I love reading and I love books, always have. Thanks to a long commute on a train every day, I have the privilege to have a lot of time to read. Reading a book will always widen your horizon and give you the opportunity to learn something new. That’s why books are a brilliant gift to give in my opinion. It is a wonderful way to share your passion with other people in your life and to share new insights.
It is probably not a surprise that I’m drawn to certain genres of books. I love reading non-fiction, specifically about endurance training and nutrition. I equally like autobiographies of interesting people telling their stories, such as mountaineers, ultra marathoners and adventurer.
This is just a small selection of books that I’ve read more recently and thoroughly enjoyed (in no particular order).
Training for the New Alpinism: A Manual for the Climber as Athlete (by Steve House, Scott Johnston & Mark Twight) – A wonderful training manual not only for professional Climbers and Mountaineers but also for ambitious amateurs. The authors not only explain their training approach but also go into depth about the Why.
Training for the Uphill Athlete: A Manual for Mountain Runners and Ski Mountaineers (by Steve House, Scott Johnston & Kilian Jornet) – This is the new book from Steve House and Scott Johnston focusing much more on the Mountain Runners and Ski Mountaineers. I’m still working on this one, but the authors stayed true to their principle of explaining not only the method but also the science behind. I really enjoy reading this and think the lessons taken from both books have a very broad application to individuals just trying to become and stay fit.
Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen (by Christopher McDougall) – A very entertaining book about running long distances and searching for answers. Whether you agree with the author’s view on running form or not, it is still a wonderful book which will make you reflect, nonetheless.
Eat and Run: My Unlikely Journey to Ultramarathon Greatness (Scott Jurek) – Anyone who read anything about ultramarathons has heard of Scott the exceptional athlete who eats plants. This is a very candid recount of his life and what he learned throughout his career.
Journals: Captain Scott’s Last Expedition (by Robert Falcon Scott) – A very different book from the others in the sense that it is much older. Nonetheless the journals from Robert Falcon Scott from his last expedition trying to be the first to reach the south pole are fascinating. The unbelievable hardship the whole team went through, the hope they had in new technology and the adventurous nature of this endeavour is a very worthwhile read.
Mountains in My Heart: A Passion for Climbing (by Gerlinde Kaltenbrunner) – I’ve read many books from extreme mountaineers but this one stands out. Not only because the author is a female who accomplished extraordinary things during her career but also because the ways she tells her story in this book is like having a conversation with her. The story is captivating without any unnecessary drama. Just the sheer will and stamina she demonstrated throughout her life is inspiring.