Where the Road Ends: A Guide to Trail Running

This is a superb trail running book. It's a superb general running book, too, but I'll stick to the point.

I have to contrast it to Lisa Jhung's Trailhead, which is another great trailrunning book. I'm glad I read Jhung first, because her book is a lighthearted, funny, whimsically illustrated introduction to trailrunning. It doesn't hit everything, but it doesn't aspire to. Jhung will get you well past the "why would anyone DO this? do I want to do this" plateau.

Where the Road Ends picks you up from there, and it does a good job of carrying you to the next level (or two). The book inspires with tight writing, great color photography, and an encyclopedic approach that helpfully refers you backwards AND forwards ("for more information on show more ... ").

This book contrasts with Jhung's too in that there is a more Western, wide-open-spaces and wild, WILD places flavor to Hicks and Powell's book.

If you have any interesting in dipping your toe into this burgeoning sport, I can give this book my highest recommendation. Thanks again, Human Kinetics! show less

The first time I laid eyes on the cover of Where the Road Ends I instantly thought "cheesy" and when I glanced through the pages I was reminded a little of a middle/grade school textbook, all glossy and full of pictures. But, that is where the fluff ends. As far as content goes, Where the Road Ends is chock full of great information. Most of it might be second nature to the more experience ultra runner but for beginners this book is a perfect must-have. The layout of information chapter by chapter is intuitive, starting with just learning and ending with full-out racing. In between is a plethora of everything you need to know: how trail running differs from the road, how to navigate the terrain, what equipment to use, how to stay fueled show more and hydrated (especially on the long desert runs), and so on and so on. Don't judge a book by it's cover (or lack thereof). This is a well organized informative book. show less

I was impressed with this book, I had expected it to be a thinner basic guide to trail running, but the information in here is not only valuable, but it's printed on nice quality paper and has loads of color illustrations.

It has several sections, ranging from very basic introdutory material for beginners, up through training regimens to use, safety tips, equipment, technique, planning your runs, racing, and other tips. I especially enjoyed the sections on training excercises, since while I have some experience walking trails, I really had no clue exactly how to transition safely to running, especially for those like me who are in it mostly for the recreational aspects of it, but this book has very good plans to follow that I'm excited show more to try, and some of them I think will be useful in making me a stronger walker, too. I also liked the little insets outlining some interesting places to go trail running.

All in all this is a nice, pretty complete guide to trail running, and while it's a decent size for the living room coffee table, it's a bit heavy (due to the color pages) and large to take with you. But you really shouldn't need to do that; by the time you finish reading and utilizing this book, you should be good to go as a trail runner.

One other note: I didn't find any obvious spelling or grammatical errors. I'm always more impressed with a book if the writers and editors take the time to "make it right." And with this one, they did. show less

For a runner - this is a book to inspire and inform you, whether a beginner of seasoned expert. Where the Road Ends, by Megan Hicks and Bryon Powell presents the reader with a common-sense handbook for trail running. Having engaged in the intense sister-sport of Fell-Running as a youth, I would have loved to have this book to guide my preparation and training. The techniques section is what I found the most informative - particularly how to use and adapt the technique to match terrain. Hicks and Powell also cover every essential for safe, efficient trail running, safety, tools, adapting to changing environments, fueling and hydration, among others. I was also pleased to see a section about trail stewardship. This often neglected concern show more is critical to sustain trails and the environment for future runs. You will enjoy the ample resource section they provide at the end of the book to further expand your horizons. Finally, as a bonus you will find one page vignettes entitled "Places and Races to Inspire". throughout the book, giving the reader an opportunity see the "ultimate races" with more granularity. show less

A gorgeous, full-color, glossy-paged book about trail running. It covers all of the fundamentals and is probably perfect for somebody who is interested in trying out trail running but hasn't done so before. Includes information such as how to get started, special gear considerations, drills and training for the types of footfalls you might need to make on rocky or hilly terrain, etc.

This is a well written book with nice pictures and understandable text. The topics covered are appropriate and not wordy. Some of the information was fairly obvious but is worthy of mention. Some information was more specialized and helpful. I enjoyed the book and freely recommend this book to anyone considering trail running.

Trail running really is a unique sport, quite separate from the road running the majority of athletes participate in. Hicks and Powell are accomplished trail runners having competed in renown events such as Leadville, Western States, Hardrock and Marathon des Sables. They contribute articles to Trail Runner magazine and serve as Editor-in-Chief and Senior Editor to the trail running website irunfar.com.
This book covers a wide range of terrain, much like a trail run. Chapters include; Equipment, hydration, training for trails, creating your own training plan, places to run, conquering the conditions, dealing with weather, proper technique and trail racing. Forty pages emphasize the importance of adjusting to trail running and how to run show more through a variety of terrain. Color photographs are interspersed throughout the book. There are many tips trail runners, especially novices, will find useful, such as using Google Earth and Maps to learn more about trails to run on.
“Where the Road Ends” would make a nice gift for a trail runner or for your own knowledge if you are considering expanding your running repertoire. show less