The Science of Running

How to Find Your Limit and Train to Maximize Your Performance

By: Steve Magness

Narrated by: Stephen R. Thorne

If you are looking for how to finish your first 5k, this book isn't for you. The Science of Running is written for those of us looking to maximize our performance, get as close to our limits as possible, and more than anything find out how good we can be, or how good our athletes can be. In The Science of Running, elite coach and exercise physiologist Steve Magness integrates the latest research with the training processes of the world's best runners, to deliver an in depth look at how to maximize your performance.

It is a unique book that conquers both the scientific and practical points of running in two different sections. The first is aimed at identifying what limits running performance from a scientific standpoint. You will take a tour through the inside of the body, learning what causes fatigue, how we produce energy to run, and how the brain functions to hold you back from super-human performance. In section two, we turn to the practical application of this information and focus on the process of training to achieve your goals. You will learn how to develop training plans and to look at training in a completely different way. The Science of Running does not hold back information and is sure to challenge you to become a better athlete, coach, or exercise scientist.

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

©2014 Stephen Magness (P)2019 Tantor

Wealth of data and facts

The book promos clearly states this book is not for the causal runner with tips to finish their 5K.

However I was not ready to be overwhelmed with so much data and facts.

Ultimately every runner is different physiologically, psychologically and have different goals and events. Hence no one system fits all.

The idea is to review the science, figure out where the limitations to achieve one’s goals are and then develop plans to improve them, and test and repeat.

Unfortunately this books would be better as a physical copy that gets dog eared, highlighted and reread. Because there’s no way an audiobook is as easily referred back to.

One minor gripe: without much narrative stories and anecdotes, it a bit harder for the “lesson” of each section to get in. It felt more textbookish at times.

Very technical and thorough

Some parts felt dense and hard to understand without the given diagrams. However, it was a highly intricate look at the process of running in all aspects that’s what I wanted to learn. My only complaint is at times the author can be dismissive of existing information and science that is trying to understand the processes of running and just say “it’s individualized, don’t bother.” Even though science is a trial and error of generally truthful outcomes. It seems worth it to acknowledge the information as “this could be correct, but we’re still learning more;” instead of “this is actually not the case.”

Competitive Running Science.

Book is aimed at the competitive runner or running Coach. Good information about the science of different muscle development. Key reoccuring term is training for the goal distance and pace. Good information for the recreational runner to understand how and why to train.

This is not a book for someone trying to do their first or even 5th 5k. Not for the general fitness runner. This book is for someone who wants to win a race at any distance, train someone to win or delve into research

Excellent review of research with practical applications

This book is the perfect mix of research and research based practical applications for training. The boom is definitely targeted toward coaches, but would also be extremely valuable for a scientifically minded athlete. The material is very well organized and I learned a lot about every aspect of running.

Comprehensive explanation of custom specific training plan

I liked how the author explains how different types of runs and exercises affects the runner's development, both positively and negatively. The holistic approach of the different components of different techniques as well as the science behind it helped tremendously in understanding the what, why, and how of optimal training as a runner.