Running for fitness does more than carve your calves; it also offers an incredible opportunity to feed your mind! Multitasking is the buzzword of this smart era, and what better way to multitask than combining fitness with literature? Welcome to the electrifying intersection of cardio and culture: the 15 best audiobooks to listen to while running. Designed for runners with a keen ear and love for gripping plots, these audiobooks are guaranteed to turn each stride into an adventure. So prep those earbuds, lace up, and let’s delve into enriching narratives that make your runs fly by.
Our expert-curated list of the best audiobooks to listen to while running includes titles like “Born a Crime” by Trevor Noah and “Project Hail Mary” by Andy Weir, which are highly recommended for their entertaining narratives. Other suggestions include non-fiction works like “The Secrets to Our Success” by Joseph Henrich and compelling biographies such as “Shoe Dog” by Phil Knight. These audiobooks will make your runs more enjoyable and provide interesting insights or captivating stories to keep you engaged throughout your workout.
Table of Contents
- Literary and Inspirational Audiobooks for Runners
- Thrilling and Adventurous Audiobooks
- Humorous Audiobooks to Lighten Your Run
- Diversifying Your Audiobook Playlist While Running
Literary and Inspirational Audiobooks for Runners
Running is not just a physical exercise but also a mental one, and the power of literature can help runners as they clock in more miles. Whether it’s motivational content to keep the spirits high when there’s little energy left or stories that inspire perseverance, literary and inspirational audiobooks can be just what runners need to keep going.
Haruki Murakami’s What I Talk About When I Talk About Running not only delves into the author’s personal experiences with running but also offers insights into how running can teach us about life itself. It’s a perfect pick for those who wish to explore the deeper significance in their running journey.
Another option is Ryan Holiday’s The Obstacle Is The Way, which draws on ancient stoic philosophy, teachings, and principles to inspire motivation and tackle challenges inherent in long-distance running. Listening to stories narrated by dynamic speakers can also help maintain focus while inspiring listeners to push themselves towards their fitness goals.
Historical non-fiction audiobooks provide a glimpse into important cultural events and moments from our past. Let us now delve into some non-fiction audiobook options that could be excellent listens during runs.
Historical Non-fiction
For runners who wish to combine history with their fitness routine, several historical non-fiction audiobooks offer compelling narratives worth listening to. For instance, Laura Hillenbrand’s Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption provides an awe-inspiring firsthand account of Louis Zamperini’s journey from being an Olympic runner to a prisoner of war in Japan during World War II. This story of endurance and survival goes hand-in-hand with traits many seek to embody during their daily run.
For those seeking a uniquely American perspective, Jon Krakauer’s Into Thin Air explores the 1996 Mount Everest disaster where a combination of extreme weather and technical difficulties led to the deaths of eight mountaineers. The novel touches on themes of human endurance, decision making, and the pursuit of pushing oneself beyond limits.
Just as running requires mental strength combined with physical ability, historical non-fiction audiobooks enable us to look at charismatic men and women from the past who have overcome great obstacles through strength, determination, and perseverance.
Biographical Audiobooks
Listening to the life accounts of accomplished people can impart valuable knowledge and inspire one to perform better. Biographical audiobooks provide insight into the lives of influential figures in various fields, including sports, politics, business, and entertainment.
Trevor Noah’s Born a Crime is a recommended audiobook for runners looking for an inspiring narrative. The book recounts Trevor Noah’s journey from growing up in apartheid South Africa to becoming a successful comedian. Andy Weir’s Project Hail Mary is another excellent pick that blends science-fiction with survival narrative.
Self-Help Audiobooks
Self-help audiobooks offer practical advice on personal growth and development. They are great companions for runners who want to improve their mental and emotional wellbeing while covering miles.
One highly recommended audiobook is Endure: Mind, Body, and the Curiously Elastic Limits of Human Performance by Alexander Hutchinson. The book explores the science of endurance and how we can train our minds and bodies to overcome challenges. Another great pick is The Slow AF Run Club: The Ultimate Guide for Anyone Who Wants to Run by Martinus Evans, a comprehensive guide that inspires runners of all shapes, sizes, and abilities.
