The more I run, the more I want to know about running. This obsession has led me to be a huge consumer of running media, whether it be in films, books, or podcasts.
My obsession with learning about running began with my first marathon. I remember finding Hal Higdon’s “Marathoning: The Ultimate Training Guide” as I prepared for running Grandma’s in 2018 and using it as my training bible. As I ran, I started listening to podcasts and audiobooks that would keep me motivated as I logged all the miles, and that has slowly morphed into listening or reading running related material ALL THE TIME. It keeps me informed, motivated, and engaged during my runs and helps to pass the time when I’m not out pounding the pavement, but doing the more mundane things; like grocery shopping, driving, or folding clothes
Actually, prepping for this blog post was incredibly hard, but even I was overwhelmed looking at my list. So, in order to limit some decision paralysis, I’ve narrowed it down to a few podcast and book recommendations that fall into several categories.
PODCASTS:
Local Favorites:
Gearing Up For Grandma’s: Okay, this one is an obvious choice. Not only does it center around the race we all love, but it shares personal stories, provides training advice, and gives a behind the scenes look at Grandmas.
The Duluth Rundown: Hosted by local runners, Mike Ward (of Duluth Timing and Events) and Tony Stensland (the coach of the official Grandma’s Marathon training group). This podcast reports results of local running events, provides trail conditions, offers running tips, and interviews local athletes. My favorite aspect of the podcast is that their love of Duluth and the running scene is evident in each episode.
For The Love of Duluth: now this isn’t a running podcast, although they have one episode delving into Grandma’s Marathon with Zach Schneider, the Public Relations and Marketing Director of Grandma’s. Tom Jamison and Yvonne Myers interview local business owners, entrepreneurs, and fellow Duluthians about everything from breweries and restaurants to life as a musician or zoo worker. Each episode provides an insight into the community we love, as well as is the perfect length for a mid week run-45 minutes.
Science of Running:
Run to the Top: This podcast is hosted by Finn Melanson (if you’re a trail junkie, he also hosts the Singletrack Podcast) and features Runner’s Connect coaches discussing every aspect of running imaginable. The discuss their experiences, feature experts in the space, and generally keep their episodes fairly succinct (under an hour).
Strength Running: Jason Fitzgerald is the powerhouse coach behind this podcast. Not only does he impart the wisdom he’s gleaned through his training and coaching, but he also features experts in various running related fields.
Huberman Lab: No, this is not a running podcast. However, it offers insights on a ton of subjects that can not only improve your running, but your life in general. Andrew Huberman is a neuroscientist with a seemingly insatiable curiosity and a wide range of guests. He covers topics ranging from mental health, to cold exposure, to fitness recommendations. One thing to note is his podcast is long form (generally over two hours), so it’s perfect to listen to on those long run days.
The Koopcast: Jason Koop, author of Training Essentials for Ultra Running, is the host of this science based podcast. Each episode focuses on a different topic to help you excel in your training. Even though it is hosted by an ultra running coach, most of the material is applicable to those athletes focusing on the marathon distance and shorter.
You’ll usually catch me with earbuds in, listening to a podcast
Celebrity/Elite Runners:
Nobody Asked Us: Des Linden and local hero, Kara Goucher, host this one, which sounds more like a discussion between friends (albeit really fast friends). Episodes are usually focused on hot topics in the running space, but also feature personal stories and insights.
For the Long Run: Jonathan Levitt hosts this podcast featuring the who’s who of endurance running. Top athletes in the sport are interviewed to determine what keeps them running. Each interview focuses not only on a different athlete or coach, but on a more individualized topic such as finding community, overcoming adversity, or tackling a new challenge.
C Tolle Run: another Minnesota favorite, Carrie Tollefson interviews celebrity guests each episode of her podcast. She talks with a wide range of athletes from Olympic Marathoners to back of the packers motivating others through their running journey.
Randomness (May not be for everyone):
Ten Junk Miles: hosted by Scott Kummer. TJM has three different podcast formats. The first is the gang show which usually features Scotty, Ed Pedroza, Kerri Maess and a guest of some sort. These shows are always random, usually pretty raunchy, contain quite a bit of swearing, off color jokes, and often digress from running topics. However, I find them pretty hilarious and they usually make my long runs seem shorter. The second type are the long run episodes. These consist of Scott interviewing a guest (someone in the running space) about aspects of their lives that you usually don’t hear in other podcast interviews. These are also long form shows, so they can last you for a long run workout. The final type are the Meet the Nation episodes. Scott calls members/listeners of the TJM nation and conducts a shorter interview, which are perfect for a quick recovery run or a morning strength session.
