Anonymous wrote:books:
Born to Run
Scott Jurek's book
Finding Ultra, Rich Roll
Running with the Kenyans
Haruki Murakami's book on running
The Long Run (NY firefighter book)

I also like non-running outdoors adventure books as motivation for running. Mountain climbing and biking books are good for me because they cover a lot of the same themes. Touching the Void, K2, Into Thin Air.

Remembered another one -- You Are an Ironman, by Jacques Steinberg (sp?). I liked this one a lot because it's got lots of stories about semi-normal people, not super-athletes, pushing themselves.

I've read one or two Dean Karnazes books, and they were OK, but I can't remember specifics.

Ray Zahab - Running for my Life. Really enjoyed this one a lot. Very funny and accessible even for a middling runner like me.

Just an article, but Annie Bersagel is a current athlete I find very inspiring:

http://www.forbes.com/sites/marcedelman/2014/11/04/u-s-lawyer-finished-top-10-in-the-2014-nyc-marathon/

The book "Born to Run" inspired me immensely.

books:
Born to Run
Scott Jurek's book
Finding Ultra, Rich Roll
Running with the Kenyans
Haruki Murakami's book on running
The Long Run (NY firefighter book)

I also like non-running outdoors adventure books as motivation for running. Mountain climbing and biking books are good for me because they cover a lot of the same themes. Touching the Void, K2, Into Thin Air.

Without Limits
Chariots of Fire

What books, movies, etc do you find motivational as a runner (or someone picking up running)? Any great & inspiring stories out there?