Born To Run

Most of todays post is a book review. I just finished reading “Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen” by Christopher McDougall. Put simply, it was one of the best books I’ve read for a while, and probably the best book concerning running that I’ve ever read. It is such a great story, that it almost seems to good a yarn to be true, but it is not a work of fiction.

The story starts off with the authors quest for pain-free running, after a foot injury – and ends up with him successfully finishing an ultra-marathon in some of the world’s least hospitable terrain. 

Central to the story too are the Tarahumara, an indigenous tribe, native to the Copper Canyons of Mexico. For these people, running, and running great distances is central to their lives, and central to their being. Add to this an eclectic caste of ultra-runners, trying to match it with the Tarahumara in their own territory and a great story is born.

As well as the wonderful story though, there is also very engaging theory along the way too. Including the very powerful thesis that man was not only born to run, but that running, and running long distances was central to man’s superior anthropological development over other species. McDougall also questions the current “running industry” – for example, do our current super-cushioned, supportive running shoes actually increase our risk of injury?

Perhaps the books most powerful message though, for me anyway, was that running, and running long distances is possible for anyone, and if approached properly can be a joyful, life-affirming activity. He’s given me some hope of being able to complete an ultra, and provided me with the inspiration to try! Something I didn’t think I would say.

McDougal is an excellent writer and in “Born To Run” has a wonderful book that will entertain, inspire and fulfill those who read it. I highly recommend it.

What a wonderful sight to see Lance Armstrong back on the podium in the Tour de France – a sight I thought I wouldn’t see again. As Mark said in his comment yesterday, 2010, with Lance leading his new RadioShack team promises great things too – I’m already looking forward to it.

Deb and I ran our normal 8km loop this morning before work, neither of us really felt too great, so it was a slow run, 5:48 min/km average pace. For me, the knee was a little bit sore for the first 4 km’s, but after that seemed to come good, the last 2 km’s or so though were tough as my tummy started to rebel a little.