Some Work All Play: Ok, this one is hosted by the incredibly energetic and slightly zany Megan and David Roche. They are top level coaches in the ultrarunning space who address “sexy science” topics, give frequent hot takes, and work to uplift all athletes. Forewarning-they have a crude sense of humor, frequently swear, and may not be everyone’s cup of tea.
BOOKS:
Training:
Marathon: The Ultimate Training Guide by Hal Higdon. I think most endurance runners have heard of Hal Higdon. I used his training plans for my first few marathons. This book is one of the best selling marathon training books of all time, and is chock full of information that can get you across your first finish line.
80/20 Running by Matt Fitzgerald. I have to admit I am a huge Matt Fitzgerald junkie, so there will be a couple of his books on this list. 80/20 Running Matt catalogs the concept of doing 80 percent of your training at low intensity and only 20 percent at moderate to high intensity, benefiting your endurance, decreasing your fatigue, and allowing you to level up your running. Training plans are also included.
Running Rewired by Jay Decharry. This book was created to help you prevent injuries and build your running body. It addresses mobility, strength work, and provides assessments to see what areas you may need to improve your form and durability. It also features training plans from the 5k to ultramarathon distance.
Running Like a Pro by Matt Fitzgerald. Ok, another work by Matt Fitzgerald. This one covers some of the same topics as the previous book, but includes a lot of other poignant information and tips that every runner can apply to their training and life in general. It’s my current audiobook while I do my easy runs.
Related Topics:
Atomic Habits by James Clear. This is one of those books that everyone should read. It teaches readers how to build and stack habits so that they aren’t overwhelming or overly complicated. It can not only help with marathons, but all areas of life. Actually, I’m going to go reread it after finishing this article.
Peak Performance by Brad Stulberg and Steve Magness. This book stands out from the rest of the productivity niche by offering not only well researched, practiced methods to reach peak performance in a wide variety of areas, but to do so in a sustainable way, focusing on avoiding burnout. It places a focus on balancing stress and rest, which is a necessity when training for a marathon.
The Comfort Crisis by Michael Easter. This book will motivate you to not only break out of your comfort zone, but be excited to do so. Research, interviews, and personal experiences are all a part of this book detailing the problem we are all facing, too much comfort and not enough opportunities to take on challenges and do hard things.
Memoirs:
My Year of Running Dangerously by Tom Foreman. This may be one of my favorite running books of all time. I found myself laughing out loud on many occasions and looking forward to each run while listening to Foreman recap his running experiences. It all starts when his daughter asks him to run a marathon with her (he, having ran when he was younger) and how his obsession with running snowballed from there.
The Longest Race by Kara Goucher. This is a little bit of a heavier memoir. But details Kara’s childhood (losing her father), her emergence in the sport, and the darker side of working with Alberto Salazar and NIke. It’s frustrating, hopeful, and a great read.
Running Outside the Comfort Zone by Susan Lacke
Fiction:
The Slummer: Quarters Til Death by Geoffrey Simpson. This is the semi dystopian futuristic tale of a young runner growing up in the slums of Cleveland. The world is divided into the haves (the elite with genetically engineered perfection) and the have nots (the natural born) and anyone without the money for genetic engineering is relegated to poverty. If you like science fiction and running, this one melds the two nicely.
The Humiliation Tour by Jeffrey Recker. In all honesty I just started reading this one, but so far it is a hilarious, fast, fun read about a former cross country star trying to navigate young adulthood as things continue to fall apart around him, with running remaining an integral part of his life.
Once a Runner by John L. Parker. This is a classic running novel. It tells the story of a young man who is suspended from his collegiate track team after protesting the Vietnam war. He embarks on a new path, giving up everything from his former life in his quest to succeed at the race of his life.
This is only a small amount of the podcasts and books that I’ve found. There are so many wonderful ones out there with incredible new material being added every day. Hopefully this gets you started if you’re looking for something new.
If you’d like any more suggestions or resources, or if you have any recommendations for me, please reach out to me runningoffbeet on Instagram. I’d love to hear from you!
Shannon Hogan
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Favorite Grandma’s Marathon Memory: This will be my seventh Grandma’s marathon and I’ve loved every race. Up until this past Grandma’s I would have said crossing the finish line for the first time. But now it is involving my daughter and making the entire weekend a celebrated family affair…from visiting the expo to participating in the Whipper Snapper races, volunteering at the 5k, and seeing her cheering out on the course. We both love it!
A Quote that guides, inspires, or embodies your training, racing, or life: “What good is livin’ the life you’ve been given if all you do is stand in one place.” Lord Huron
A Song that must be on your running playlist: Holocene by Bon Iver
Favorite pre-race meal: Oatmeal with almond butter and chocolate chips
2024 Running Goal: PR my marathon (a BQ would be an incredibly lofty goal) and finishing the Superior 100 for the second time.