Born To Run Book Review

Born to Run
A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen
Written by Christopher McDougall

Publication Date: May 5, 2009

"Running Should be Free" - Caballo Blanco

Christopher McDougall contacted me a few months back and asked if I would be interested in reviewing and writing about his book.  I was intrigued and knew just a little about the content so, of course, I said yes.   And was glad I did!

This wildly entertaining book takes you on an adventurous thrill ride with author Christopher McDougall.  McDougall is a great story teller and weaves varied tales all together as they intertwine into one great book.

The book starts with McDougall's journey into Mexico's Copper Canyon that begins with the question "Why does my foot hurt?"  In his quest for answers, McDougall discovers the Tarahumara Indians, who are quite possibly the most intriguing (and greatest) distance runners on the planet.  Their real name "Raramuri" translates into "The Running People".

The Tarahumara are literally born to run and from an early age Taramuhara children play running games which continue well into their old age.  It is not uncommon for 80 year old Tarahumara to run litterally all day long through rough, mountainous terrain on little more than Pinole (a corn mixture used as a type of superfuel - There are no gels in the Copper Canyon!)  Not only are the Tarahumara excellent runners, they are also known for incredible health, long lives, serenity, and their peaceful and reclusive nature.

Born to run tackles many issues issues, including why are so many runners injured every year (some data suggests as many as 80% of runners get injured every year), does running make a great man or woman or does a great man or woman make a great runner, and ultimately - aren't we all "Born to Run" by our very nature, history and bio-mechanical makeup?

Ultra and trail runners will also be fascinated with stories that include many of today's well known names in ultra running such as Scott Jurek, Ann Trason (there is a great account of the history 1994 Leadville 100 showdown between Ann and the Tarahumara), Barefoot Ted, Jenn Shelton and Luis Escobar, among others.   All these runners (aside from Ann) are involved in the final climatic story of this book which centers around the first ultra-distance race in Mexico's Copper Canyon.  Luis Escobar has pictures here from this momentous event. The Copper Canyon Ultra (50 miles) still exists today and recently finished it's 4th annual event.  I've always been intrigued by this event and after reading the book it's now on my "Run To-do" list (and I am currently planning on running it in 2010).  You can read more about the Tarahumra and the Copper Canyon Ultra Marathon here.

Born To Run is a must-have book that belongs in anyone's library who is even remotely interested in running, or for that matter the human race.  After all, we are all really Born to Run aren't we?

---------------

Check out the soon-to-be-live website for Born to Run

Comments

[Stuart]

Great stuff I'm always looking for new reading material. I was in Copper Canyon in 04, it makes the Grand Canyon look like a pot hole!

[caballo blanco]

Truth is beauty
Beauty is truth
This is all we really know in life
And all we need to know.
May the Raramuri and all of us
continue to run free.

Keats y Caballo Blanco

[Billy Burger]

I've been fascinated by this book (not to mention possibly getting a pair of the huaraches they run in) and finally took the plunge and purchased a copy off of Amazon.

Hearing nothing but great things about it and will definitely have to look up Mr McDougall at the LA Marathon expo!

[Dick Gardner]

I have been to the Copper Canyon, seen this tribe of Indians, and they are nothing like what is described in this book. Their health is bad, death rate is very high in children, mainly with TB.

[Iris H Thompson]

I saw the interview with Jon Stewart... as a native of the great state of Chihuahua, I feel deeply touch to see the Tarahumaras being portrayed in this book and presented to the rest of the world. Thank you Christopher McDougall for honoring such a wonderful ancient culture. Thank you also for exposing how little the Mexican government has done to preserve our roots.

[caballo blanco]

It is True that infant mortality runs high in the land of the Tarahumara. And that not all villages share an equally healthy life. We are wanting to help change that. May the Raramuri and all of us continue to Run free.

Caballo Blanco

[Terry Schuman]

I just finished reading this book (I saw McDougall on the Daily Show a few weeks ago which sparked my interest).
In my opinion, it's one of the best books ever written with running as its theme.
If you're a runner, or like me, an ex-runner, this book will truly inspire you in many ways.
It's a book that is part running history, part science/technology, and reads like a spellbinding novel at times.
And to top it off, "the greatest race ever run" is a riveting finish to a really great book!
I'm truly inspired to get back out there and begin running again, and because of this book, have hope that I can do it without suffering from injuries that have plagued me in the past.

[steve]

This book inspired me to start running again. I tried some of the basics that are mentioned in the book and my first impression was they worked for me.
The first step towards change is awareness, and this book definatly raised my awareness of some of my own problems, and the peoples of the world.

[Igor Galkin]

I've been running in the vibram 5 fingers shoes for about 2 weeks after reading Born to Run, and for the 1st time in years I dont have knee foot or hip pain. My calves hurt like hell, but im hoping the muscles will adjust with time. Amazing to think how much damage I've already done by heel striking the last 7 years, hope theres not too much permanant damage done. Looking forward to running my 25 miles per week again like I used to before I got hurt from wearing my Asics/Mizunos. It was also incredibly eye opening to find out that marathon times dont significantly drop untill someone is in their 50s/60s, now I have something to look forward to for decades to come. Thank you for writing the book Chris. "You dont stop running because you get old, you get old, because you stop running" - Born to run

[micke-midlife]

just finished the book yesterday and I liked it. It inspired me to do things differently than up to now in my quest to get back to a 2:30 marathon. The barefoot running seems something worth trying in a couple of sessions a week. Well, can do it only indoors right now, it's -10 to -15 C in Helsinki right now and snow and ice all around. Also the antelope hunting isn't something I'm gonna commit to. It would be moose or reindeer around here, fortunately those don't really belong to my diet. It's more fish, vegetable and pasta here.

[SL]

Read and loved the book and made me wonder- could running an antelope to death really still work? I wrote out a quick strategy outline of how to run a deer down.

[Grantham Taylor, Hughes]

I started back running (an A athlete when younger with professional sports potential -karate black belt and isometric training) about a year and one/half ago. I lost over a hundred pounds becoming a raw vegan. The running just seemed the natural thing to do having so much new energy and feeling like a kid again. Since starting to run again in September 2008 (same month ironically Hali Grbasalassi did the marathon record 2.3.59), I lost forty more pounds having done four marathons last year and 2,000 miles overall. I am 60 (in July) and agree with one comment that one is a better long distance runner when older (however, I did an unofficial sub-four minute mile when 27). Still I think one is more disciplined mentally when older. The main thing I believe is diet and hydration - the latter is why we have pain regarding just needed lubrication of muscles that create friction equating to pain. That is my discovery and now I drink about 200 oz. of water everyday and weigh 138 lbs. (minimum should be one oz. of water per pound of weight). The raw vegan (no cooked food, dairy, or meat) is the main piece of magic because you need more energy and keeping the enzymes alive creates fast recovery rates (overnight in most cases). I like the Vo2 rates that Runners World diagrammed that increase one's speed if followed diligently. Run a 10K and then they have a graph that has a gradient speed to run within that will help increase your speeds. I think speed is mostly mental, but the needed energy is also every important. When one eats dead food (cooked), their energy is basically dead. Eat live food (uncooked) and viola alive energy! It is that simple. I appreciate that raw corn that Tarahumara eat, but also it is a cultural mind-set too. I think our culture (American) has too many mental limitations. That is why we are not exceptional. The allopathic doctors keep the limits like professionals who hurt muscles and are out for two weeks. Recover overnight with raw veganism. It is the intelligent alternative and I think when allopaths decide to stop insulting their intelligence they will stop prescribing pharmaceutical powders or dirt from the ground mixed with food coloring.