Research Articles
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Brian Torrance assists in running coaching and program development in Aerobic Power Training Systems. He has a Bachelors of Physical Education Degree and a Masters of Science degree from the Department of Medicine, both from the U of A. Brian is currently working at the University in a large population health study titled Healthy Hearts. Brian brings a hand’s on approach to his coaching and program development using specific, individualized plans to suit an athlete’s capabilities. Brian’s tips for race preparation will get an athlete to their best for race day. Each month Brian will contribute an article that will aid the development of an endurance athlete. |
Research Articles 7. Inspirational Holiday Shopping Tips from Coach Jon
7. Inspirational Holiday Shopping Tips from Coach Jon
Written by Dr. Jon McGavock
I have to admit that even I was not willing to put up any research data over the Holiday break, so I thought I would spice things up a little. First I thought I would talk about the physics of Guinness, but we buy it for the taste and not the bubbles so I dropped that idea. Next, I thought I would provide everyone with the number of calories in holiday treats and the estimated the amount of exercise you would need to perform to fend off the Holiday Heavies (i.e. 2 glasses of egg nog = ~10km worth of running), but that was out of order. So I figured I would help you do some of your last minute holiday shopping, by providing you with some motivational books you might want to check out for yourself or any of your training partners.
Jon’s Top Ten Motivational Books Related to Endurance Sport:
Here it goes:
| 10. | Into Thin Air – Jon Krakauer. One account of the infamous 1996 Mt. Everest tragedy which saw two of the world’s greatest climbers perish. |
| 9. | On that same note, if you read Into Thin Air you must also read the personal accounts of two other climbers on the mountain at the same time: Left for Dead: My Journey Home from Everest – Beck Weathers and The Climb – Anatoli Boukreev |
| 8. | It’s Not About the Bike – Lance Armstrong. This is an obvious choice and for those of you who haven’t read it, it will get you on your bike after every chapter and bless the ground you ride on for your current level of fitness. |
| 7. | Endurance - Alfred Lansing. The remarkable story of Ernest Shackleton’s attempted 1914 South Pole expedition. Perhaps the most extraordinary tale of leadership I have ever encountered. |
| 6. | The Long Walk – Slawomir Rawicz. An extraordinary story about four men who trekked the Siberian tundra, Gobi Desert and Himalayas without a compass or gear in a race to freedom. You will never drop out of a race or quit a workout early after this one. |
| 5. | Man’s Search for Meaning – Victor Frankl. This should be mandatory reading for every human being, not just endurance athletes. |
Fiction and Non-fictional Accounts of Endurance Athletes/Teams.
| 4. | Gold in the Water. PH Mullen. The author spent a year following the Santa Clara Swim club and their quest for Olympic Gold. If you think you train hard…think again. |
| 3. | Running with the Buffaloes. – Chris Lear. The author follows a coach and his cross-country team in the fall season at the University of Colorado. It is an emotional rollercoaster and provides insight into one of the most successful distance running teams in the US. |
| 2. | The Silence of Great Distance: Women Running Long Frank Murphy. A detailed account of the history of women’s running and a rare account of the life of a female endurance athlete. |
| 1. | Once a Runner – John L. Parker. My personal favorite and a book that I have given to every young teammate of mine in my short running career. Be prepared to go for a run at the end of every page, never mind every chapter. It is fictional however and may not appeal to those “hard core” triathletes who want numbers, heart rate zones and lactate levels. Instead it will provide you with the most important of physiological variable associated with running….inspiration. |
And if you like these types of books, other books of this nature include:
A Season on the Brink – John Feinstein. A Year in the Life of Indiana Basketball Coach Bob Knight.
Friday Night Lights – An incredible tale of the impact of high school football in a small Texas town. The author has never been asked to return.
