Michael Pollan's How to Change Your Mind meets Christopher McDougall's Born to Run in this immersive, investigative look at the hidden culture of cannabis use among elite athletes (as well as weekend warriors)--and the surprising emerging science behind the elusive, exhilarating "runner's high" they all seek. Pot makes exercise fun. The link between performance enhancement and cannabis has been an open secret for many years, so much so that with the wide-sweeping national legalization of cannabis, combining weed and working out has become the hottest new wellness trend. Why, then, is there still a skewed perception around this leafy substance that it only produces the lazy, red-eyed stoner laid out on a couch somewhere, munching on junk food? In fact, scientists have conducted extensive research that uncovers the power of the "runner's high"--the true holy grail of aerobic activity that was long believed to be caused by endorphins. In an extraordinary reversal, scientists believe marijuana may actually be the key to getting more Americans off their phones and on to their feet. In Runner's High, seasoned investigative journalist Josiah Hesse takes readers on a journey through the secret world of stoned athletes, describing astounding, cannabis-inspired physical and mental transformations, just like he experienced. From the economics of the $20 billion CBD market to the inherent inequalities in the enforcement of marijuana prohibition; from the mind-body connection behind the "runner's high" to the best way to make your own cannabis-infused power bars; Runner's High takes this groundbreaking science out of the lab and onto the trail, court, field, and pitch, fundamentally changing the way we think about exercise, recovery, and cannabis.

“A Runner’s High wakes up the appetite to run long distances. Dean takes us on a lifelong journey of ultramarathons, through the ups and downs, the friendships and lonely moments, and the struggles and rewards of each race. Dean writes in a direct and intimate way that keeps us reading like he runs—without stopping.”—Kilian Jornet, author of Above the Clouds and world champion ultramarathoner “A Runner's High is a powerful narrative on life, running and finding meaning through perseverance. Every runner should read this book.”— Jason Koop, Coach and bestselling author New York Times bestselling author and ultramarathoning legend Dean Karnazes has pushed his body and mind to inconceivable limits, from running in the shoe melting heat of Death Valley to the lung freezing cold of the South Pole. He’s raced and competed across the globe and once ran 50 marathons, in 50 states, in 50 consecutive days. In A Runner’s High, Karnazes chronicles his extraordinary adventures leading up to his return to the Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run in his mid-fifties after first completing the race decades ago. The Western States, infamous for its rugged terrain and extreme temperatures, becomes the most demanding competition of Karnazes’s life, a physical and emotional reckoning and a battle to stay true to one’s purpose. Confronting his age, his career path, and his life choices, we see Karnazes as we never have before. For Karnazes, the running experience is about the runner and the trail. It is not the sum of achievements but a story that continues to be told each day, with each step. A Runner’s High is at once an endorphin-fueled adventure and a love letter to the sport from one of its most celebrated ambassadors that will leave both casual and serious runners cheering.

The number one do-not-try-this-at-home book: In Runner's High or: Can LSD Make You Gay? you will learn why getting high on your own supply is the best habit you can give yourself, what a shame it was that the hippies dragged a perfectly good drug through the mud in the 1960s, and how the parasitic fungus that may have caused the Salem Witch Trials could be used by the human race as major weapon in the fight against depression, addiction and mental illness. You'll be taken on a grand tour of everything from how the CIA tried using LSD to brainwash people during the cold war to the story of how the marathon (and later the ultramarathon) came to be. How do people buy drugs in the 21st century? How safe is it to use Bitcoin to buy LSD on the Darknet? To finally learn the answers to these questions and many more, join author Lucas Simon Drake on his personal journey to understand what feats the human body is capable of doing when tested to its limits. We may be born to run, but running fifty miles while under the influence of a hallucinogenic drug is not an experience for the faint of heart. Yet it might be the kind of experiment the scientific community requires to answer the age-old question: can LSD make you gay?

Nearly every human on the planet learns to walk as a toddler and run shortly thereafter. Many go on to run recreationally or even competitively, but never learn to fully utilize their bodies’ potential. Kevin Everett provides a path to create more mindful and purposeful walking, running, and ultimately moving throughout life toward personal health empowerment. The Heart of Running takes the reader on a journey to discover the “runner’s high” or “flow state.” That sense of purpose and mindful motion gives anyone the edge needed to complete the marathon, competition, steep hill or even simple walk with a stroller in tow with better physical performance and metaphysical benefits. Once a runner, walker, athlete, parent or child learns to harness and maintain that edge, a passion is built to attain a constant and reliable form of self-satisfaction. The Heart of Running places the reader on a path to achieve the runner’s high every time.

