The Perfect Mile: Three Athletes, One Goal, and Less Than Four Minutes to Achieve It


Neal Bascomb - 2004
    In 1952, after suffering defeat at the Helsinki Olympics, three world-class runners each set out to break this barrier.Roger Bannister was a young English medical student who epitomized the ideal of the amateur — still driven not just by winning but by the nobility of the pursuit. John Landy was the privileged son of a genteel Australian family, who as a boy preferred butterfly collecting to running but who trained relentlessly in an almost spiritual attempt to shape his body to this singular task. Then there was Wes Santee, the swaggering American, a Kansas farm boy and natural athlete who believed he was just plain better than everybody else.Spanning three continents and defying the odds, their collective quest captivated the world and stole headlines from the Korean War, the atomic race, and such legendary figures as Edmund Hillary, Willie Mays, Native Dancer, and Ben Hogan. In the tradition of Seabiscuit and Chariots of Fire, Neal Bascomb delivers a breathtaking story of unlikely heroes and leaves us with a lasting portrait of the twilight years of the golden age of sport.

Every Woman's Guide to Cycling: Everything You Need to Know, From Buying Your First Bike to Winning Your First Race


Selene Yeager - 2008
    At the same time, cycling remains very much a "man's sport," an intimidating world that can be difficult for women to navigate. Now celebrity spokeswoman Selene Yeager covers all the basics-for all ages and fitness levels. Women will learn... - How to find the perfect bike and other essential equipment - How to shift, spin, climb mountains, and get back down - Training techniques that take it up a notch - What to eat off-and on-a bike - Competition craziness-race information and strategies - Why guys who work in bike shops act the way they do - And more!

Running Away: A Memoir


Robert Andrew Powell - 2014
    Long distance runners understand where those tears come from, even if there are others who will never understand what drives someone to run 26.2 consecutive miles in a grueling mental and physical test. Powell’s emotional reaction to completing the race wasn’t just about the run, though. It was also about the joy and relief of coming back up after hitting rock bottom. Running Away is the story of how one decision can alter the course of a life. Knocked down by a painful divorce and inspired by his father, Powell decided to change his mindset and circumstances. He moved to Boulder and began running in earnest for the first time in his life. Over the 26.2 chapters that follow, Powell grapples with his past relationships, gaining insight and hard-won discipline that give him hope for the future.

I Hate Running and You Can Too: How to Get Started, Keep Going, and Make Sense of an Irrational Passion


Brendan Leonard - 2021
    He hates it so much that he once logged fifty-two marathon-length runs in fifty-two weeks. Now he’s sharing everything he’s learned about the sport so that you can hate it too. Packed with wisdom, humor, attitude, tips, and quotes—and more than sixty illuminating charts—I Hate Running and You Can Too delivers a powerful message of motivation from a truly relatable mentor. Leonard nails the love-hate relationship most runners have with the sport. He knows the difficulty of getting off the couch, teaches us to get comfortable with being uncomfortable, embraces the mix of running with walking. And he shares all that he’s learned—celebrating the mantra of “Easy, light, smooth, and fast,” observing that any body that runs is a runner’s body. Plus Leonard knows all the practical stuff, from training methods to advice for when you hit a setback or get injured. Even the answer to that big question a lot of runners occasionally ask: Why? Easy: Running helps us understand commitment, develop patience, discover self-discipline, find mental toughness, and prove to ourselves that we can do something demanding. And, of course, burn off that extra serving of nachos.

Fix Tight Hip Flexors: The Ultimate At Home Cure


Lauren Bertolacci - 2013
    This means that they are involved in basic movements that we do every day like walking, running and leaning forward while sitting down, just to name a few. When this group of muscles get’s tight you are at a high risk for a lot of different problems. The great news is once you have identified the cause of your problem, you can get rid of the pain and tightness quickly. This book will take your through four key steps to ensure that you get rid of your tight hip flexors and keep them loose. The reasons may not be as simple as you think as this complex group of muscles does a lot of work in every day tasks. Bad posture, repetitive movements and weak muscles will also contribute to your issues. I'll teach you how to release your hip flexors and re-train your body effectively, no matter what the cause of your tight hips.Included are:Key stretches to release the hip flexors.Self massage on important areas to get a deeper release.Exercises that will take your hip flexors through a dynamic range of motion and stretch them actively.Postural exercises that will retrain your body so your hip flexors aren't working when they shouldn't.An understanding of what you need to do during the day to help your cause.A guide on how to put it all together effectively for your situation.

