Why am I passionate about this?

When I was a journalist, writing about health and fitness for women’s magazines and national newspapers, I had a strong sense that much of the advice being doled out by personal trainers and other ‘experts’ was dubious, to say the least. I decided to see for myself, embarking on an Exercise and Sport Science degree and training as a running coach. Two decades on, with a handful of running books and a 13-year-strong column in Runner’s World to my name, I still like to delve into the science underpinning physical activity to see if it really stands up, and if so, for who, and under what circumstances?  


I wrote

Run Your Best Marathon: Your trusted guide to training and racing better

By Sam Murphy,

Book cover of Run Your Best Marathon: Your trusted guide to training and racing better

What is my book about?

Published in September 2022, this book offers the latest evidence-based information and advice on every aspect of marathon training without…

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The books I picked & why

Book cover of Why Die? The Extraordinary Percy Cerutty 'Maker of Champions'

Sam Murphy Why did I love this book?

The title of this biography about the Australian maverick running coach (one Cerutty had originally planned for a book he never wrote) speaks volumes.

After decades of ill health, Cerutty defied medical expectations by transforming himself into a remarkable physical specimen in his mid-40s through diet and exercise. He applied his unorthodox ideas about running (heavy weights, galloping, sand dune running, spear-carrying, and a mainly vegetarian wholegrain diet) to those he coached – leading Herb Elliot to Olympic gold in the 1960 1500 metres.

Cerutty was a colourful, controversial character and Sims’ book is a gripping read. But what I really took from it was the importance of questioning accepted wisdom, of being playful and curious with your training. Of asking ‘what if?’

By Graem Sims,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Why Die? The Extraordinary Percy Cerutty 'Maker of Champions' as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

This is the definitive biography of Australia's most enigmatic, pioneering and controversial athletics coach - best remembered as coach of John Landy in his quest to break the four-minute mile, and of Herb Elliot in preparation for the 1960 Rome Olympics.


Book cover of Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen

Sam Murphy Why did I love this book?

This must be one of the most widely read running books. For good reason – it’s a great read – exciting story, quirky characters – by an excellent journalist.

But at the heart of it lies one question: ‘Why does my foot hurt?’ McDougall’s quest to find out, his deep dive into the evidence underpinning many accepted aspects of the ‘science’ of running, is what influenced me as a runner, and as a coach.

Why do runners wear built-up shoes? Why do runners only move their bodies in one plane of motion and expect to have all-round fitness? Why do so many people lose the joy in running? Why don’t we eat salad for breakfast? If you read this book, and change nothing about your running, I’ll be surprised.

By Christopher McDougall,

Why should I read it?

4 authors picked Born to Run as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

At the heart of Born to Run lies a mysterious tribe of Mexican Indians, the Tarahumara, who live quietly in canyons and are reputed to be the best distance runners in the world; in 1993, one of them, aged 57, came first in a prestigious 100-mile race wearing a toga and sandals. A small group of the world's top ultra-runners (and the awe-inspiring author) make the treacherous journey into the canyons to try to learn the tribe's secrets and then take them on over a course 50 miles long.

With incredible energy and smart observation, McDougall tells this story while…


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Book cover of From One Cell: A Journey into Life's Origins and the Future of Medicine

From One Cell By Ben Stanger,

Everybody knows that all animals—bats, bears, sharks, ponies, and people—start out as a single cell: the fertilized egg. But how does something no bigger than the period at the end of this sentence give rise to the remarkable complexity of each of these creatures?

FROM ONE CELL is a dive…

Book cover of The Art of Running: Raising Your Performance with the Alexander Technique

Sam Murphy Why did I love this book?

As an Alexander Technique teacher, Balk’s approach to movement is one of enquiry. What happens if I do X? How does it feel when I visualise Y? “Without awareness,” he says, “things cannot be changed.”

But don’t be fooled into thinking that this is an airy-fairy guide for people who don’t care about speed or performance. An accomplished masters athlete himself, Balk has applied the principles of AT to running with great results. I followed his advice and many of his words of wisdom remain firmly ingrained in my brain, two decades later. “Don’t run into the ground, run over it.”

