The running power bookshelf

Behind the numbers: The running power bookshelf

When starting something new, you’ll have questions. Everyone does.

How do I …? Am I doing it right? Where can I find out …? Who can I ask about …?

These posts signpost resources you may (or may not) know about.

Resources that can help answer your questions.

Resources that take you ‘Behind the numbers’

Books

Looking for books to fill your ‘running power bookshelf’?

Here’s a selection, split into three groups:

1. Books about running with power (that use more recent approaches)
2. Books about using power in other sports (that may be useful for understanding concepts and metrics)
3. Older books about running power (that are now ‘dated’ but still useful)

NOTE: The links below go to Amazon.com, as I was able to find all of the books there. I’m not affiliated with Amazon, so feel free to use other sources for your books.

Books about running with power

The Secret of Running (2017) is considered the definitive scientific textbook for serious runners and coaches. It breaks down the pure physics of running, detailing exactly how wattage balances against wind resistance, elevation, and body mass.

The Power to Run (2021) is a streamlined, highly practical version of The Secret of Running, focusing on simplifying the data to provide peace of mind and structured execution guidelines for everyday athletes.

The Running with Power series covers The Basics (2024, also available in Spanish), Why Would You? (2024) and Getting Started (2025) – the what, why and how of Running with Power

Books about using power in other sports

Training and Racing with a Power Meter (3rd Ed. 2019) is the undisputed “bible” of power training. While written for cycling, Coggan pioneered the mathematics of power (NP, IF, TSS) that are now applied to running.

Triathlon Training with Power (2021) is the first book written to help athletes integrate power training into all three sports of triathlon, including a section on run power and run power meters.

Older books about running power

The Power Meter Handbook (2012) is a simplified, beginner-friendly guide to power profiling. Friel’s methodology for tracking metabolic shifts using wattage data laid the groundwork for modern running device setups.

Run with Power (2016) is the first book dedicated purely to running power meters. It successfully translated early cycling concepts into running metrics, introducing everyday athletes to Efficiency Factor (EF) and running-specific power zones.

What are your favourite books about running power?

Use ‘Was this useful’ (below) to let me know.