Exploring the world of ultra-running, this personal narrative delves into the determination and scientific principles that underpin the sport. It highlights the often-overlooked history of ultra-running while revealing insights into why female ultra-runners consistently surpass their male counterparts. The book combines personal experiences with broader themes of resilience and achievement, offering a unique perspective on a challenging athletic pursuit.
Jen Benson Book order






- 2024
- 2024
Smart Running by Jen and Sim Benson is a comprehensive guide to running. Covering physiology, psychology, training theory and nutrition before clearly explaining how to build yourself a bespoke and customisable training plan - this book will help you to become a fitter, faster and stronger runner.
- 2024
Slow down. Simplify. Sleep with your ear to the earth. This is the ultimate guide to the art and joy of living outdoors, under canvas. Whether it's a fast-and-light backpacking adventure, a sea kayak safari, a family camping trip, or simply living and cooking outside in your garden, camping can do it all. Offering an escape from the stresses of everyday life, the art of camping lies in living simply, well. It's about paring back our busy, hyperconnected modern lives and embracing the many joys of living more slowly and connecting more meaningfully. The Camping Bible is the complete reference for newcomers and lifelong campers alike. Discover new adventures and clever hacks for Proper Camping, sleeping close to the earth in a shelter of stretched fabric held taught by pegs and guy lines, surrounded by the sounds of nature. It includes: - a complete introduction for beginners: tent selection; pitching tips; setting up portable kitchens - family-friendly advice: making the tent a home; entertaining kids in bad weather - glamping with bell tents and tipis: how to create a luxurious experience - ideas and advice for seasoned campers: 'The Art of the Tarp', camp cookery; sustainability Written by passionate and highly experienced outdoor experts, The Camping Bible is packed with wisdom, step-by-step instructions, tried-and-tested advice, top tips, recommended gear, adventure ideas, and beautiful photography and illustrations.
- 2023
Day Walks in Somerset
- 160 pages
- 6 hours of reading
Day Walks in Somerset by Jen and Sim Benson features 20 routes spread across the county of Somerset suitable for hillwalkers of all abilities. Together with stunning photography, each route features Ordnance Survey 1:25,000 maps, easy-to-follow directions, distance and navigation information, refreshment stops and local information.
- 2022
Author and long-distance runner Jen Benson decided to live in a tent for a year with her husband Sim and their children to escape the stress, pressures and mounting debt of their old lives, and this is her account of that year spent in the wilderness of Britain
- 2021
100 Great Walks with Kids
- 256 pages
- 9 hours of reading
This book features 100 wonderful walks right across Britain suitable for families with children from 0 upwards, including carrier- and buggy-friendly routes and themes such as mini mountains, walks with paddles, beaches, woodland, wildlife, circumnavigations of lakes, and walks from child-friendly cafes. Starting with a useful and informative introduction with advice on making walks with kids successful and enjoyable (best clothing and equipment, food and drink, the countryside code, and a light-hearted troubleshooting guide for commonly-encountered problems), the book divides the walks themselves by geographical area: - England: south-west, south-east, central north-west, north-east - Wales: south, central, north - Scotland: borders and south,central, north and islands Symbols will indicate easy parking, toilets, child-friendly cafes, baby changing, dog-friendliness and buggy suitability. QR codes by each walk will link to free online OS maps for those routes, so readers can read the walk description and get the map up on their phone, then choose to bring the book with them or not. Each route is graded according to its relative difficulty but all will be short to moderate in length, and very achievable for anyone with a good level of fitness. As well as being themed, each walk will include other points of interest along the way to keep the children engaged and encourage the idea that spending time outdoors is enjoyable and fun. Illustrated throughout with the authors' photography showcasing the beauty of Britain, this will be an attractive and inspiring guidebook for all families wanting to make the most of the great outdoors
- 2020
Short Runs in Beautiful Places
- 240 pages
- 9 hours of reading
100 short runs - ranging from 1 to 10 miles - ideal for beginners and experienced runners alike and travelling through beautiful countryside of all kinds, from ancient woodland and meadows studded with wildflowers to rugged headlands with uninterrupted views of the sea.
- 2019
Day Walks in Cornwall by Jen and Sim Benson features 20 circular routes suitable for hillwalkers of all abilities. Together with stunning photography, each route features Ordnance Survey 1:25,000 maps, easy-to-follow directions, distance and navigation information, refreshment stops and local information.
- 2018
The Adventurer's Guide to Britain
- 192 pages
- 7 hours of reading
This exciting, inspiring, and informative guide is perfect for anyone who loves a challenge and an adventure. There are soaring ridgelines to run, exciting river descents to swim, secret coves to explore by boat, and achievable interesting scrambles, all in stunning locations. Each of the 150 featured adventures, which are arranged by geographical region, has been carefully chosen for being exhilarating, achievable by any reasonably active person, and as safe as possible. You'll be taken on a tour of the country and will discover where to do things you never thought possible in the UK--exploring the caves and inlets around Lizard Point by kayak, sleeping under the stars surrounded by the towering mountains of the Cuillin Ridge, or swimming in the fairy pools at Glen Brittle on Skye. The Adventurer's Guide to Britain puts together some of the very best experiences from the different worlds of adventure sport, to create the ultimate outdoor bible for those who love getting outside, challenging themselves, and exploring beautiful Britain
- 2017
Whether orienteering, building dens or making a house for a hedgehog, this guide is the ideal way for all the family to interact with wildlife and nature and find adventures in wild places.