'Make friends with pain, and you will never be alone.' At the heart of Born to Run lies a mysterious tribe of Mexican Indians, the Tarahumara, who live quietly in canyons and are reputed to be the best distance runners in the world; in 1993, one of them, aged 57, came first in a prestigious 100-mile race wearing a toga and sandals. A small group of the world's top ultra-runners (and the awe-inspiring author) make the treacherous journey into the canyons to try to learn the tribe's secrets and then take them on over a course 50 miles long. With incredible energy and smart observation, McDougall tells this story while asking what the secrets are to being an incredible runner. Travelling to labs at Harvard, Nike, and elsewhere, he comes across an incredible cast of characters, including the woman who recently broke the world record for 100 miles and for her encore ran a 2:50 marathon in a bikini, pausing to down a beer at the 20 mile mark.
Born to Run
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"A terrific ride, recommended for any athlete." -- Kirkus Reviews
"Hugely entertaining...one of the most joyful and engaging books about running to appear for many years." -- The Irish Times
"A brilliantly written account of extraordinary endurance - it's destined to become a classic." -- Sir Ranulph Fiennes
"Quite simply the best book you'll ever read about running." -- Lloyd Bradley, author, "The Rough Guide to Running," former Consultant Editor, Runners' World and Men's Health
"Wonderful. It's funny, insightful, captivating, and a great and beautiful discovery. I just loved this book."
-- Lynne Cox, author of "Swimming to Antarctica"
'Exhilarating' Richard Askwith, author of 'Feet in the Clouds: A Tale of Fell-Running and Obsession'
-- Richard Askwith, author of Feet in the Clouds: A Tale of Fell-Running and Obsession
"Hugely entertaining...one of the most joyful and engaging books about running to appear for many years." -- The Irish Times
"A brilliantly written account of extraordinary endurance - it's destined to become a classic." -- Sir Ranulph Fiennes
"Quite simply the best book you'll ever read about running." -- Lloyd Bradley, author, "The Rough Guide to Running," former Consultant Editor, Runners' World and Men's Health
"Wonderful. It's funny, insightful, captivating, and a great and beautiful discovery. I just loved this book."
-- Lynne Cox, author of "Swimming to Antarctica"
'Exhilarating' Richard Askwith, author of 'Feet in the Clouds: A Tale of Fell-Running and Obsession'
-- Richard Askwith, author of Feet in the Clouds: A Tale of Fell-Running and Obsession
Review
"Hugely entertaining...one of the most joyful and engaging books about running to appear for many years."
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217 of 221 people found the following review helpful
By D. Sull
Format:Hardcover
Born to Run succeeds at three levels. First, it is a page turner. The build up to a fifty-mile foot race over some of the world's least hospitable terrain drives the narrative forward. Along the way McDougall introduces a cast of characters worthy of Dickens, including an almost superhuman ultramarathoner, Jenn and the Bonehead--a couple who down bottles of booze to warm up for a race, Barefoot Ted, Mexican drug dealers, a ghostly ex-boxer, a heartbroken father, and of course the Tarahumara, arguably the greatest runners in the world.
Born to Run is such a rip-roaring yarn, that it is easy to miss the book's deeper achievements. At a second level, McDougall introduces and explores a powerful thesis--that human beings are literally born to run. Recreational running did not begin with the 1966 publication of "Jogging" by the co-founder of Nike. Instead, McDougall argues, running is at the heart of what it means to be human. In the course of elaborating his thesis, McDougall answers some big questions: Why did our ancestors outlive the stronger, smarter Neanderthals? Why do expensive running shoes increase the odds of injury? The author's modesty keeps him from trumpeting the novelty and importance of this thesis, but it merits attention.
Finally, Born to Run presents a philosophy of exercise. The ethos that pervades recreational and competitive running--"no pain, no gain," is fundamentally flawed, McDougall argues. The essence of running should not be grim determination, but sheer joy. Many of the conventions of modern running--the thick-soled shoes, mechanical treadmills, take no prisoners competition, and heads-down powering through pain dull our appreciation of what running can be--a sociable activity, more game than chore, that can lead to adventure. McDougall's narrative moves the book forward, his thesis provides a solid intellectual support, but this philosophy of joy animates Born to Run. I hope this book finds the wide audience it deserves
Born to Run is such a rip-roaring yarn, that it is easy to miss the book's deeper achievements. At a second level, McDougall introduces and explores a powerful thesis--that human beings are literally born to run. Recreational running did not begin with the 1966 publication of "Jogging" by the co-founder of Nike. Instead, McDougall argues, running is at the heart of what it means to be human. In the course of elaborating his thesis, McDougall answers some big questions: Why did our ancestors outlive the stronger, smarter Neanderthals? Why do expensive running shoes increase the odds of injury? The author's modesty keeps him from trumpeting the novelty and importance of this thesis, but it merits attention.
Finally, Born to Run presents a philosophy of exercise. The ethos that pervades recreational and competitive running--"no pain, no gain," is fundamentally flawed, McDougall argues. The essence of running should not be grim determination, but sheer joy. Many of the conventions of modern running--the thick-soled shoes, mechanical treadmills, take no prisoners competition, and heads-down powering through pain dull our appreciation of what running can be--a sociable activity, more game than chore, that can lead to adventure. McDougall's narrative moves the book forward, his thesis provides a solid intellectual support, but this philosophy of joy animates Born to Run. I hope this book finds the wide audience it deserves
57 of 58 people found the following review helpful
By A reader
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
The title of this book suggests it is a tale about ultra-distance runners and tales of heroic enterprise. That is partially true, but not the entire truth, and that is why this book deserves a wide audience.
