Recently one of my co-workers and I were talking about an article that I read in Running Times. I thoroughly enjoy reading about some of the great experiences people enjoy around the world running whereever they may be.

My co-worker, a former cross country runner for The Ohio State University cross country team. declared “I think that you read about running more than you actually run.”

My thought, well yeah. I just damaged a disc in my lower neck/upper back. But that comment has caused me a lot of thought. How much do I read about running? As I look about my pile of magazines I realized I read ALOT about running. I get Running Times, Triathlete Magazine, Trail Runner, and of course Runners World.

I categorize them like this Running Times is about the human side of running. They do a great job of providing CONTENT. Great stories. Good information for every level of runner.

Triathlete Magazine is probably the most technical magazine out there. I love this magazine. The greatest thing this magazine provides is great advice on technique. I’m not a triathlete (yet) but in a triathlon it’s all about endurance and efficiency. That’s not something that you read in any other magazine. How to maxamize your bodies effort. I look at the other articles, but I only care about the running ones and they are great.

The newest and most different magazine I picked up is Trail Runner. I like this magazine for it’s stories and that it shows a challenging alternative to the running that most people think about. It shows the clear advantage of running off the paved path and just how could it could be. It’s well written, enjoyable to read and good info.

The standby of course is Runners World. It’s a good magazine that has decent articles with a wide range of info. But it’s probably my least favorite magazine. I think because it’s geared for people to scan and not to read. The information always seems good, but never really complete. I still read it, but not cover to cover like the above three.

So why do I read so much? Because it inspires me. I helps me to see that anyone can do what so many people do. It helps me to get through the rough spots. It reminds me of my own personal goals and my drive to run and eventually complete a triathlon. So I’m going to read on and run on.