The Women's Health Big Book of Exercises


Adam Campbell - 2009
    As the most comprehensive collection of exercises ever created, this makeover manual is a body-shaping power tool for both beginners and longtime fitness buffs alike. From start to finish, this 480-page makeover manual bulges with hundreds of useful tips, the latest findings in exercise science, and cutting-edge workouts from the world's top trainers.  Inside The Women's Health Big Book of Exercises you'll find: 619 Exercises!All expertly demonstrated with color photographs, with dozens of movements for every muscle in your body, including:* More than 100 core exercises! You'll never run out of ways to sculpt your abs.* 74 biceps, triceps, and forearm exercises: Tone your arms faster than ever before.* 64 chest exercises, to burn more calories and even help give your bosom a lift.* 103 back exercises, to make sure you turn heads in your backless dress.* 40 shoulder exercises, so you can wear a tank top with confidence.* 99 quadriceps and calves exercises, to help you look great in a pair of shorts.* 62 glutes and hamstrings exercises, for the perfect backside. Hundreds of workouts!From cover to cover, you'll quickly see that there's a training plan for every fitness goal—whether you want to shrink your hip, find your abs, or shape your arms. Highlights include:* The World's Greatest 4-Week Diet and Exercise PlanLose 10 pounds of pure fat in 30 days! This scientifically proven plan, based on research from the University of Connecticut, shows what's truly possible when you combine the right kind of diet with the right kind of exercise. You'll build muscle and lose fat faster than ever.* The Get-Your-Body-Back (Fast!) GuideIf you've never even picked up a weight, you'll want to try this plan from Joe Dowdell, C.S.C.S. Joe makes his living training models, athletes, and celebrities, and has worked with such names as Anne Hathaway, Claire Danes, Molly Sims, and Kate Hudson, as well as Victoria’s Secret and Sports Illustrated swimsuit models. And the strategies he uses when designing workouts for his high-profile clientele are the same ones he employs to help you quickly burn fat, firm up, and improve your overall fitness.* The Bikini-Ready WorkoutThis fitness plan will help you flatten your stomach and tighten your butt. It’s designed by celebrity trainer Valerie Waters, who has perfected the body-shaping workouts you’ll find here on dozens of Hollywood stars, including Jennifer Garner, Rachel Nichols, Kate Beckinsale, and Jessica Biel. Add your name to Valerie’s client list to tone your total body and feel more confident than ever.* The Skinny Jeans WorkoutWant to look sexier in a pair of Sevens? Try this routine from Women’s Health fitness advisor Rachel Cosgrove, CSCS. In a pilot study at Rachel’s gym, clients who tried the plan dropped two jean sizes in just 8 weeks.  And:* The Wedding WorkoutLook great—just in time for the big day (and your honeymoon!)* The Hard-Body Workout Use this 12-week plan to tone your legs, arms, and abs faster than ever* The Lose-the-Last-10-Pounds Workout Your guide to finishing off that last bit of flab for good* The Total-body Arm-shaping WorkoutBlast fat as you shape and firm your arms* The Best Three-Exercise Workouts Shrink your hips with just three simple moves* The Prenatal Workout Stay fit and healthy during your pregnancy * The Best Workouts for a Crowded GymSculpt a lean, fit body—no waiting!* The Time-Saving Couples WorkoutBurn fat together (it's the secret to better sex!)* The Best Bodyweight WorkoutsTake your workout anywhere with these no-weight routines* The 10 Best 15-Minute WorkoutsBust stress, blast fat, and build muscle in almost no time Plus:Every page of The Women's Health Big Book of Exercises is filled with the fitness and nutrition tips and tricks you need to sculpt the body you want.Throughout the book, you'll discover:* The secret to burning 40 percent more fat.* The 18 fitness mistakes you should never make* The best stretch for every muscle* The fastest cardio workout of all-time (just 4 minutes!)* The best exercises you've never done* The 8 healthiest foods you aren't eating* The 4 perfect fitness foods* The 25 super snacks that keep you lean* The 5 biggest nutrition lies—exposed!* The truth about saturated fat* The simple way to master the pushup* The 20 ways lifting weights helps you look great, stay healthy, and live longer

