For christmas a friend got me a book, now I haven’t really read a book for a while, so was in two minds about the book, especially as it was called ‘Born To Run’. I had put my running days behind me (hadn’t I?), and really wasn’t that convinced about the book at all.
Having time on my hands I decided to give it a trial run, and no sooner had I picked the book up I was hooked. It had mystery, suspense and science all rolled into one. The title of the book refers to all of us, we were born to run, whether we like it or not. Not fast but as endurance athletes we are the best in the animal kingdom.
As the book tells its story I was sucked into the world of ultra endruance running, the type of races where a marathon is a merely a warm up. Each of the characters we meet are at first enigmas, and soon you have brief sideways glances at them as both runners and modern day philosphers.
Slowly the author Christper McDougall, starts to peace together research and antedote into a gripping tail in search of answer to questions not just about running but the evolution of man. The tale comes to an end in an epic race between some of the best ultra trail runners the US has to offer against a little known tribal people for whom running is a way of life.
Whilst you might expect pride and competition to take over in this 100 mile race through the rugged Seirra Madres, what we find is compassion and respect between Mexicans, Tarahumara and Americans. Whilst I can’t say who wins, you are left with the impression that everyone in that race was a winner, even the author who comes in last in a time that would have allowed the front runners to lap him.
If you like science, running or the true spirit of adventure then this book will please you. If you are a runner dogged by injury, then maybe in this text you can find some answers. I know I hate amazon for there pricing policy, but heres a link to the book.