QT Book Review: Ready to Run and Becoming a Supple Leopard

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I’m a sucker for a good book.

Pretty much always have been, if I’m honest.

I recently pulled the trigger on a couple of books I’d been thinking about buying for a while.

And, not surprisingly, I wish I would have bought them sooner.

The Books I’m Reading These Days

While I really do enjoy reading, I don’t make as much time for reading as I would like.

And when I do make time to read, I tend to only read work-related books.

Business. Entrepreneurship. Personal development. Those types of books.

But every once in a while, a book I read ticks the boxes of work and leisure.

Specifically, these are the books that are looking at the biomechanics and/or physiology of running.

#noliesdetected

Today’s Book Review

The two books I bought recently may not be everyone’s cup of tea.

But that doesn’t mean they might not be worth adding to your bookshelf.

These books are both written by Dr. Kelley Starrett, and this guy knows his stuff when it comes to the human body, how it works, and how to take care of it.

If you’re looking to stay healthy and keep growing as a runner, there are lots of books and resources out there that can help you achieve those ends.

But near as I can tell, these are two of the best.

Ready to Run

There is a legitimate chance that I may wear out my copy of Ready to Run eventually.

I can see this being one of those books that I reference at least a few times a week, it’s that good.

The premise of the book is pretty straightforward: modern life isn’t exactly great for our bodies.

And unless we are intentionally working to keep our bodies fit and healthy, it’s likely that we will break down as we keep logging our miles.

So another book talking about the importance of doing the little things?

Not quite.

This book is a fan of the little things but cranked to 11.

Mobilizing joints. Adding strength. Changing habits.

Every. Single. Day.

Becoming a Supple Leopard

This book is basically a college textbook.

It’s an absolute beast, and I love it!

Becoming a Supple Leopard is pretty Ready to Run on steroids.

All the depth. All the detail.

Everything you might want or need, in a ~500-page tome.

Which Book to Choose?

If you’re going to add to your bookshelf, which book should you choose?

I definitely think both books work well together, and I’ve certainly found it useful to have both books at my disposal.

If running is your thing, and that’s about it, then Ready to Run is more than enough.

It’s a lot easier to digest, it’s a very easy read, and it’s geared specifically toward us as runners.

Get the book and start working on any of the weak links you discover that you have.

But if you tend to do a fair bit more than running, it might be worth going nuts and grabbing Becoming a Supple Leopard.

OCRs. CrossFit. Other sporting events or endeavors.

Becoming a Supple Leopard looks at the whole body in a way that Ready to Run simply doesn’t.

And for more whole-body athletes, I would think Supple Leopard would be a better resource.

Do. The. Work.

If you end up getting either book, the most important thing is doing the work.

These aren’t books you read once and then move on from.

These are reference books that you’ll likely want to return to frequently.

But more importantly, these are books that require taking action daily.

If you’re not going to spend 10-20 minutes per day working on your mobility, these books aren’t going to do much to help you become stronger, fitter, or more resilient to injury.

But if you do the work?

Getting one or both of these books could be the best money you spend in support of your running success this year.

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A quick review of Ready to Run and Becoming a Supple Leopard. #runchat #runningbooks Click To Tweet

What are Your Go-To Resources for Learning About Running Health/Performance?

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