Product Description

Lore of Running gives you incomparable detail on physiology, training, racing, injuries, world-class athletes, and races.

Author Tim Noakes blends the expertise of a physician and research scientist with the passion of a dedicated runner to answer the most pressing questions for those who are serious about the sport:

-How your body systems respond to training, the effects of different training methods, how to detect and avoid overtraining, and genetic versus trainable potential

-How to train for the 10K up through ultramarathon with detailed programs from Noakes and several leading running experts

-How to prevent and treat injuries, increase your strength and flexibility, and use proper nutrition for weight control and maximum performance

You'll also find a candid analysis of supplements and ergogenic effects and training aids. The book includes new interviews with 10 world-class runners who share their secrets to success and longevity in the sport. Features on legendary figures and events in running history provide fascinating insights.

And that's just scratching the surface. Lore of Running is not only the biggest and best running publication on the planet. It's the one book every runner should own.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #5502 in Books
• Published on: 2002-12-03
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 944 pages

About the Author

Dr. Timothy Noakes is Discovery health professor of exercise and sports science at the University of Cape Town and director of the medical research council/UCT research unit for exercise science and sports medicine at the Sports Science Institute of South Africa in Newlands. Noakes received his MD from the University of Cape Town. He is a veteran of more than 70 marathons and ultramarathons. He is an editorial board member for many international sport science journals and a former president of the South African Sports Medicine Association. In 1999, he was elected as one of 22 founding members of the International Olympic Committee's Olympic Science Academy. Noakes is also a fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine. He and his wife, Marilyn Anne, reside in Cape Town, South Africa.

Customer Reviews

Running Bible
If you have a top notch personal coach who tends all your needs, you don't need any book to improve your running. If you are like me who have the passion for serious running, enjoy reading and analytical thinking while having a full-time job + other professional activities, this book is a must-have. I got one for me and two as presents to my friends. Using this book as the major reference to coach and heal myself, I qualified for the Boston Marathon at my marathon debut after about one year's training, took 10 minutes off in another year and I am on my way to beat NYC marathon qualification time for guaranteed number. Running programs are everywhere. "Individualizing" has become a cliché. Understanding the fundamental mechanisms and principles behind body and training is essential to derive a healthy and effective training program that adapts to the body's response. Lore of Running distinguishes itself from other running books by offering a large volume of solid evidence to support the principles concluded by the author. The readers have the freedom of utilizing these materials, often presented in interesting ways such as stories about famous runners, to make their own conclusions. I feel like having a very pleasant academic discussion with the author who is convincing, but not dictating while reading the book. The background of the author - ultra-marathon athlete, researcher and practicing sports MD is perfect for writing such comprehensive running book.

This book is certainly not a quick recipe. It takes time to digest the material. If you enjoy reading, it is a plus. I have read some section multiple times. Another very good running book that takes much less time to read is Daniels' Running Formula by Jack Daniels that is geared more toward elite runners, but still very helpful for midpack runners like me.

Best book you'll ever read
This book contains everything you need to know about running. That's it! You will be a better runner if you read it. You don't necessarily have to "apply the concepts" in the book, you will improve just by the nature of knowing what is going on and being more intelligent with regards to running.

It is not for the faint of heart and you won't enjoy it if you like to meet up with a bunch of other overweight women to go for a 2 km jog on Saturday mornings and then go drink coffee and eat enough muffins to doubly-make up for those that you burned on what you call your run. This is a book for real runners who actually run and actually want to accomplish something.

An expanded Table of Contents has been posted
I agree that this book is great. It is 900+ pages (slightly repetitive) but includes only a one page table of contents. Needless to say I was a little annoyed. So I wrote this one:

http://www.scribd.com/doc/3046228/lore-of-running-toc-25

I also recommend Daniels' Running Formula, Bernadot's Advanced Sports Nutrition, and Bompa's Periodization Training for Sports.
Although with Polar's RS800sd watch (~$600) Daniel's formula is no longer necessary because the watch can give real-time info on your running-efficiency (Vo2 per speed).