Power Speed ENDURANCE: A Skill-Based Approach to Endurance Training


Brian Mackenzie - 2011
    Developed by CrossFit Endurance founder Brian MacKenzie and featuring instruction from some of the world's top endurance and CrossFit coaches, Power, Speed, ENDURANCE unveils techniques, drills, and training strategies that will optimize your performance and overall work capacity while decreasing your susceptibility to injury.Through thousands of step-by-step color photographs and detailed narrative, Power, Speed, ENDURANCE breaks down proper running, cycling, and swimming mechanics like never before. MacKenzie's unique system of building strength, speed, and power is aimed at reaping continual results, without injury. In fact, he devotes an entire chapter to the "broken down" athlete, equipping you with the knowledge to prevent, repair, and treat injuries brought on by poor mechanics and tight overworked muscles. In addition, MacKenzie outlines a straightforward approach to nutrition, hydration, and electrolyte balance that will increase your energy, boost your performance, and accelerate your recovery.Whether you're a self-trained athlete looking to compete in your first endurance event, a seasoned competitor looking to reach your highest potential, or a CrossFit athlete looking to increase stamina, Power, Speed, ENDURANCE will help you reach your goal.In this book, you will learn how to: develop proper running technique using the Pose Method properly fit yourself on a bike improve cycling mechanics on a road, time-trial, and mountain bike swim effortlessly and improve freestyle-stroke mechanics through skill-based drills and exercises accelerate work capacity and minimize fatigue by building muscle, speed, and power incorporate a CrossFit Endurance strength-and-conditioning program into your training routine maximize nutrition, hydration, and electrolyte balance to improve performance and body composition prevent, repair, and treat nagging injuries associated with endurance sports and improve range of motion using Starrett's Movement and Mobility Method

Run Like a Girl: How Strong Women Make Happy Lives


Mina Samuels - 2011
    Run Like A Girl includes the stories of a US-ranked amateur triathlete who's raising an autistic son, a thirteen-year-old girl who falls in love with cross-country running, a woman who runs her first marathon at age sixty, an investment banker who quit her job to become a yoga teacher and adopt a daughter on her own, a young mother with scoliosis who cycled her way back to health and became a jewelry designer along the way, and countless other women, including Kathrine Switzer, Rebecca Rusch, and Molly Barker, who have been changed by their experiences with sports. Run Like A Girl argues that physical strength lends itself to psychological strength, and that for many women, participating in sports translates into leading a happier, more fulfilling life.

Lift Like a Girl: Be More, Not Less.


Nia Shanks - 2017
    If you’re like most women, you’ve been through this vicious cycle more times than you can count. But what if fitness wasn’t about fixing flaws and shrinking sizes? What if your workout could be uncomplicated, energizing, and even fun? Fitness coach Nia Shanks has helped countless clients reinvent their mindset around exercise, nutrition, and body image. Based on her wildly popular blog, Lift Like a Girl is so much more than a workout program. It’s an empowering lifestyle built around discovering the strength you never knew you had. Along with her practical, step-by-step approach for getting proven results in the gym, Nia breaks through the weight-loss clichés that keep too many women dissatisfied, depressed, and constantly on a diet. Find out how good it feels to lift like a girl, and leave the gym feeling more awesome than ever.

The Hybrid Athlete


Alex Viada - 2015
    

How to Hike the Appalachian Trail: A Comprehensive Guide to Plan and Prepare for a Successful Thru-Hike


Chris Cage - 2017
    I know. I spent months researching every question I could think of before starting the 6 month journey.Even after all of that research, there were countless mistakes I made. This book is everything I wish I would have known before starting. Inside is a step-by-step guide to efficiently plan for a successful thru-hike. Complete with personal tips and experiences. The goal of this guide is to help you complete the 2,185 mile long adventure, feel confident in your preparation and have a great time every step of the way. Learn how to budget wisely, save money and not waste cash. Know how to carve out 6 months from your family, job and home. Master a massive gear guide on everything from your spork to your tent. Understand clothing, layering and materials. Hear about what life is really like on the trail. Know which direction to go, when and why. Familiarize yourself with a state by state breakdown of the trail. Learn how to mentally prepare for the "I-wanna-quit-days" Understand the physical demands and methods to prevent injury. Prepare for the nutritional needs with favorite meals and food ideas. Know the real dangers on the AT. (Ladies) hear from AT record-holder Heather Anderson on "Female Needs". And a whole lot more...Hope you enjoy.