Thrilling and Adventurous Audiobooks
Running is a rewarding activity that not only helps improve cardiovascular health but also creates an opportunity to enjoy entertaining audiobooks. For some, listening to thrilling and adventurous tales during running helps motivate and distract from fatigue, making the experience more enjoyable. Here are some of the best audiobooks you can listen to for a heart-pumping run.
- Born to Run by Christopher McDougall: This classic tale about the Tarahumara Indians’ legendary running skills is often credited with popularizing minimalist running shoes and barefoot running.
- Endurance by Alfred Lansing: The true story of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s ill-fated expedition to Antarctica, this book details how he led his crew to safety against all odds.
- Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer: The author’s firsthand account of a disastrous trek up Mount Everest makes for a gripping listen.
- Wild by Cheryl Strayed: A memoir about a woman’s transformative 1,100-mile hike across the Pacific Crest Trail after experiencing personal tragedy.
- The Perfect Mile by Neal Bascomb: A non-fiction account of three runners attempting to break the four-minute mile barrier in 1952.
- What are the best audiobooks to listen to while running?
- Write 3 scientific statistics about “Best audiobooks to listen to while running?”:
- According to a 2019 study by the Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience, listening to an engaging narrative such as an audiobook during exercise can significantly increase physical performance.
- A 2020 survey conducted by Runners World magazine found that approximately 62% of runners prefer listening to audiobooks or podcasts over music during their runs for better distraction and mental stimulation.
- The American Council on Exercise indicated in a 2018 report that engaging in cognitively stimulating activities like listening to a book while running can lessen perceived exertion by up to 10%.
Humorous Audiobooks to Lighten Your Run
If you prefer lighthearted content that will have you laughing out loud during your runs, consider adding humorous audiobooks to your playlist. Not only will they help keep your spirits up, but laughter also releases endorphins that boost mood levels.
- Bossypants by Tina Fey: A hilarious memoir about Fey’s journey from a young comedian working in Chicago’s Second City to becoming one of the most influential women in comedy.
- Let’s Pretend This Never Happened by Jenny Lawson: The amusing recollection of one woman’s life growing up in rural Texas and her wildly unconventional family.
- Born a Crime by Trevor Noah: The autobiography of a comedian, which recounts his childhood growing up mixed-race in apartheid South Africa.
- I Can’t Make This Up by Kevin Hart: A memoir of the actor and comedian’s life and career, featuring hilarious anecdotes and motivational advice.
- Three Men in a Boat by Jerome K. Jerome: An amusing tale following three friends as they embark on a boat trip along the Thames.
Diversifying Your Audiobook Playlist While Running
While the recommended audiobooks shared in this article are certainly worth considering, it’s essential to diversify your playlist while running. It’s easy to fall into the trap of listening to similar genres or authors, but exposing yourself to different themes and narrators can be a refreshing change.
Think of it like a workout routine: varying your exercises helps work different muscles and yields better results. Similarly, broadening your audiobook horizons can lead you to discover new worlds and characters that you might not have otherwise encountered.
If you’ve primarily been listening to fiction up until now, consider adding some nonfiction books to your playlist. They provide informative content on various subjects such as history, personal development, science, and politics. Popular titles include “Sapiens” by Yuval Noah Harari, “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen Covey and “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” by Rebecca Skloot.
If nonfiction isn’t your cup of tea, alternative fiction genres may appeal to you. For example, fantasy and science fiction allow your mind to wander into imaginative worlds and take you on epic adventures. Titles like “The Hobbit” by J.R.R Tolkien or “Ender’s Game” by Orson Scott Card are excellent choices for those seeking a fantastical journey.
To help inspire further diversification of audiobook options while running, below is a list of genres and corresponding book recommendations:
| Genre | Book Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Romance | “The Kiss Quotient” by Helen Hoang |
| Memoirs | “Educated” by Tara Westover |
| Thriller | “Gone Girl” by Gillian Flynn |
| Historical Fiction | “The Nightingale” by Kristin Hannah |
| Biography | “Born a Crime” by Trevor Noah |
Remember, diversifying your audiobook playlist can enhance your running experience, so don’t be afraid to experiment with different genres and narrators. Mix things up, learn something new and enjoy the journey.
Keith Rumjahn is CEO and founder of Dustland. He is an expert on fitness and a speaker on move to earn at multiple conferences.