Running Life

Offers the true story of a Sudanese boy who, through unyielding faith, overcame a wartorn nation to become an American citizen and an Olympic contender.

A straightforward, easy-to-follow look at the anatomy, biomechanics, and nutrition of running. Dr. Cucuzzella "aims to improve the fitness and well-being of all, from the uninitiated to beginners to veterans who still have new tricks to learn" (Amby Burfoot, Boston Marathon winner, writer at large for Runner’s World magazine, and author of The Runner’s Guide to the Meaning of Life). Despite our natural ability and our human need to run, each year more than half of all runners suffer injuries. Pain and discouragement inevitably follow. Cucuzzella's book outlines the proven, practical techniques to avoid injury and reach the goal of personal fitness and overall health. With clear drawings and black-and-white photographs, the book provides illustrated exercises designed to teach healthy running, along with simple progressions and a running schedule that shows the reader how to tailor their training regimen to their individual needs and abilities.

A comprehensive plan for runners of every age that offers an overview of the health benefits of running and provides step-by-step instructions to avoid common running problems and making the most of a running workout.

Writers like Donald and Mike work at the grassroots level to promote and support our sport. Their love of running shines through every page of what they write. They have a unique perspective on The Running Life and make us smile and gain insight at the same time. Whether you are an experienced runner, a novice, or even a non-runner this compilation of articles will inspire. --Amby Burfoot, Editor at Large, Runners World Magazine and 1968 Boston Marathon winner As a resident of Pacific Grove, Im just like all the other runners on the Central Coast. We eagerly await the Thursday edition of the Monterey Herald so we can see what Donald and Mike are thinking and saying about The Running Life. Its great that this book will allow a wider audience the opportunity of reading these great columns.--Blake Russell, 2008 Womens Olympic Marathon Im out in Buraglio and Dove territory every year for the Big Sur Marathon. Its great to swap stories with Donald and Mike, run, and enjoy the magnificent Central Coast. They are both very knowledgeable and their articles cover every aspect of our sport. A fun read for sure.--Bart Yasso, Chief Runner, Runners World Magazine Ive always been an instinctive runner. I love to run and feel the flow. Donald and Mike capture all I love about running in their articles. They know the spirit as well as the technical side of running. I recommend this series of articles for anyone. You will really capture and understand why we love The Running Life. --Nelly Wright, Pacific Grove, California, 1984 Womens Olympic Marathon

Running is a part of our consciousness and subconsciousness all through life. We run as children chasing kites and ice-cream trucks, and run away from irate parents. We run as teenagers in our sports. We run as adults to stay in shape, and as elderly people, we run after toddlers that suddenly escape our protection. We run in nightmares. We run in happy dreams for the exuberance of pure freedom. We run to catch subways, buses and planes. We run to meet our lovers. Our clocks run fast, or slow, and we run late, or early. My running stories capture some of the ways we run. A kindergartener chases his mother for an entire mile, so he can walk her to the grocery store. A high school track athlete runs to win the heart of a classmate. A college coed wakes up late for her final exam and runs frantically across campus to preserve her grade point. Another young woman runs to escape a rapist. An elderly man watches joggers sweep by on a country road from his seat in a wheelchair, holding in his heart all the wonderful miles he once ran himself.

Anthropologist Jasmina Praprotnik met Helena Zigon while running. Over the course of an icy Slovenian winter, the two marathon runners got together frequently, and Zigon told Praprotnik about her life. Here, Praprotnik tells Zigon's captivating story in Zigon's own voice. Each chapter is marked by a kilometer of the half-marathon Zigon ran along the Adriatic Sea on her eighty-sixth birthday, shortly after losing her husband of sixty years, Stane. Zigon's life spanned most of the twentieth century. She witnessed the Second World War, the rise and fall of Yugoslavia, and the founding of the new state of Slovenia. Abandoned by her parents and having grown up poor and mistreated by her stepmother, Zigon demonstrates the stoic resilience of a long-suffering Slavic woman. Though beset with challenges, she found a source of strength in the act of running. From a young girl running errands to an old woman running in the face of new grief, running has been a bright thread braided throughout her life. It has served her as a balm and a joy—one that she is grateful to still be able to savor. This inspirational memoir will appeal to general readers, especially those interested in history and running.

WINNER TELEGRAPH SPORTS HEALTH & FITNESS BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARD Think, move and eat like a double Olympic champion! Running Life is Dame Kelly Holmes's inspirational and practical guide to how Mindset, Fitness and Nutrition work together to transform your physical and mental health. Drawing on her own experiences of overcoming depression and a raft of injuries to achieve her Olympic dream, Kelly shares her tips on how to make positive changes to your mindset, exercise and diet to help you perform at your highest level. Keep your body strong and improve your running performance, fuel your body with deliciously healthy meals and attain a winning mindset with advice from one of Britain's most recognisable and admired athletes.