Informative book which includes lots of research and studies to back up views/opinions. For me, it was a little too much and was a little foggy to get through. I particularly enjoyed the chapter that focussed on nutrition and fuelling for running. I personally found that very helpful and clear to understand.

A huge recommend for runners! This non-fiction book about the science of running exposes the different research and (current) conclusions regarding different aspects of running. It almost takes up these tips people disseminate with only anecdotal evidence and shows us what science really thinks about them, including about special shoes for pronation, hydration and fuel, running barefoot, compression socks, and the different aspects of our bodies/genetics that make us more or less apt for running.
The author talked and met with scientists and it's fascinating to follow the different research that's out there. Some disprove others, etc. so I didn't feel there was as much 'concluding evidence' as it could be, but I took this took as a way to learn about running and my own running experience. I finally understood why some things work for me and others don't, that was truly fascinating. I'll definitely be going back to it time and time again.

RUNNING SMART

As anyone who’s seen me lately can attest, I kind of let myself go during the pandemic, health-wise. Right before then, I’d finally gotten back into the swing of things: finding time for regular exercise again a couple of years after having a child, running again like before, and generally getting my weight back under control. And then? Pandemic. Lockdown. The indescribable stress of keeping things together at work coupled with existential anxiety.

So yeah I pretty much let go, and the general inconvenience/difficulty of wearing a mask (as required) made vigorous exercise a nonstarter. So I decided to just let everything slide. Ate what I wanted. Didn't sweat it (literally). We all cope in different ways, and that’s partly how I did it.

Of course, my forty-plus year-old body now acutely feels the consequences of such a lifestyle.

It’s for this reason I was drawn to Mariska van Sprundel’s Running Smart: How Science Can Improve Your Endurance and Performance. I do about running every now and again, but this time was different. I was looking for something to nudge me back into the habit after a year and a half of inactivity, and van Sprundel’s book seemed to fit the bill.

By that standard, the book certainly does not disappoint.

Van Sprundel is a journalist and a runner herself, and what she often writes about is the science of running. As demonstrated in Running Smart, what makes the subject so interesting to investigate is precisely the fact that the science can be all over the place. This is not to say that what we know about running boils down to hokey anecdotal advice (although there’s a lot of that going on, to be sure); rather, it’s only in the past few decades that rigorous studies of running have taken place—and even then, those who will most benefit from whatever the science might tease out will likely be the elite runners on this earth.

Still, it’s fascinating to learn about the kinds of studies that scientists have cooked up to investigate some aspect of running or another, as well as to understand why there’s no consensus about such things. Should you get footwear that corrects for overpronation? Should you adopt a stride where you land on your forefoot instead of your heel? The evidence is mixed at best, and often, for reasons explained in the book, the appropriate answer is along the lines of “Yes, but…” and “No, but…”. Hence, Running Smart is the kind of book you should read if you’re interested in what science has to say (so far) about [insert running-related subject here], and from there discern what works best in your particular case.

As such, there’s no denying the book has a practical bent, more so in those areas where science can readily point us in a clear direction. For instance, there’s some sensible advice to be gleaned from the book about nutrition before (carbohydrates of course) and during recovery immediately after a run (protein helps, as does avoiding fats or fibers). And the book has an entire chapter devoted to the mental dimension of running and how escalating “perception of effort” is what often causes runners to hit the proverbial wall. Personally, tips like these and more are exactly what I was looking for when I picked up the book, which I’m now excited to try out when I can.

As a book about the science of running, Running Smart is essentially a review of related literature on the subject. But as literature reviews go, van Sprundel’s is likely to strike a nerve among neophytes looking to take up running or get back into it as well as amateurs or professionals already steeped in the activity. The reason is simple: once teased with what science has to say about running, you can’t help but see to what extent it will help up your game, too.

A first-person account of a runner trying to get to the bottom of all the conflicting conventional wisdom in the sport by talking to the experts. It's like the book Mary Roach would write if she were an avid half-marathoner. What shoes are the best? Should you land on the front or back of your foot? What should you eat? The author isn't afraid to lay out the case for a particular approach when there is scientific consensus and punt to personal preference when there isn't.

This book did an excellent job of exploring many facets of running! I learned so much, well-researched and the ideas were clearly communicated. I appreciated the detail and the examples throughout.

Thank you, NetGalley, for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
As a runner, I was curious to see what new science was out there as far as injuries. Van Sprundel provided a lot of information, but it wasn't as new as I would have hoped, as it appears there was some delay in the research, writing, and then the English translation. Still, it was good food for thought especially as it relates to running shoes. This book is dense, as the author conducted many interviews with a wide range of subject matter experts. I especially enjoyed the practical vs. the research. The writing is a little dry, but that may be the translation more than the writing itself.

I am grateful to NetGalley for providing an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This is a book written with the intention to “…search for the science behind running…”. I think it succeeds and being a runner, I thoroughly enjoyed it.

It is laid out in eleven chapters, each covering some aspect of running. Beginning with some history and evolution, the book moves on to more traditional aspect of running including shoes, techniques, body types, nutrition, hydration, psychology and so on. The author is a runner (up to half marathons at the time of writing the book) and she presents these topics well, relating to both amateur and professional runners.

Originally published in Dutch, the author has sought out scientists and specialists in the Netherlands as well as the US, UK and elsewhere. The science is presented, and where conclusive, outcomes are discussed. Where it is inconclusive, the author is clear on the implications. Studies draw conclusions for ‘average’ runners, but as we are all individuals, what may be best for one person, may not be best for another. This is a pragmatic approach to so many aspect of running, and it is refreshing to have inconclusive issues discussed fully and frankly.

