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It has been called "the Bible for runners" -- perhaps because of its sheer bulk, or the scope of its reference, or the personal and mostly benevolent voice of the author. But most of the time, when a book is referred to as "the Bible" on a subject, this means it is an authoritative and comprehensive source of knowledge or guidance on a particular subject.

In that sense, The Lore of Running, by Tim Noakes, M.D., is indeed the Bible for runners. Noakes' book, with 710 pages of text and an 86-page bibliography, is biblical in proportion. Further, on every page Noakes offers readers a vast store of knowledge touching on practically every aspect of running.

In Part I of the book, Noakes goes into fascinating technical detail about the physiology of running, discussing everything from how muscles contract to -- more controversially -- how VO2max is not the best measure of a runner's potential.

In Part II, Noakes begins with a survey of some major research contributions to the art and science of training runners. He then lays out training principles and suggestions in fantastic detail. He devotes one chapter of this section to overtraining, an important but often overlooked topic.

In Part III, Noakes discusses health considerations related to running and training, including running injuries, nutrition, weight loss and weight control, the special requirements of women runners, and running for children.

Noakes opinions are built upon scientific research -- his own contribution to research literature on running is vast -- and stated with elegance and wisdom. Further, there is an almost sacred tone to the writing -- not the hushed whispers of a visitor to a great cathedral, but the strong and gentle admonitions of the presiding bishop, tasked with making plain the mysteries of man and woman fearfully and wonderfully made.

This book is not an easy read, but it is a good read.