1,001 Pearls of Runners’ Wisdom

Book review from the July/August 2015 Summer Sports Issue

1,001 Pearls of Runners' Wisdom

Skyhorse Publishing, 388 pages

Sometimes we all need a little push to keep moving, or a few thoughtful words to guide us in the right direction. Luckily for runners, Bill Katovsky has gathered inspiration on a wide variety of topics, from motivation to begin running, to training, coaching, shoes, nutrition, marathons and more, into one accessible companion.

1,001 Pearls of Runners’ Wisdom is organized by topic, making it easy for the reader to find wisdom, expert advice and sometimes a few laughs on whichever topic they are seeking inspiration.

With quotes collected from a wide variety of sources including Olympic athletes, philosophers, coaches, pop culture, and literature, Katovsky presents a fresh look at running using a wide lens to view all aspects of the sport.

The inspiration for 1,001 Pearls of Runners’ Wisdom came when Katovsky noted that he had difficulty remembering even a single quote about running. Recalling a short poem by William Carlos Williamson, Katovsky realized the power that a memorable combination of words can have, and set about to compile a collection of quotes meant to inspire runners to see the world differently and to find inspiration within the sport and within themselves.

Whether you have an hour to leisurely browse through the collection, or you just need a quick shot of motivation before a race, 1,001 Pearls of Runners’ Wisdom offers encouragement and inspiration to every runner, from the beginner to the ultra-marathoner.

— Samantha Johnson