Distance running is one of the simplest activities known to man, one that our bodies have evolved to be good at. Early in this book, the author jokes that this volume contains, fully within it, a second book called The Self-Actualized Runner’s Step-by-Step Guidebook for Living , which reads, in its entirety, “Step One: Start running. Step Two: You’ve already taken it. Step Three: Repeat steps one and two until you understand exactly who you are and why you do what you do.” Even so, for most people, distance running is more aspiration than reality. How can something so simple be so difficult? According to Riedesel, running really is that easy, but becoming a person who runs regularly can be incredibly hard, as millions of health-minded would-be runners discover each year. It’s a pursuit that requires determination, time management, and a fair amount of psychological work, especially during those first runs, when the practice has not yet become a habit. With this book, the author coache...
