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Most Helpful Favorable Review
11 out of 14 people found this review helpful.
A great book!
This is an extremely well written book. I bought this while travelling in Dublin and was impressed with every line. This is a must read for anyone who is serious about running or understanding runners. This is the sort of book that readily inspires young and old alike t...Read More
This is an extremely well written book. I bought this while travelling in Dublin and was impressed with every line. This is a must read for anyone who is serious about running or understanding runners. This is the sort of book that readily inspires young and old alike to rethink everything they have been taught and to just "get out there and run for the joy of the running". What a novel concept.Show Less
posted by richd484 on May 3, 2009
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6 out of 16 people found this review helpful.
Born to Run by Cristopher McDougall
Although I am 71 and NOT a runner, I couldn't put this book down and have already given it as a gift. Having talked to many young runners about it, I have the feeling it has become a "bible" to them. The Indian tribe in the Copper Canyon that inspired the author and o...Read More
Although I am 71 and NOT a runner, I couldn't put this book down and have already given it as a gift. Having talked to many young runners about it, I have the feeling it has become a "bible" to them. The Indian tribe in the Copper Canyon that inspired the author and others run barefooted and win all their races. It was SO inspiring that I almost felt like putting on my walking shoes and getting out onto a track to actually run. Alas, that was not to be; however, as I read, I could feel the sun beating down on my head, the wind in my hair and my bare feet no longer in pain!
The book also points how how the Running Shoe Industry has conned everyone into buying more and more expensive and complicated shoes in their pursuit of running faster. As a result, feet have suffered. This reminded me of the cigarette industry and how they duped the public.Show Less
The book also points how how the Running Shoe Industry has conned everyone into buying more and more expensive and complicated shoes in their pursuit of running faster. As a result, feet have suffered. This reminded me of the cigarette industry and how they duped the public.Show Less
posted by Gingy on April 17, 2010
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richd484
Posted May 3, 2009
I Also Recommend:
A great book!
This is an extremely well written book. I bought this while travelling in Dublin and was impressed with every line. This is a must read for anyone who is serious about running or understanding runners. This is the sort of book that readily inspires young and old alike to rethink everything they have been taught and to just "get out there and run for the joy of the running". What a novel concept.
11 out of 14 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous
Posted April 17, 2010
Born to Run by Cristopher McDougall
Although I am 71 and NOT a runner, I couldn't put this book down and have already given it as a gift. Having talked to many young runners about it, I have the feeling it has become a "bible" to them. The Indian tribe in the Copper Canyon that inspired the author and others run barefooted and win all their races. It was SO inspiring that I almost felt like putting on my walking shoes and getting out onto a track to actually run. Alas, that was not to be; however, as I read, I could feel the sun beating down on my head, the wind in my hair and my bare feet no longer in pain!
The book also points how how the Running Shoe Industry has conned everyone into buying more and more expensive and complicated shoes in their pursuit of running faster. As a result, feet have suffered. This reminded me of the cigarette industry and how they duped the public.6 out of 16 people found this review helpful.
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Fascinating and enjoyable and I am not a runner!
I couldn't put this book down. This surprised me because not only am I not a runner, I rarely am inspired to read a book all the way to the end. After hearing an interview with the author on the radio, I felt that I had to give this book a try. I am glad that I did and I am telling just about everyone I know that they should, too. The main story, the people and their stories , and the theories proposed, were all fascinating. It was an enjoyable read that I wanted to continue after the last page. Satisfying in many ways.
5 out of 8 people found this review helpful.
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The joy of running - Rediscovering how we are all Born to Run
Ever since I first read an article by McDougall in Men's Health about the Tarahumara, I have been fascinated with finding out more about these amazing people. With Born to Run, my appetite for knowledge of their running prowess has been kicked into overdrive.
In Born to Run, McDougall weaves a Tolstoy-esque cast of characters, from running icons like Bill Bowerman to a virtually unknown and enigmatic gringo named Micah True, aka Caballo Blanco.
Upon receiving this book, I was a bit wary of the pitfalls that many books of this type can fall into, yet somehow McDougall weaves a story of epic proportions while still filling your mind with the truly simple science behind why barefoot is better. Not only does McDougall come to this realization because of his extensive research, but by putting into practice all the techniques that he learns along the way.
Every time I put this book down, I couldn't help but want to pick it up again, if only for one more page. The real joy and pleasure of this book, which is exactly the overriding message that lies within, is the joy of running that we have somehow managed to lose. Born to Run, through the wonderful words of Christopher McDougall made me want to put down this masterpiece only to go outside to run, like the Tarahumara, with a smile on my face4 out of 7 people found this review helpful.
