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2.52k reviews for:
Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen
Christopher McDougall
4.26 AVERAGE
2.52k reviews for:
Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen
Christopher McDougall
4.26 AVERAGE
adventurous
funny
inspiring
adventurous
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
adventurous
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
adventurous
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
adventurous
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
What you probably think you know about running it completely wrong. I suggest watching this beforehand if you're interested: http://www.ted.com/talks/christopher_mcdougall_are_we_born_to_run.html
adventurous
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
I read this for a book club at work. It's an interesting story about the superrunners of the Tarahumara Indians in contrast with the American obsessive money-making Nike-wearing runners but the story doesn't go much farther than that. Plus was not a fan of the author's writing style. He did a decent job stringing you on so you'd get to the main promise of the book: what happened at the race.
Born to Run is a mysteriously engaging tale of body and mind. Unveiled in a similar spirit as that of outdoor writer John Krakauer (Into the Wild, Into Thin Air), McDougall presents a mystery, a murder mystery even. But for all the questions posed, this gripping yarn is both inspiring and informative leaving the reader with a desire to run farther, faster, easier, lighter, and just more betterer.
Among the questions McDougall poses, either directly or indirectly, the initial question begins "Why do my feet hurt [when I run only 3 miles:]?" This question launches the author on an investigation which literally spans geographies, anthropologies, eons and even the realms of research and higher education.
In his investigations McDougall learns of the physical and cultural strengths of the Tarahumara Indians found in the Copper Canyons of Mexico. Why, McDougall asks, does a shy, modern-culture-shunning tribe of Mexican Indians run faster than ultra-marathoners and Olympic marathoners who train with greater abundance, more science, and richer technology? Why can the Tarahumara run faster while maintaining poor diets, consuming plenty of beer, and sporting simple sandals rather than high-tech running shoes? What are the Tarahumara secrets? And can Tarahumara actually hunt and kill deer solely by running them to death ; death by exhaustion? Answers to these questions and others are revealed while also noting the Tarahumara unique cultural positives: they avoid annoying self-promotion ; they thrive in an inhospitable desert ; they have no need for money ; And there is no rape, violence, or hunger. Too good to be true? You decide, but the author reveals a compelling tale.
McDougal's investigation of the Tarahumara is perhaps most interesting while highlighting contrasts with modern culture by considering aspects of running techniques and injury rates. For example, Tarhumara don't have incidents of Plantar Facitis or debilitating jogging-induced knee injuries despite the fact that they run almost barefoot with simple sandles.
This book is a fascinating read, perhaps because of the novelists approach to questions and cultural contrasts. But hard scientists should look elsewhere for a thorough scientific investigation into the evidence. And yet, the writing style is wholly engaging as it reveals many secrets, not the least of which is to suggest and explain why humans are born to run.
Among the questions McDougall poses, either directly or indirectly, the initial question begins "Why do my feet hurt [when I run only 3 miles:]?" This question launches the author on an investigation which literally spans geographies, anthropologies, eons and even the realms of research and higher education.
In his investigations McDougall learns of the physical and cultural strengths of the Tarahumara Indians found in the Copper Canyons of Mexico. Why, McDougall asks, does a shy, modern-culture-shunning tribe of Mexican Indians run faster than ultra-marathoners and Olympic marathoners who train with greater abundance, more science, and richer technology? Why can the Tarahumara run faster while maintaining poor diets, consuming plenty of beer, and sporting simple sandals rather than high-tech running shoes? What are the Tarahumara secrets? And can Tarahumara actually hunt and kill deer solely by running them to death ; death by exhaustion? Answers to these questions and others are revealed while also noting the Tarahumara unique cultural positives: they avoid annoying self-promotion ; they thrive in an inhospitable desert ; they have no need for money ; And there is no rape, violence, or hunger. Too good to be true? You decide, but the author reveals a compelling tale.
McDougal's investigation of the Tarahumara is perhaps most interesting while highlighting contrasts with modern culture by considering aspects of running techniques and injury rates. For example, Tarhumara don't have incidents of Plantar Facitis or debilitating jogging-induced knee injuries despite the fact that they run almost barefoot with simple sandles.
This book is a fascinating read, perhaps because of the novelists approach to questions and cultural contrasts. But hard scientists should look elsewhere for a thorough scientific investigation into the evidence. And yet, the writing style is wholly engaging as it reveals many secrets, not the least of which is to suggest and explain why humans are born to run.
A book not only for elite runners, but anyone who runs or has thought about running. Very informative and inspiring. Would be great as a gift to any runner.
Wow. This book rivals Rembrandt is in the Wind for the best book I've read this year. I'm so surprised by how much I enjoyed it. Wildly entertaining and very informative. If you're a runner at all, or even interested in being one, please read this book. It is so good.
Warning: you will form some strangely strong opinions about running shoes and form. Your family and friends may believe you joined a running cult.
Tbf there are much worse cults to join
Warning: you will form some strangely strong opinions about running shoes and form. Your family and friends may believe you joined a running cult.
Tbf there are much worse cults to join