This Is About Running. This Is Not About Running.

‘This book is a gem … [Coach Bennett] is a moustachioed motivator, and real life Ted Lasso' CHRIS EVANS

‘Coach Bennett taught me a lot … his stories give such a beautiful insight into how we can all find more from the miles than just the numbers’ WILLIAM GOODGE

From Nike Running’s Global Head Coach Chris Bennett comes a bold, welcoming book for runners, non-runners, and everyone in between. Rooted in the coaching philosophy that has helped millions take their first steps forward, it’s about finding the courage to cross the starting lines in your life.

This Is About Running. This Is Not About Running. is a deeply motivating, funny, and unexpectedly moving book about what happens when we dare to step up to the starting lines in our lives. Drawing on the philosophy that has inspired millions around the world, Coach Bennett reframes running not as a test of speed, distance, or competition—but as a practice in showing up, moving forward, and discovering what’s possible when you take a chance on yourself.

With his signature mix of positivity, pop-culture wisdom, and back-to-basics insight, Bennett strips away the pressure that keeps so many people stuck. Instead, he offers a refreshing invitation: you don’t have to be fast, fit, or fearless to be a runner. You just have to start. And once you do, running has a way of teaching you about far more than running: about resilience, confidence, self-trust, and the quiet power of momentum.

Whether you’re lacing up for the first time, returning after years away, or simply looking for a new way to think about progress, this book is a reminder that forward is forward, and that something extraordinary can happen when you take that first step.

Because the best running isn’t really about running at all.

It’s about life.

Reviews

‘This book is a gem, if you want to start running it’s a gem, if you know someone who loves running it’s a gem … [Coach Bennett] is a moustachioed motivator, and real life Ted Lasso’

Chris Evans

‘Coach Bennett taught me a lot … I battle, like most of us do, with a love/hate relationship with running, but his stories give such a beautiful insight into how we can all find more from the miles than just the numbers’

William Goodge, ultra-endurance athlete

About the author

Chris Bennett is the Global Head Coach of Nike Running. Known globally as Coach Bennett, his guided runs, podcasts, newsletter and coaching at events all around the world have been used and celebrated by tens of millions of athletes. He is known for his approachable, inclusive coaching philosophy: he emphasizes that ‘everyone is a runner’, focuses as much on the mindset and experience of the run and runner as performance metrics, and encourages runners of all levels to find their own starting lines.

Prior to working with Nike, Bennett was a high school history teacher who helped coach one of the most successful running programmes in the United States. Bennett attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where he captained the cross country and track teams. He then spent five years competing for the Olympic Developmental Nike Farm Team at Stanford University. He lives in Oregon with his family.