A science writer and recreational runner explores the science behind popularly held beliefs about shoes, injuries, nutrition, "runner's high," and more. Conventional wisdom about running is passed down like folklore (and sometimes contradicts itself): the right kind of shoe prevents injury--or running barefoot, like our prehistoric ancestors, is best; eat a high-fat diet--and also carbo load before a race; running cures depression--but it might be addictive; running can save your life--although it can also destroy your knee cartilage. Often it's hard to know what to believe. In Running Smart, Mariska van Sprundel, a science journalist and recreational runner who has had her fair share of injuries, sets out to explore the science behind such claims. In her quest, van Sprundel reviews the latest developments in sports science, consults with a variety of experts, and visits a sports lab to have her running technique analyzed. She learns, among other things, that according to evolutionary biology, humans are perfectly adapted to running long distances (even if our hunter-gatherer forebears suffered plenty of injuries); that running sets off a shockwave that spreads from foot to head, which may or may not be absorbed by cushioned shoes; and that a good sports bra controls the ping pong-like movements of a female runner's breasts. She explains how the body burns fuel, the best foods to eat before and after running, and what might cause "runner's high." More than fifty million Americans are runners (and a slight majority of them are women). This engaging and enlightening book will help both novice and seasoned runners run their smartest.

The story of visionary American running coach Bob Larsen's mismatched team of elite California runners who would win championships and Olympic glory in a decades-long pursuit of "the epic run." In the dusty hills above San Diego, Bob Larsen became America's greatest running coach. Running to the Edge is a riveting account of Larsen's journey, and his quest to discover the unorthodox training secrets that would lead American runners to breakthroughs never imagined. Futterman interweaves the dramatic stories of Larsen's runners with a fascinating discourse on the science behind human running, as well as a personal running narrative that follows Futterman's own checkered love-affair with the sport. The result is a narrative that will speak to every runner, a story of Larsen's triumphs--from high school cross-country meets to the founding of the cult-favorite, 70's running group, the Jamul Toads; from his long tenure as head coach at UCLA to the secret training regimen of world champion athletes like Larsen's protégé, Meb Keflezighi. Running to the Edge is a page-turner . . . a relentless crusade to run faster, farther.

Meet Sherman Leopold Kindle, aka K1, a ninth grader beginning his high school journey as a talented but apprehensive member of the cross country team. Over the course of the season, he learns to rise to the challenge of the work through self-discipline, teamwork, and most importantly, empathy. Sherman's often hilarious, sometimes pathetic, and ultimately inspiring coach mentors all of the runners - whether veteran or rookie, braggart or slacker, star or dud - in less-than-conventional fashion. Despite his life falling apart, Coach Viddstein molds his team and leads them to their greatest success. Written in the warm, nostalgic style of John L. Parker, Jr.'s classic Once a Runner, this novel is about the value of self-discipline and training, and how athletic skills strengthen character. As Sherman learns to conquer his own limitations, he discovers the lessons that Coach Viddstein instills in him are essential to understanding his conflicted feelings for his family, teammates, classmates, and the grueling sport that has chosen him. High School Runner demonstrates that while individual races may be won or lost, the real sense of triumph comes from knowing how to pace oneself in this mad dash we call life. "If you're a runner, this story is a must-read. If you're not, read it anyway. Very funny." -Mark Hentemann, executive producer/writer Family Guy "Funny, inspiring, distinct of character, and rich in detail, High School Runner rightly belongs in the canon of other fine tales of the track. Kenley more than lived up to my standard with such books: it made me want to go out and run - fast. -Neal Bascomb, author of The Perfect Mile "A solid debut set in the demanding world of high school distance runners, lit with pathos and humor." -Kirkus Reviews

A New York Times bestseller 'A sensation ... a rollicking tale well told' - The Times 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 asking what the secrets are to being an incredible runner. Travelling to labs at Harvard, Nike, and elsewhere, he comes across an incredible cast of characters, including the woman who recently broke the world record for 100 miles and for her encore ran a 2:50 marathon in a bikini, pausing to down a beer at the 20 mile mark.

"High Performance Long Distance Running" is a book for long-distance runners (5,000 metres to the Marathon) and their coaches. The book is practically based on sound principles, which have been tried and tested repeatedly. Progression, planning, preparation and peaking are all important parts of the complete performance.

Running can shape a young athlete in healthy, positive ways for the rest of her life. Girls Running offers the guidance and tools girls need to thrive on their running journey, right from the start. With straight talk on training, physiology, menstruation, sports nutrition, a winning mindset, body image issues, gear, team-building, and competition, Girls Running educates and empowers young runners to achieve their potential and love running more. Inspired by high-school phenom Melody Fairchild’s groundbreaking running journey, and with the coaching insight from Fairchild and coauthor Elizabeth Carey, Girls Running is a valuable toolkit for middle- and high-school runners. Backed by science, research, and over 100,000 miles of experience, this resource answers the most timely and sensitive questions that girls face when their bodies change and the miles increase. Girls, parents, and coaches will see ways to navigate puberty, mental health, eating disorders, and the pressures of competitive running. Girls Running is a go-to guide for everything girls need to know to run betterand love the journey while doing it!