This book is one some folks might dismiss because it was written 25 years ago, but I feel after getting to the end that there is a lot of information women could use. If anything, the science that might be a bit out of date is a good springboard into getting better advice.

This book is a great reference for any woman who is trying to get more fit and get into running or walking, whether for personal enjoyment, health, or goals like marathon training. It contains a great deal on basic running advice, of course, but there are whole chapters dedicated to women in different phases of their lives and how those phases can affect their running (or vice versa). Whether a teen running through puberty, menstruating, pregnant, going through menopause, over 50, etc., there’s a chapter dedicated to the challenges you may face as a runner.

This was the book I didn’t know I needed until I realized I had some issues beyond obesity that was hurting my ability to run, like the menstrual ones and dealing with anemia while upping the exercise. I have some great ideas about what to pay attention to in the next few months in regards to how I feel and how my body reacts as I do the hard work of marathon training. I should’ve found this book years ago… I’d probably be better off.

But better late than never. It’s also chock-full of basic running advice, some ideas for training schedules, stretches and strength exercises to help the running muscles, and especially what to do in case of different injuries (again, feel free to double check the science in case some of it is out of date).

The Complete Book of Running for Women has so much in it as a handy reference, and I’d recommend any woman trying to improve their exercise results (or get into exercise, or get over injury) to take a look at it. It’s easy to find in regular bookstores and used ones online, which is awesome. Hanging onto this one for sure.