​With the Olympics kicking off tonight, I always look forward to watching track & field.

The sport was my first love when my parents let me join a track club when I was 8. At that time, the youngest division for races was 9-10 years old, so I'd go to these track meets and get smoked. I'd get smoked at practice too because all the other kids were much older than me. In hindsight, I was blessed to be training with some incredible athletes, but they were just the "big kids" then. (For context, one became a Division One decathlete and eventual doctor, another played in the NFL and is now the offensive coordinator for the Green Bay Packers, and another would actually win a track gold medal at the 2004 Olympics in Athens). 

​Track and field is one of those sports that showcases the incredible capabilities of the human body. From sprinting and long jumps to shot put and javelin throws, it's amazing to watch what some of these men and women can do. If you are an athlete, learning from a guy like Michael Johnson can offer a tremendous amount of value in how you train and prepare. If you're a fan, getting a glimpse into what was going through Johnson's mind in the seconds before the 400 meter final at the 1996 Summer Olympics is why we read. Today, we take a look at at my favorite track and field books.