By Malcolm Balk, Andrew Shields,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Art of Running as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Although running is becoming one of the most popular sports, learning to run properly can take time, energy and consistency.

You need to do it regularly to become good at it and until you have achieved a certain level of competence, it is unlikely that you will enjoy it very much, or for very long. For many runners physical and mental barriers can stop progress.

This book's ultimate aim is to help you enjoy to run - to enjoy the feeling of movement, to overcome inertia, to renew yourself and to boost energy as a result. Master the Art of…


Book cover of Why We Run: A Natural History

Sam Murphy Why did I love this book?

American marathon legend Bill Rodgers is quoted on the back cover of Why We Run saying, “This is not a how-to book, it’s a why book.”

He’s right, and Heinrich answers the question of why through a fascinating blend of biology, anthropology, philosophy, and psychology. It’s both a universal inquiry and a personal one: the book gets its narrative thread from Heinrich’s build-up towards competing in a 100km race, through which we are introduced to his experimental training methods and the thinking behind them.

I’ll leave you to find out how the race pans out…

By Bernd Heinrich,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Why We Run as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

“Each new page [is] more spellbinding than the one before—this is surely one of the most interesting books I’ve ever read.”—Elizabeth Marshall Thomas, author of The Hidden Life of Dogs

When Bernd Heinrich decided to write a memoir of his ultramarathon running experience he realized that the preparation for the race was as important, if not more so, than the race itself. Considering the physiology and motivation of running from a scientific point of view, he wondered what he could learn from other animals.

In Why We Run, Heinrich considers the flight endurance of birds, the antelope’s running prowess and…


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Book cover of Brother. Do. You. Love. Me.

Brother. Do. You. Love. Me. By Manni Coe, Reuben Coe (illustrator),

Brother. Do. You. Love. Me. is a true story of brotherly love overcoming all. Reuben, who has Down's syndrome, was trapped in a care home during the pandemic, spiralling deeper into a non-verbal depression. From isolation and in desperation, he sent his older brother Manni a text, "brother. do. you.…

Book cover of The Science of Running: How to find your limit and train to maximize your performance

Sam Murphy Why did I love this book?

OK, so this dense tome about the science of running is not for the fainthearted.

Magness formerly worked with the Nike Oregon Project and spoke out about his suspicions regarding the methods of Alberto Salazar (who was later found guilty of doping allegations). The depth and breadth of his knowledge is immense and although his writing style isn’t perfect, there is so much to be learned within these pages.

My copy is littered with notes and underlines, and my coaching methods have undoubtedly been influenced by his training philosophy.

By Steve Magness,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Science of Running as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Reviews of The Science of Running:"The Science of Running sets the new standard for training theory and physiological data. Every veteran and beginner distance coach needs to have this on their book shelf."-Alan WebbAmerican Record Holder-Mile 3:46.91 "For anyone serious about running, The Science of Running offers the latest information and research for optimizing not only your understanding of training but also your performance. If you want to delve deeper into the world of running and training, this book is for you. You will never look at running the same."-Jackie Areson, 15th at the 2013 World Championships in the 5k.…


Explore my book 😀

Run Your Best Marathon: Your trusted guide to training and racing better

By Sam Murphy,

Book cover of Run Your Best Marathon: Your trusted guide to training and racing better

What is my book about?

Published in September 2022, this book offers the latest evidence-based information and advice on every aspect of marathon training without blinding you with science. Just as importantly, it gives you the knowledge you need to decide how it all applies to you – your strengths and weaknesses, experience level, and aspirations. The six programmes are not based on set time goals, because every runner embarking on them is unique. Instead, they are based on different training volumes to cater to all levels of time availability, inclination, energy, experience, and injury propensity. 

It’s not just about getting to the start line either – a comprehensive section on race preparation and execution helps ensure you reach the finish line in a time you’re proud of, too.

Book cover of Why Die? The Extraordinary Percy Cerutty 'Maker of Champions'
Book cover of Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen
Book cover of The Art of Running: Raising Your Performance with the Alexander Technique

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Interested in long-distance running, running, and marathons?

Running 20 books
Marathons 27 books