The Elements of Effort: Reflections on the Art and Science of Running

John Jerome, a veteran runner and writer, means this book to be the fitness analogue to Strunk and White's The Elements of Style, which is considered an indispensable guide to writers and those who aspire to write. It's hard to say whether or not The Elements of Effort will prove equally valuable to runners and those who aspire to run, but it's sure fun to read. Jerome combines information on exercise physiology with commonsense advice on how and why to train, and with whimsical thoughts about which running injuries sound most impressive at parties. It's a short book, but if you're a runner, you won't find a more engaging and enlightening two-hour read.