Run for Your Life

How to Run, Walk, and Move Without Pain or Injury and Achieve a Sense of Well-Being and Joy

By: Mark Cucuzzella

Narrated by: Mark Cucuzzella

Length: 8 hrs and 31 mins

Publisher's summary

The first running book by a leading pioneering running doctor and athlete, creator of the Air Force's Efficient Running program - the result of more than three decades of study, practice, and science that shows us in clearly illustrated and accessible text how easy it is to run efficiently and injury-free, whether you're in your 20s, 60s, or 70s - for beginning runners and experienced marathoners.

In Run for Your Life, Dr. Mark Cucuzzella explains the simple mechanics of how our bodies have evolved and adapted to run. 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.   

His book - the first running book to be written by a professor of medicine with the credibility of the Air Force behind him - gives us a straightforward, easy-to-follow look at the anatomy, biomechanics, nutrition, and/or clinical medicine with clear drawings and black-and-white photographs. The audiobook provides illustrated exercises (available on the bonus PDF) designed to teach healthy running, along with simple progressions, a weekly/monthly schedule detailing common mistakes, and cautions that allow the listener to tailor the training regime to individual needs and abilities.  

Mark Cucuzzella will donate his proceeds to support his community work through his nonprofit organization, Eastern Area Health Education Center/Freedoms Run. Learn more here: http://freedomsrun.org/CommunityGrant.aspx.

Includes a bonus PDF with graphs, diagrams, training plans, and illustrations.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio. 

©2018 Mark Cucuzzella (P)2018 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“A fantastic repositioning of how to run, and of what makes running fun and healthy (they can be one and the same). True to the Hippocratic oath, Dr. Mark Cucuzzella takes back the paradigm of running that has been fostered by major shoe companies and mass media, and he recalibrates it with the runner’s best interests at heart.” (Joe Puleo, Coach of the Marine Corps Running Team and author of Running Anatomy)

“The principles outlined in this book were transformational. Not only did I run faster and better, but I was able to complete my third marathon pain-free. Most important, I felt the joy of running, and that's the type of joy anyone who runs - either around the block or 100 miles - should have the chance to feel. Reading Dr. Cucuzzella's book will help you get there.” (Mike Plunkett, MisFits Columnist, The Washington Post)

“Dr. Cucuzzella has long been a leading mind when it comes to healthy running and healthy living. He understands the comprehensive physiology behind the simple act of running, but he has also mastered the art of applying both science and passion to help runners understand how to maximize their strength, endurance, fitness, and enjoyment in a healthy, sustainable way. He’s an authentic source of information and enthusiasm amid a turbulent sea of flashy trends and biased product marketers. I expect Run for Your Life to become one of the leading running books of this era and to serve as a guiding light to runners of all abilities.” (Brian Metzler, Former Editor-in-Chief, Competitor magazine; Founding Editor, Trail Runner magazine; co-author of Natural Running and Run Like a Champion)

Good Information, but you have to pay a price

I ended up really liking the information in this book, but that was only after I almost chucked it 2 hours in because it was bogged down in the description of endless running drills, which do not translate well to the audio format. I did not know going in that there is very little narrative; it is mostly just information.

I also really really wish the author had not narrated the book. He has a very nasally voice without much inflection that is hard to listen to for hours on end.

If I had it to do over again, I would still purchase this book, but I would buy it in print/kindle format, as it is more of a reference book than an entertainment book.

Please see the PDF for my review of this book

“Please see the PDF for my review of this audiobook.” Now that would be awfully inconvenient wouldn’t it? And especially so for an audiobook eh? I shut it off and deleted it from my device after the first couple of hours because I couldn’t bear to hear “See the PDF” one more time. The author clearly has the expertise and background in the subject matter; but for me his expertise and message was lost in this audiobook format. Granted I recognize technical audiobooks sometimes need supplementary text. However if the audiobook has to instruct the user to refer to the text every 5 minutes, then it shouldn’t be an audiobook. Maybe this tapered off later in the book bit I can’t tell you how the rest of the book was.

For those who want to run forever

If you hate running, run injured, or stopped running because of an injury, then this book is for you. Dr. Mark's advice worked for my husband and I years ago when we were slaves to wearing custom orthotics. The idea of walking around barefoot seemed impossible as well as the notion that we would be running pain-free again. Through his sound advice (now contained in his book), you can learn proper form, cadence, and strengthening techniques to run pain free for the rest of your life. The pdf's were helpful and I am now using these techniques to keep youth in a Cross Country team from making the same mistakes I made. I highly recommend this book if you want to enjoy running again!

Perfect, surely the best advice available today.

I’m new to the world of running, this was exactly what I was looking for!

Whether you are a seasoned pro or a newbie like me, you will be pleased you listened.

Tip: Print the PDF so you can refer to it as needed, I had mine with me even as I jogged, rolled up like a scroll, it reminded me of relay racing in school.

Fantastic work Dr Mark, well done and thank you.

Declan Brennan
Ireland

Great info but...

I enjoyed the book very much. Lots of good information. The book references the pdf too many times for me. I understand when pictures are referenced but sometimes the information could have been included in the audio. It felt lazy. Overall, however, I would recommend the book.

not perfect on audio

I imagine its also not perfect written.

best format is multimedia

audio
written
videos

But I found it very helpful.

And the best advice is:

hit the road!!!

Long time runner

Dr Cucuzzella does an amazing job at guiding you through the phases of walking to running. His knowledge base is amazing and thoroughly researched with plenty of common sense! As a 3 time Boston Marathon Qualifier and runner for 35 years since age 11; I learn something new and reminded of basics of the sport every time I hear this book or him speak. We are blessed that he is so passionate and continues to improve our functional and mental well being!

More of a medical journal than a book for the average runner.

Overall far from entertaining and not sure it was that informative either for the average runner. The narration was the hardest part to get by. Listened to tons of running books and this was one of the worst in my personal opinion.

Inspiring!

As an older runner who is currently on the tail end of nursing an injury, this book is chock full of knowledge and details about moving your body in order to enjoy life to its fullest. A must read for all!

Smorgasbord of Good

The first time through is like checking out the entire wedding buffet - knowing you cant eat everything. Now I will go back and start with the steps/actions as they are presented based on my beginner level ability.

I am looking forward to becoming a runner.