Marathons by Andrea

Spring is here (kind of), and with it comes the marathon season!  All over the world races are held, challenging the human body and spirit. The marathon is one of the most storied races of all time. Originally conceived for the 1896 Olympics in Athens, the marathon immediately captured the imagination and hearts of the public. 

Transported to Boston in 1897 by American spectators, the history of the marathon in the new world is almost as long as the history of the marathon itself. To learn more about the origin of this iconic race, come to the library and check out

 “The Complete Book of the Olympics” by David Wallechinsky (796.48 WAL). It is a treasure trove of lore, drama, and anecdotes from 116 years of Olympic history with full descriptions of rules and scoring for every event.

If you are ready to take on the challenge of a marathon, the library has some excellent books with useful guides and tips.

 “Galloway’s Marathon FAQ” by Jeff Galloway (796.425 GAL) has the direct answers to the most frequently asked questions about training for and running a marathon, including nutrition, motivation, female issues, preparing for race day, race issues, recovery, staying injury free and more.

Motivation sometimes comes from reading about others’ experiences.

 “The Longest Race: A Lifelong Runner, an Iconic Ultramarathon, and the Case for Human Endurance” by Ed Ayres (796.425 AYR) explores the connection between individual endurance and a sustainable society.

Finally, for the bibliophilic poetic runner, take a look at “The Runner’s Literary Companion” (808.8 RUN). It contains great stories and poems about running.

No matter if you read about it or actually compete, Just Do It!