Whether you’re looking for something to listen to, read, or watch, I think you’ll find lots of information and inspiration in the list below. Let me know which ones move you!!
Podcasts
Trail Running Women
Hilary Spires
A great podcast for women, by women. You’ll hear women trail runners talking about everything from running while pregnant, to eating disorders, to overcoming incredible obstacles. Badassery abounds in this “ask me anything” format, and Hilary brings out the absolute best in her guests. Be sure to listen in – you might be surprised at who you’ll hear!!
The Strength Running Podcast
Jason Fitzgerald
Information on training and discussions with world-class athletes. A great addition for anyone who wants to improve their running (and let’s face it – that’s all of us!). Listen to your idols talk about their experiences, get tips from elite coaches, and get inspired by all the guests of this podcast series.
Ultra Stories Podcast
Human Potential Running Series (“Sherpa” John Lacroix)
No one tells it like it is like Sherpa John. He’s opinionated, sometimes foul-mouthed, and about as real as it gets. His episodes range from recaps of the races that he directs, to interviewing the runners who attend his “Stories Ultra”, to hearing about what it’s like to run with mental illness. His podcasts encapsulate the true spirit of the ultrarunning community and are as funny as they are informative. Go for a run with Sherpa John and get some fuel for your soul.
Books
ROAR
Dr. Stacy Sims
“Women are not small men.” This is the basis of Dr. Sims’ research, and the premise that this book is founded on. An overwhelming number of women train and eat like men, thinking this will make them stronger, faster, and healthier. This could not be further from the truth! This book outlines proper nutrition and training strategies specifically for women at every stage of life and is packed with information to help women be the best athletes they can be. ROAR should be a part of every woman’s library if she wants the best advice for a lifetime of health and fitness.
Fast After Fifty
Joe Friel
Let’s face it – none of us wants to admit that time keeps marching forward and robbing us of our health and fitness. Current research shows that this doesn’t have to happen! Joe Friel’s advice on training for athletes over 50 gives hope to mature athletes and shows us how to stay strong and healthy for our entire lives. Just as women should not train and eat like men, mature runners have different needs than our younger counterparts and we should treat our bodies as such. This book has contributions from from many experts who show us that age is just a number.
Training Essentials of Ultrarunning
Jason Koop
When I picked up this book last year, I never imagined it would become such a focal point of training for my third VT100k. The principles Jason uses for both mental and physical training are based in science and are easy to implement into your own training program. From goal-setting for your season to planning your pacing and nutrition for race day, this book covers it all. I highly recommend it for any serious ultrarunner, whether they are completing their first 50K or going for a 100 mile PR.
Endure
Alex Hutchinson
In his latest book, Alex Hutchinson combines stories with cutting-edge research to tease out the limits of human endurance. Are limits physiological? Or are they psychological? Or mental? Or emotional? This complicated relationship is explored in depth and is supplemented by incredible stories of successful (and unsuccessful) feats of endurance, ranging from Roald Amundsen’s race to the South Pole to the Nike 2 hour project. The book is an entertaining as well as inspiring and informative read, and is regarded as one of the best books on endurance ever written.
Let Your Mind Run
Deena Kastor
Deena Kastor shares with us the inner workings of the mind of an elite athlete and lets us in on the secrets that helped propel her to the top of US women’s marathoning. The book recounts her life from her attempts at a young age to find an outlet for her athletic energy, to her almost burnout from the pressure of winning as a college track and cross country star, to her position as a top-ranked masters runner. Deena teaches us to think about our running and our lives, and how we can improve both by employing visualization, positivity, and gratitude. A great read and the perfect addition to any runner’s library.
Gratitude in Motion
Colleen Kelly Alexander
This one has been an absolute favorite of mine. Colleen sustained life-threatening injuries in a cycling accident involving a distracted driver, but didn’t let that dampen her spirit. With hard work, mental toughness, and the love of her husband, she made it through a mind-boggling number of surgeries to emerge as one of the most amazing pillars of strength I have ever encountered. This book is her memoir and chronicles her journey from a shy girl from the Florida coast to a powerful advocate for cycling safety and spokesperson for the American Red Cross. A must-read for anyone who needs a little inspiration in his or her life.
Movies
Unbreakable: The Western States Endurance Run
This movie provides a glimpse into the oldest and one of the most prestigious ultra marathons in the US. It follows four top runners (Hal Koerner, Anton Krupicka, Killian Jornet, and Geoff Roes) as they battle to traverse the hot canyons, steep ascents, and brutal downhills of the Western States Trail and be the first to cross the historic finish line at the Placer High School track.
Boston
This moving documentary surrounds the bombings at the finish line of the 2013 Boston Marathon and the amazing resilience of the city of Boston and the athletes from around the world that come to compete at this race, intertwined with the rich history of the race and the legendary runners who have made their marks on Boylston Street. If you’ve never run a marathon, this film will make you want to register for one.
Finding Traction
Nikki Kimball is a driving force for women’s equality in sports. In this film Nikki sets out to break the FKT (fastest known time) on the 273 mile Long Trail in Vermont, and not only did she want to set the record for women, she wanted to break the men’s record, proving that women can stand on equal ground with men. Throughout her quest Nikki had to face difficult terrain, uncooperative weather, and physical challenges while maintaining forward progress. Her tremendous determination to complete the trail will leave you wanting to take the journey yourself.
Inspired to Ride
Inspired to Ride chronicles the inaugural Trans Am bike race. Follow cyclists on their journey of 4233 miles through ten states, from the Pacific coast to Virginia, and be inspired by their incredible determination to be the first to complete the cross-country race. Throughout the movie you’ll learn the riders’ stories, and you’ll cheer at the triumphs and cry with those that fall short of the mark. Even if you don’t ride, this is a must-see film for anyone who wants to watch a bunch of crazy people go after an extraordinary goal.
Miracle
Do you believe in miracles? You will after you watch the true story of Herb Brooks and the 1980 US Olympic hockey team. Herb took a bunch of mismatched and rivalling hockey players and turned them into the best team in the world, all while teaching them to believe in themselves and each other. Watching the US team triumph over the heavily-favored Soviet team will leave you feeling like anything is possible, as long as you believe.
Without Limits
This movie is one recounting of the life and career of Steve Prefontaine, one of the most influential and legendary amateur runners that ever lived. From his modest start in a middle class household in Coos Bay, Oregon to his defeat of almost every top track runner in the world, Pre held fast to his views on running and racing and always held himself to the highest standards. “A race is a work of art” was how Pre felt, and this film sets out to show how his gritty demeanor and single-mindedness on the track indeed made each of his races a masterpiece.