Often the advice with inconclusive outcomes is to ‘try’ some approach, equipment, nutrition and so on and see how it is for you; preferably before a big race day ! If your running shoes are comfortable, that is the main thing, rather than the latest shoes which attempt to correct your style or have some special feature.

Each chapter ends with a Tip. A short paragraph with the main take-aways of the discussion. A nice touch if the reader has skimmed some of the scientific discussion. For those wanting further detail, each chapter has a comprehensive bibliography. The research discussed appears to be very up to date and practical. Sometimes clarifying, debunking or at least challenging previously accepted facts regarding running.

I learnt a lot from this book. In particular in the areas of hydration (don’t over hydrate) and shoe selection ( wear comfortable running shoes, not necessarily the latest technology which may or may not make a difference). I liked that outcomes and conclusions were discussed with respect to both professional and amateur runners.

Although there have been many books published over the decades on running, it is only in more recent years that an abundance of scientific studies have been carried out on runners, the human body, DNA and so on. This book should attract both existing and newer runners seeking sound advice and up to date information. The author provides useful and practical information in a warm and inclusive writing style. I wish her the very best with the publication of this book, and of course with her running (and the full marathon she mentions in the epilogue !)

I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
RUNNING SMART sets out to tackle all those things we as runners have heard from fellow runners, the naysayers, or coaches. They break down each subject in great detail and seek out experts to asses some validity of the subjects. As a long distance and ultra runner, I was impressed with the information presented and gave me a chance to analyze my training in a new light. I appreciate that even after tackling each topic with thoroughness, they still show some things cannot be completely determined yet. The final line of the book perfectly summarizes what runners should takeaway, "Sometimes running is simply a matter of taste".
If a runner is looking for a more researched based book to find their "taste" of running, this is a book for them.

This is a comprehensive and well rounded look at one of the world's most popular exercise hobbies - running! From nutrition to shoe selection to gait, this book covers all aspects of running. While I did not find any of the information "new", it was a great read. I would especially recommend it to beginner runners.

Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for review.

Great insight and information from the front lines of science.

Anyone who runs regularly, at the very least, wants to get started knowing that they're not causing direct harm to themselves, and taking every running article related to stride, nutrition, shoes, etc. to heart can leave one thoroughly confused as to what's for them.

This book allows for the reader to make their own decisions as to which avenues they want to take in terms of the many dimensions through which one can improve their running experience and/or training regiment. From examining exhaustion as perceived effort and testing whether striking on the forefoot or heel is superior to shoe cushioning and listening to music, there's a lot of hot topics covered, and that makes this a pretty wonderful resource.

It's true that some of these studies might be superseded very soon by future discoveries, but the way I look at it is that it just sets van Sprundel up for releasing more editions.

A neat aggregate of material guaranteed to at least give you some idea of how to forge your own path toward, well, running smartly. Empowerment via knowledge is a cool thing.

Many thanks to NetGalley and MIT Press for the advance read.

As a recreational runner in my 50s, I was hoping that this book would teach me how I can ramp up my training and not get injured. Unfortunately, there’s no easy answer. As van Sprundel uncovers in her thorough research, multiple research studies often contradict each other. Still, this book contains a wealth of information to inspire runners to make the choices that are right for them regarding shoes, weekly mileage, and more.

The author shares details she learned from the experts she interviewed, interwoven with stories from her experience as a runner. Some sections feel a bit too detailed, but overall, the book flows fairly well.

I especially like the chapters about the mental game of running. The examples right true, including the explanation of why we can feel exhausted near the end of a long race but somehow create a burst of energy when we see the finish line. I also appreciate the comment that running on a treadmill feels faster than running outdoors at the same speed.

Some sections of the book felt a bit clunky, but part of that might be because it is translated from the Dutch. There are some errors, like where it reads “sown together” instead of “sewn together.” Also, the Kindle edition has many formatting errors that I hope the publisher will fix before publication.

This book is a detailed analysis of what the experts have to say about what works and what doesn't in the world of running/jogging.
For someone eager to learn the research findings in a quick and dirty way, this book seems too verbose with a lot of details about each and every research finding and the personal opinions of some of those researchers. At the end, the results are inconclusive.
On the chapter about shoes, I was disappointed to find out after reading the entire chapter that the results are inconclusive and the suggestion is to just wear whatever is comfortable. Really?
Flat feet and high arches - results are inconclusive.
Are genes a factor? We can't say for sure.
Physical factors like height, BMI, etc., can have an impact but we can overcome them.
Running on hard vs soft surfaces - Experts are not so sure.
There are chapters on the right kinds of food and supplements that may help serious athletes.
Overall, the conclusion I got from this book is that the science of running is like an unsolvable puzzle. And my run ended up where I started.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of Running Smart.

As a runner for nearly 18 years, I was excited when my request was approved because I'm always looking for ways to improve my running and ways that will enable me to run well into old age.

The author does a great job exploring the science behind popular and hyped beliefs about shoes, injuries, nutrition, barefoot running, just to name a few.

She puts fact and science at the forefront, talks to renowned scientists studying runners, biomechanics and physiology and participates in some of the studies herself where she eventually discovers that when it comes to running, the best plan is one you are most comfortable with.

Every runner is an individual with his or her own specific needs, injuries, body type, running stance and motivation and commonly held beliefs and myths are based on the 'average' runner, which is a misnomer, since we're all different.

If something works for you as a runner, then go for it.

This is a great book that will help all kinds of runners, seasoned and beginners, run smarter, healthier and easier.