/091529701...

I haven't bought a running magazine in 25 years, I suppose. But reviews of running shoes could be useful, I thought. And they carried schedules of races.

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