Joe Henderson combined his passion for running with his natural talent for writing and became one of the most prolific running writers on the planet. Although Henderson never accomplished his first career goal of becoming a high school or college running coach, through his advice in hundreds of magazines and books and in frequent speeches to running groups, he has indirectly coached thousands of runners.
Henderson was born in Illinois in 1943 and grew up in Iowa, where he began running at age 14. After graduating from Drake University, he began his work in running journalism at Track & Field News. Today he continues as a columnist with Runner's World and as the publisher of the newsletter Running Commentary. He has authored and coauthored 22 books including the best-selling Marathon Training as well as four others from Human Kinetics--Best Runs, Better Runs, Coaching Cross Country Successfully, and Fitness Running.
Henderson has twice been named Journalist of the Year by the Road Runners Club of America. He is also a member of the Club's Hall of Fame. Henderson now lives in Eugene, Oregon, with his wife, Barbara Shaw.