Running Books and Movies

The following are some great books and movies related to running.  Some are for training purposes, while others should just inspire you.  Though the training books are very literal, the inspiring stories (as I call them) tend to be better motivators.  Motivators to push yourself further, try something new, and follow in the footsteps of those who went before.  There are more out there if you look (The movie "Spirit of the Marathon" or the book "Relentless Forward Progress" come to mind) but I probably didn't like them as much.  I have yet to read or see all of these, but these are my favorites or at least are on my short list to read next.  I will continue to update these.

Inspiring Books:

Ultramarathon Man - some runners have mixed opinion about Dean, but his book about running 50 marathons in 50 states in 50 days is an inspiring tale that relates well to the every-man.
Born To Run - personal opinions aside, this book sparked a new era in running and shook up a stale shoe industry.  Though enthusiast runners can punch holes in its theories, its as entertaining as it is inspiring and sheds light on ultra running to the masses.
Eat and Run - Scott Yurek, America's greatest ultrarunner and arguably the worlds best, describes his life growing up in the fast-food ridden midwest and his shift to a vegan diet while racing (and winning) ultrarunning's toughest events.

No Shortcuts to the Top - not a running book, but the lifelong quest of Ed Viesturs to become the first American to climb the world's highest 14 peaks - all without bottled oxygen.
Once a Runner - a fictional novel about a runner's lifelong dream to run a 4 minute mile.  An inside account of the chaotic lives of elite distance runners.
The Perfect Mile - Throughout time a sub 4 minute mile was thought impossible to obtain with the human body, but 2 runners in the early 1950s set out on both a physical and spiritual quest to prove this wrong.
Running with the Buffaloes - an NCAA season running along with the University of Colorado cross country team as they devote themselves to excellence.
Unbroken - a story of impossible resilience and determination about a teenager who channeled his defiance into running and landed a spot in the Berlin Olympics.  He was soon sucked into World War II and had to endure a harrowing experience, first adrift in the Pacific Ocean and then in a Japanese prison camp.
Wild: From Lost to Found on the PCT - Cheryl Strayed's retelling of her adventure on the Pacific Crest trail as an inexperienced hiker grieving over the loss of her mother while recovering from substance abuse.

Training Guides:

A Step Beyond: A Definitive Guide to Ultrarunning - as the name implies, this book is an encyclopedia of knowledge about ultra running.  Over 500 pages of on training, nutrition, physiology, race summaries, even humor on the sport.
Advanced Marathoning - A science based approach to get you in great shape for the marathon, with advice on how to compliment your training with strength, flexibility and form.
Daniel's Running Formula - Running coach Jack Daniels, PhD, has a plan to get you into the best shape of your life with his VDOT based training approaches (VDOT is short for VO2max, the maximum rate of oxygen consumption your body can sustain).  With plans from the 5k up to the marathon, the workouts are brutal but will elevate your fitness to a new level.
Marathon: The Ultimate Training Guide - Hal Higdon's often anecdotal guide to marathons, great for your first or 50th race (really!).  While beginner friendly, I still pick it up and read random parts from time to time.

Inspiring Movies:

Apocalypto - A midst a declining Mayan Kingdom, a young man is sent on a death march to await his death, but instead flees his fate.  A deadly footrace ensues through the jungles to try and reach his family and his freedom.

Chariots of Fire - The classic running film about 2 British track stars and their desire to compete in the 1924 Olympic games.  Contains some familiar music as well.

Forest Gump - Everyone's favorite movie about the life of a challenged man who also happens to love running.  We all loved his fictitious run across America, not to mention some classic quotes like when asked why he was running across the country his response of "I just felt like running", or at the end of his journey where he bluntly states "I'm pretty tired...I think I'll go home now", and don't forget: "Run Forest Run"!

Indulgence: 1000 miles under the Colorado sky - a summer of running in the Rockies with Anton Krupicka.

Prefontaine - the 1997 movie about the Oregon running phenom and Olympic hopeful Prefontaine who died tragically before his peak.

Run Fatboy Run - 5 years after leaving his pregnant fiance, out-of-shape Dennis commits to running  a marathon to show his ex that he isn't a quitter.  Fatboy puts a comedic spin on training for your first marathon and a great visual representation of how to break through "the wall".

Run Lola Run - A fast-paced German thriller about a woman who must frantically run across town to find money to bail her boyfriend out of a crime ring.  Its told in three distinct "running" episodes.

The Runner - profiling ultra-running pioneer David Horton's speed record of the 2,700 mile Pacific Crest Trail.

Running on the Sun: The Badwater 135 - a documentary about the infamous Badwater 135 mile run and some of the participants, which takes place in one of the hottest places on Earth.

Ultramarathon Man - the very watchable film adaptation of Dean Karnaze's aforementioned book.

Unbreakable: The 2010 Western States 100 - 4 top ultra-runners all eye a win at Western States, one of the oldest and most prestigious 100 mile races in the world.  Only one man will stay "Unbreakable"!

Without Limits - another great movie from 1998 about the life of Steve Prefontaine, chronicling his life and Olympic experiences.