Under the tale of a 50 mile race through inhospitable terrain is a theme that running is fun, and that humans are uniquely adapted to running to such a degree that it is suggested that the trappings of civilisation have denied us our essential nature.
Using the story of a mystery runner in the canyons of Mexico as a thread, we are lead through a discussion of the mental and physical aspects of running, with a look at how tribes untouched by "civilisation" around the world demonstrate McDougall's thesis.
McDougall presents a convincing argument that biologically and mentally we are designed to be distance runners. He argues that it is external issues - the selling of running shoes, the limitations we put on ourselves and that society attempts to impose - that prove to be the limiting factor for many of us. If anything, the characters presented become not super-athletes (as some authors have portrayed ultra runners) but actually very ordinary people who have chosen to ignore the preconceptions about what we "ought" to be able to do.
Yes, the book does give a lot of insight into ultra running - but it also has as a lot in it for anyone who runs, be you someone who runs for pleasure and excercise, or a keen competitive athlete. Highly recommended.
Under the tale of a 50 mile race through inhospitable terrain is a theme that running is fun, and that humans are uniquely adapted to running to such a degree that it is suggested that the trappings of civilisation have denied us our essential nature.
Using the story of a mystery runner in the canyons of Mexico as a thread, we are lead through a discussion of the mental and physical aspects of running, with a look at how tribes untouched by "civilisation" around the world demonstrate McDougall's thesis.
McDougall presents a convincing argument that biologically and mentally we are designed to be distance runners. He argues that it is external issues - the selling of running shoes, the limitations we put on ourselves and that society attempts to impose - that prove to be the limiting factor for many of us. If anything, the characters presented become not super-athletes (as some authors have portrayed ultra runners) but actually very ordinary people who have chosen to ignore the preconceptions about what we "ought" to be able to do.
Yes, the book does give a lot of insight into ultra running - but it also has as a lot in it for anyone who runs, be you someone who runs for pleasure and excercise, or a keen competitive athlete. Highly recommended.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By L. Griffin
Format:Hardcover
As a newcomer to running I've read a few running related books but none captivated me as much as this one. A wonderful insight into the mindset of long distance runners, it looks at running from a completely different perspective from how I have been doing. Lots of interesting theories about how we are literally born to run and why modern runners are so plagued by injury.
All wrapped up in a genuinly entertaining yarn. If you are looking for a book about running then look no further, whole heartedly recommended.
All wrapped up in a genuinly entertaining yarn. If you are looking for a book about running then look no further, whole heartedly recommended.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Inspirational
This book inspired me to get out and start running. It's so good to read of people whose lives are so different to mine and who are capable of feats of endurance which I had no... Read more
Published 1 day ago by G. Atkinson
5.0 out of 5 stars
hooked on the first chapter!!
only just started and impossible to put down. Bought the Kindle edition, but will be getting the real book for my bookshelf and looking for more by this author. Read more
Published 2 days ago by Catherine
5.0 out of 5 stars
A classic.
One of the best books I have ever read.
Will be gracing my shelves for many, many years, one of those classics you just keep rereading. Read more
Will be gracing my shelves for many, many years, one of those classics you just keep rereading. Read more
Published 4 days ago by Mr. J. T. P. Goode
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Book
I wish I would have found this book when it first came out. I have the kindle edition.
Loved it. Great characters. A must read if yoo are interested in running!
Loved it. Great characters. A must read if yoo are interested in running!
Published 9 days ago by MacAussie
5.0 out of 5 stars
Loving this.
Most of the way through now and loving this book. So many interesting characters and stories. Very inspiring. Who would think a book about running would be so good?!
Published 9 days ago by Top
5.0 out of 5 stars
An Outstanding Read.
This was such a great read; I couldn't put it down.
I'm a couch potato, but found this factual story to be incredibly well written, laugh out loud on the underground... Read more
I'm a couch potato, but found this factual story to be incredibly well written, laugh out loud on the underground... Read more
Published 11 days ago by David Greaves
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fabulous book, a must read!
This is a fabulous book, regardless of whether you run or not. The end of each chapter leaves you running straight to the start of the next one, loving it and feeling as light as a... Read more
Published 11 days ago by Miss Alice E A Doggrell
5.0 out of 5 stars
Every runner, great or not should read this book!
Fantastic book! I loved that it had a main theme, then some chapters broke out and told other small and very interesting stories about distance running/runners/evolution. Read more
Published 12 days ago by K E G Willan
5.0 out of 5 stars
Inspiring book
This is the most inspiring book i've read. It changed my entire attitude towards running and I now run without having to push myself to do it. Read more
Published 12 days ago by B. Jason
5.0 out of 5 stars
An amazing, inspiring read that I highly recommend to both runners and...
An amazing, inspiring read that I highly recommend to both runners and non-runners alike.
Having run for several years, I've always struggled with enjoying the process... Read more
Having run for several years, I've always struggled with enjoying the process... Read more
Published 13 days ago by Marc Love
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