Running Within

Let me start with the good.

I found this book to offer fresh insight on what it means to run, as well as actionable tips to shift the mental and spiritual state of most people’s running to a more favorable one. Especially in westernized running, people run for results and outcomes - but that’s not really what running is about. You can chase results and outcomes from any activity or sport; what separates running is the act itself, the magical feeling of gliding through the air and immersing yourself into a mystical world untraveled by most.

I actually read this book in high school, and while it did help me understand the importance of visualization, I feel the core message of this book was lost on me - being a less experienced runner. Reading this years later, I now understand what this book is trying to convey and teach.

So the bad? I feel this book doesn’t do a great job of truly selling itself to the less experienced runner. If someone just started running in a couch to 5k program, I have a hard time believing they’ll get much enjoyment out of this book. No mater how hard they visualize and tell themselves the importance of relaxation - they are probably struggling to just run a mile. I feel this book is targeted towards more advanced runners who already have an established relationship with the sport.

My other complaint is I feel much of the visualization/affirmation protocols can feel a bit loosey-goosey. In one section, I am told to visualize feeling smooth and gliding through the race to cross the finish line effortlessly. In another, I am told to picture myself fatigued but still being able to stay relaxed and work through the discomfort when finishing my race. The book clearly explains the benefit to each of these exercises, but how would each of these exercises fit into a broader approach? Are these done on different days? Am I supposed to do each of them in the same session? Do I only do the fatigued exercise when I feel I need to “improve” how I handle fatigue?

I feel that this book offers many different tools, but not much actionable structure around them, leaving it up to the runner to experiment and find what works for them. This isn’t inherently a bad thing, though I know many people would prefer a more structured approach towards all of this.

In summary, it’s not perfect - but for the moderate to advanced runners who want fresh perspectives on what it means to run and how to better their relationship with the mental and spiritual sides of running…it’s a good (and short) read.