The Juggernaut Method 2.0: Strength, Speed, and Power For Every Athlete


Chad Wesley Smith - 2012
    The Juggernaut Method 2.0 is not just a sets and reps program to help your squat, bench and deadlift skyrocket, it is also a guide to sprint/jump training, medicine ball throws and sport specific energy system training to turn you into an athletic powerhouse.The Juggernaut Method 2.0 is over 100 pages worth of physical preparation material geared at making you the fastest, strongest, most powerful and well conditioned athlete possible. In this informative ebook, you’ll learn the following…INTRODUCTION AND PHILOSOPHY-The foundational ideas of athletic performance training-The value of submaximal training and results driven progressTHE PROGRAM-Explanation and outline of the different phases of The Juggernaut Method-How to progress through each training session and from one training wave to the next-The percentage, set and rep schemes that have produced champion strength athletes and All-Americans across a variety of sportsWARM-UPS-Specific warm-ups to prepare you for training sessions with a variety of emphasis and goals-Video demonstrations of every warm-up maneuver and techniqueALTERNATE PERIODIZATION MODELS-The Inverted Juggernaut Method-Undulating Periodization Model-The Juggernaut Method and The 9 Day Work WeekASSISTANCE WORK-Assistance training aimed at every physical goal-Weighted dip and chin-up programs to build tremendous relative strengthSPEED/POWER WORK-How to organize sprint training for maximum acceleration, speed and change of direction performance-Jump training to enhance rate of force development and explosive strength-Medicine ball throws to improve total body coordination and explosive power with video demonstrations and explanations of each throwing variationCONDITIONING-How to increase your alactic capacity, aerobic capacity and lactic capacity-How to manipulate conditioning to enhance your recovery-Specific Football conditioning programTJM2.0 FOR POWERLIFTING AND STRONGMAN-Proper peaking strategies to ensure you are your strongest on the day of the meet-Implementing strongman event training into your TJM program-Periodization schemes for Strongman eventsNUTRITION-Dietary guidelines for mass gain, body recompisition and fat loss-Juggernaut’s favorite recipes with macronutrient breakdownsThe information in this product outlines all of the details of athlete’s training at Juggernaut which they pay up to $1000/month for.TONS OF VIDEOS-These videos will allow you to see what you should and shouldn’t be doing to ensure you are doing things exactly correctly.This program gives you everything necessary to build your own athletic and strength training programs: Sets, reps, rest periods, special exercises, the works!

Gift of Injury: The Strength Athlete’s Guide to Recovering from Back Injury to Winning Again


Stuart McGill - 2018
    Anyone who trains will enhance their injury resilience and performance employing these principles proven over and over with athletes. In the highly competitive world of strength athletics, a back injury is seen by many as the ultimate career-ender. In truth, if handled properly, it is far from a death sentence. Follow the journey of international powerlifting champion Brian Carroll, who can attest to this first hand. This remarkable athlete went from 1100 lb squats and 800 lb deadlifts to unending pain and disability after a massive spinal compression injury. After a fortuitous meeting with leading back expert Professor Stuart McGill, he reset his training and his life to fight his way back to the top of the winner’s podium. Glean expertise from McGill and Carroll, both masters in their field, and learn how to orchestrate your own triumphant comeback. Whether you are a former champion yourself who has fallen on hard times, or someone starting a new foray into the world of strength training who wants to avoid injury and maximize training, the wisdom found within these pages is sure to take your resilience and lifts to the next level. Over 200 full color, rich illustrations demonstrate technique.

Endurance Sports Nutrition


Suzanne Girard Eberle - 2007
    Endurance Sports Nutrition will help you select the best foods, fluids, and supplements to train longer, recover more quickly, avoid injuries, and achieve your performance goals in any endurance endeavor.Sports dietitian and former elite runner Suzanne Girard Eberle provides a proven fueling program that addresses the unique needs of endurance athletes:Road and trail running: 5K to 100+ milesCycling and mountain biking: time trials to multiday ridesDuathlon and triathlon: sprint to IronmanWinter sports: Nordic ski races to mountain ascentsWater sports: rowing and long-distance swimmingEnvironmental conditions: extreme temperatures and high altitudeComplete with customizable menu plans, profiles and advice from elite endurance athletes, and strategies for avoiding the most common pitfalls of endurance athletes, Endurance Sports Nutrition will fuel your best performance.

Mind Gym: An Athlete's Guide to Inner Excellence


Gary Mack - 2001
    Gary's lessons and David's writing provide examples of the importance of the mental game."--Ben Crenshaw, two-time Masters champion and former Ryder Cup captain"Mind Gym hits a home run. If you want to build mental muscle for the major leagues, read this book."--Ken Griffey Jr., Major League Baseball MVP"I read Mind Gym on my way to the Sydney Olympics and really got a lot out of it. Gary has important lessons to teach, and you'll find the exercises fun and beneficial."--Jason Kidd, NBA All-Star and Olympic gold-medal winner"I love the book Mind Gym."--Madison Kocian, 2016 U.S. Women's Gymnastics Team, 2015 Uneven Bars World Champion, as told to Us WeeklyIn Mind Gym, noted sports psychology consultant Gary Mack explains how your mind influences your performance on the field or on the court as much as your physical skill does, if not more so. Through forty accessible lessons and inspirational anecdotes from prominent athletes--many of whom he has worked with--you will learn the same techniques and exercises Mack uses to help elite athletes build mental "muscle." Mind Gym will give you the "head edge" over the competition.