As I make my way into Central Park, a little over 23 miles, the crowd’s loud cheering is a reminder of the finish line ahead. I try to pick up the pace, but my legs are angrily screaming at me to stop. It’s not an option. I hit the wall a few miles back in the Bronx, but I’m still pushing forward. When I pass the 25th mile on Central Park South, I’m greeted by my family and cousins, who give me the final loving push I need to make this an unforgettable experience.

When I reflect back on my first marathon, I was maybe a little too ambitious going into it, but it taught me valuable lessons. Since then, I have become more committed to running, and running has improved every aspect of my life for the better. I met new people, became a healthier person, learned how to balance my work and personal life, and ultimately discovered more about myself.

There are 9 days left until the 2015 TCS NYC Marathon! It’s time to get your New York on and your reading on! This blog post is a continuation of my first set of running book recommendations. We all connect to books differently, and for me the following set of books mean a lot to me. Even after the race is over, my running and reading will continue.

Eat & Run: My Unlikely Journey to Ultramarathon Greatness

Christopher McDougall’s Born to Run book introduced me to Scott Jurek, an ultrarunner who recently broke the Appalachian Trail thru-hike record by running 2,189 miles in 46 days, 8 hours, and 7 minutes. After reading about the race held in the Copper Canyon that pitted Scott Jurek against tribe members of the Tarahumara in Born to Run, I decided to learn more about Jurek, and read Eat & Run.

One reason I took up recreational running was to become healthier and lose weight. In the past few months I have been more strict about what I eat by cooking my meals and choosing to eat smarter. Since then, my racing times have improved, and Eat & Run further helped me to understand the importance of a balanced diet and its relationship to running.

In Eat & Run, Jurek recalls how his childhood and family shaped his eating and running habits. His ultramarathon race anecdotes are followed by a unique recipe at the end of each chapter, sometimes elaborated on from a previous recipe. While Jurek may be a strict eater, he doesn’t imply that everyone should take up his diet: the connection between food, running, and feeling good about oneself is much more valuable. But, of course, it’s interesting to find out what fuels an amazing runner like Scott Jurek through hours of running.

Ultramarathon Man: Confessions of an All-Night Runner

One of my fellow teammates —so fast we dubbed him Flash—coached me over the summer to become a faster track runner. During a long run we chatted about books and ultramarathons, which led to this recommendation. I can’t thank him enough: as I head into my first ultramarathon later this year, this real first-person account of ultrarunning revealed a whole new world to me.

On his 30th birthday, Dean Karnazes wanted more out of his life, and, after more than 15 years of not running, he abruptly decided to run. He ran straight through that very night, then he kept on running in the morning, and when he finished he realized that he wanted to keep on pushing himself. Karnazes describes a few of his amazing long distance races, including the Western States 100 mile race and the Badwater 135 ultramarathon race, and what sets him apart is his character while running. For a runner who constantly trains for hours on end, he maintains a positive and cheerful attitude, and always has time for his family.

Ultramarathon Man culminates with an epic description of a 199 mile run—a run to help a young girl on the organ transplant waiting list, and to prove to himself that he can run that distance. Normally, the 199 mile race is run by teams where members of each team individually run five miles at a time. Karnazes decided to be his own group. This commitment, determination, and perseverance that Karnazes displays amazed me.

It’s difficult not to be inspired or to get emotional when reading Ultramarathon Man. I have been getting up before 6 a.m. twice a week to train, running about 12-14 miles before work. Karnazes has a similar training regimen, but then continues his training after work, and still has enough time to spend with his family. I’m not comparing myself to Karnazes; I’m inspired and enlightened to know that it’s possible to further push my limits and still enjoy life with  focus and determination.

What I Talk About When I Talk About Running: A Memoir

I’m a huge fan of Haruki Murakami: I even met him once at a book signing, and he signed three novels for me. This was before What I Talk About When I Talk About Running was published, before I realized Murakami was a devoted runner too.

Murakami’s memoir allowed me to get to know one of my favorite authors: a reclusive writer who shares a common interest in running. Running is not just a hobby for Murakami, but rather a way for him to express himself and gain clarity and focus when writing. Even though this is a memoir, Murakami mostly describes his writing and running life: how he runs six miles a day preparing for a marathon, how he ran from Athens to Marathon in Greece, how he ran an ultramarathon, how he ran the NYC Marathon, and how, even if he finishes at a slow time, he never walked.

For runners and non-runners alike, What I Talk About When I Talk About Running is a great way to learn more about this world-renowned  author. Here’s an excellent blog post on NYPL about this memoir.

Dune

Frank Herbert’s novel Dune is not directly related to running. Cited as the world’s best-selling science fiction novel, Dune is about the political and economic struggle between worlds set in the distant future, but there’s a specific passage in this novel that has stuck with me since I first read it. As the protagonist Paul Atreides is being tested by the leader of the Bene Gesserit, a powerful order of women, he repeats the Litany Against Fear that his mother (also a member of the Bene Gesserit) taught him:

“I must not fear; fear is the mind-killer...”

This phrase is repeated by those who must remain focused and calm when facing adversity.

As I line up before a race, I’m in an anxious state and my nerves take over me. Like other runners, repeating a mantra helps me to concentrate throughout a run. For me, the Litany Against Fear is one of my mantras. I am a huge science fiction fan, and besides transporting me to a foreign world, Dune has mentally prepared me to collect myself and not stray into self-doubt. This last recommendation is also meant for the reader to find a novel that means a lot to them, and to remember that deep inspiration can be found in books.

Final Sprint

These runners are fierce yet humble competitors who never forget to thank volunteers, supporters, and family. After winning a race, they wait at the finish line to cheer on their fellow competitors. I too have learned that although running is a solitary sport, your competitors, teammates, and family run with you in spirit. Since being part of Queens Distance Runners, I have met so many wonderful runners who give nothing less than everything they have—whether it be through volunteering, cheering, or running.

I’m going into this year’s NYC Marathon with confidence: I made my way into the “local competitive” standings, I have the support of teammates and family, and I have an amazing friend who is the team captain and my training partner. It's very important to also train your mind, and reading these inspiring stories help to push one step at a time.