I have wanted to read Born to Run by Christopher McDougall since I heard about it when it initially came out. A little over a year later, I’ve finally purchased the book and have finished it in no time. Filled with astonishing facts, noteworthy tips, interesting secrets, and intriguing characters, Born to Run was undoubtedly a quick and worthy read.
After suffering countless running injuries (and he certainly isn’t alone, with 8 out of every 10 runners becoming hurt every year), McDougall ventured deep into the Copper Canyons of Mexico to learn the secrets of some of the best runners around, the Tarahumara Indians. The superhuman tribe, immune to not just most modern day diseases, but also said to be free of crime, war, and theft, can run hundreds of miles at a time along steep canyon trails with nothing but some flimsy sandals strapped to their feet. With distance running of 50 or more miles constituting as one of their favorite leisurely activities, each of the Tarahumara Indians track quite a bit of mileage on their own two legs, all without nearly ever suffering from a single injury.
McDougall’s journey through some of North America’s “most savage terrain” would lead him to not only the answers he was seeking of how to avoid runner’s injury, but also to the explanation that we as humans were literally born to run.
At the dawn of his travels, McDougall encounters Caballo Blanco, a non-Tarahumara, “mysterious loner” living among the tribe. Blanco initially guides McDougall to the cliffs high in the mountains where the Tarahumara secretly reside, where he then tries to absorb and obtain as much information he can gather from the taciturn, seemingly elusive tribe.
Blanco and McDougall keep in contact even after McDougall’s return to the states, where Blanco eventually informs him of a 50-mile race he has brewing in his mind, intending to combine both the superhuman Tarahumara runners and some of America’s best ultramarathoners. With some effort and presumably a bit of luck, Blanco gathers a substantial unique and lively crew, including some of Tarahumara’s best runners, Scott Jurek, America’s top ultramarathon runner, a babbling barefoot runner named Ted, and a youthful couple from Virginia Beach, all willing to run the race of Blanco’s dreams. And don’t forget McDougall who uses his new knowledge of running to train for his very own first endurance race, injury free.
As the story unfolds from start to end, McDougall uses his witty and highly entertaining voice to cram in interesting facts, statistics, and scientific stories, as he takes you on your own picturesque journey through the land of the Tarahumara Indians and inside the eclectic personalities of all those who travel there to run. By the end of the book, you’re bound to want to lace up your sneakers (or buy a new, less cushioned pair first), and hit the ground running…proving to your body that you’re born to soar through the outdoors like never before.
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sophia
May 31, 2010 at 8:10 amWow, this sounds really interesting. What strong passion and dedication this guy has! I’ll have to look for this book. I’ve been lagging in the reading department!
Elisa
May 31, 2010 at 10:14 amI’ve been waiting for this book to come out in paperback. Did it make you want to run barefoot? I ran in a 20k trail race yesterday and there was an older guy who ran completely barefoot. He was definitely the star of the show!
janine
May 31, 2010 at 10:42 amthanks for this, I want to read it too. Makes it so tempting to take trainers off, doesn’t it?
Simply Life
May 31, 2010 at 3:07 pmI hadn’t heard of this book -great to know!
Andrea@WellnessNotes
May 31, 2010 at 4:11 pmSounds like a very interesting book. Now I really want to know what the secrets are… 🙂
Nicole
May 31, 2010 at 9:31 pmI’ve heard so much about this book! What a wonderful review – I can’t wait to add it to my wish list from the library 🙂
Tracey @ I'm Not Superhuman
June 1, 2010 at 7:51 amSounds interesting. What injuries was he suffering from when he set out on his great adventure?
Mari
June 1, 2010 at 1:13 pmI think I want to read this book! thanks for the review honey!!!!!
The Candid RD
June 1, 2010 at 5:07 pmSounds like a good read!! I was just at the library today, looking for good books. Too bad I didn’t read your post first 🙁 I wonder if it would really make me want to run, ha. I’m not much of a runner, but I LOVE to walk!
theexperfectionist
June 1, 2010 at 9:35 pmSounds like a great read. I would say, “I’ll have to pick it up.” But the truth is I am reading about 4 books right now. :/ I scatterbrained like that.
The Duties of a Certified Nursing Assistant
June 1, 2010 at 11:29 pmValuable info. Lucky me I found your site by accident, I bookmarked it.