Book: Born to Run
May 27, 2009I was determined not to let the previous running book I read – What I Talk About When I Talk About Running – put me off from reading another. So I picked up Born to Run by Christopher McDougal, and wasn’t disappointed.
The book starts with the author attempting to discover why he sustains a repeated injury in his foot after running just a few miles, while other people can run for hours on end, and so he sets off to discover the secrets of the [very] long distance runners.
Anyone else fancy a 100 mile jog? No? Just me then.
Knowing very little about ultra-running, I was intrigued to find out just how these people manage to run in excess of 100 miles in one go (half way through reading this book I ordered Ultramarathon Man by Dean Karnazes for that very reason). What’s even more fascinating is the story of the Tarahumara, a tribe that live in the Copper Canyons of Mexico, and whos name literally means the ‘Running People’. The book then introduces a number of key people, who will all meet as the story culminates in a 50 mile race between ultrarunners and Tarahumara through the Canyons. The author occassionally digresses to discuss fundamental points such as barefoot running and the invention of the running shoe, the evolution of humans as runners and why not everyone runs on a daily basis.
Interesting and inspiring (it made me want to go out and run for a whole day), though it could have used some of the photographs that the author discusses along the way. Recommended to anyone that interested in running, extreme or endurance sports, or if you just want to see what the human body is capable of.
Ooh, I picked that up in Borders last week and decided to wait till payday. I think I’ll go back and get it – it sounds really good. My interest in marathon running comes from my previous love of endurance riding, where the ultimate test is to ride 100 miles in a day. That’s another thing on my things to do before I die list!
Blimey, your list isn’t particularly forgiving is it? :-) I’t a good read though, hope you enjoy it.
That does look awesome. I’ll have to check it out next time I need some motivation.
Thanks for writing, I truly enjoyed reading your newest post. I think you should post more frequently, you clearly have talent for blogging!
[...] Reading Born to Run a little while ago also raised the notion of barefoot running and it’s possible advantages. The book did seem to make out that running shoes were completely unnecessary and that everyone would be better off without them (though you have to wonder why, if this fact is as well known as Christopher McDougall makes out, you rarely see a barefoot runner). [...]
[...] Ultramarathon Man August 19, 2009 I bought this book shortly after I had finished reading Born to Run, but hadn’t got round to reading it until recently…and then finished it in a matter of [...]