And IIRC Fixx had a family history of heart problems and before he began running was overweight and a two pack a day smoker.
How Jim Fixx died isn’t as important as what he left behind. His book “Jim Fixx’s Complete Book of Running” is a classic. It was written over 30 years ago, but very little of it is outdated.
Another great running author is Dr. George Sheehan who wrote about the philosophy of running. His book “Going the Distance: One Man’s Journey to the End of His Life” is a journal he kept when he was diagnosed with prostrate cancer. He died at 74, after running for 35 years.
If you are a beginning runner, any book by John Bingham will help you. His books “The Courage to Start”, “No Need for Speed” and “Running for Mortals” are all inspiring.