Born to Run examines distance running and the peaks of human endurance. Along the way, Christopher McDougall presents a love letter to the act of running.

Few people can claim as large an influence on running in America than Phil Knight. The Nike founder details challenges in building a behemoth that revolutionized sneakers.

Haruki Murakami reflects in this memoir on changes in his life, from jazz bar owner to writer and runner. His thoughtful style articulates how running cuts through the figurative fog. As he writes, “Exerting yourself to the fullest within your individual limits: That’s the essence of running, and a metaphor for life — and for me, for writing as well.”

In Endure’s review of human limits, it concludes many barriers are more mental than physical. Alex Hutchinson meets with top athletes and scientific researchers to explain what we can achieve.

Injuries are a worry for many runners, making proper stretching a must. Who better to ask than the creator of “The Classical Stretch” on PBS? Miranda Esmonde-White offers this useful guide of gentle exercises to resolve aches and pains.