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kwrunner
Posted February 6, 2010
Revolutionize the way you think about running
A great overall read! McDougall carefully introduces a revolutionary running technique woven through the true stories of runners who prove it works. Both entertaining and inspiring to a wide range of runners and adds sparkle and interest to an otherwise mundane topic. Only disappointment is a few unnecessary f-words sprinkled throughout (which I find even more offensive to read than to hear.)
3 out of 6 people found this review helpful.
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WildwomanPB
Posted January 10, 2010
Superb!
Very well written and inspirational as well as informative. I'd highly recommend to either an athlete looking for inspiration and information as well as someone looking for a good read.
3 out of 6 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous
Posted September 21, 2009
an inspiring read for non-runners as well as competitive athletes
I would recommend this book as an intriguing selection for anyone interested in anthropology, running or the quirks of human nature. McDougall's narrative cooks right along and keeps you turning pages to find out how the race turns out. His treatment of the characters is respectful and insightful and creates a desire in the reader to go out and push your body to it's limits just to see what you are capable of. A truly enjoyable story!
3 out of 6 people found this review helpful.
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Dan_Bauer
Posted July 23, 2009
I Also Recommend:
Run, don't walk, to get this book
This book is great on so many levels: writing style, humor, research, a quest for self-awareness, what makes humans unique, sports, marketing, spiritual, physiology, even anthropology. It's all wrapped in this engaging ball of a ture yarn. The most engaging part is the cast of characters: from the mysterious to the eccentric to college kids gone wild. This book should be on every bestseller's list. Hunter S. Thompson's biographer should be Christopher McDougall. The only thing missing: illustrations of THE race. But even there, the cover entices the imagination and the author paints vivid images of people, races and our past. Even a nonrunner like myself (a contradiction based on the title alone) thinks this should be on everyone's list of must-reads.
3 out of 6 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous
Posted December 6, 2011
I Also Recommend:
Plantar Fasciitis
Runners who have plantar fasciitis that interferes with their running might also be interested in "The 5-Minute Plantar Fasciitis Solution."
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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calnokaoi
Posted May 15, 2010
Reinforced Life Experience
I was 14 years old when I first wore shoes for my 8th grade elementary school graduation. Until then I went barefoot or wore flip-flops. Every day after elementary school, I ran home barefoot. (In the mornings, we were bussed to school.)
"Born to run" does not have technical foot or barefoot running information, rather it has general data about running barefoot. It combines a very interesting story about running barefoot, 100 mile marathons and the Tarahumara indians.
I don't run barefoot now but I do all my current karate exercises barefoot. "Barefoot Is Better."1 out of 6 people found this review helpful.
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BillPilgrim
Posted May 14, 2010
Read this if You Want to enjoy Your Running More
The author is a writer for out-doorsy-type magazines. This book covers a lot of territory, none very thoroughly: The sport of ultramarathoning, and the men and women who participate in it; the Tarahumara, a reclusive, native American tribe living an isolated existence in the Copper Canyon in Mexico, a canyon larger than the Grand Canyon, who were persuaded to participate in a few ultramarathons in Colorado in the 90's; the history of running, describing scientific inquiry into whether man evolved to run long distances; and, also the science of running, techniques particularly whether running shoes hurt or help the modern runner.
The book focusses on and the climax of the book describes a race in the Copper Canyon between Tarahumara runners and a few Americans who made the trek there to participate. The race was conceived and primarily organized by a man known as Caballo Blanco, the "White Horse", a real odd-ball, long distance runner and former boxer, who has been living in the Copper Canyon among the Tarahumara was many years.
I found the book to be very entertaining, even if it left me wanting alot more information on all of the topics that are touched on. If you were not already a runner, this book will convince you to try it, or nothing ever will. I already run. Not the distances described in the book, but more than the average.1 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous
Posted April 20, 2010
Fun to read, inspiring
"Born to Run" is a fun read. It is better as entertainment than true research material, but that's okay. The books starts out as a the story of the author as he tries to find a cure for the pain he get in his back when he runs a few steps. His journey takes him to a remote canyon in Mexico, where he meets the Tarahumara Indians and a legendary figure known as the Caballo Blanco. The Tarahumara Indians live in true isolation by choice and run everywhere within their territory on thin sandals made of tires. The author comes to the conclusion that the solution to everyone's running injuries is to not wear shoes, or to wear the shoes that are mimic barefoot running as closely as possible. He goes on to talk to experts in archaeology and other fields who feel the same way about the natural way to run. Definitely an inspiring book for a runner, as it makes it seem like almost anybody can run 50 miles in the hot desert sun. The science behind his claims may be questionable, but as long as they are taken with a grain of salt, this book is enjoyable, light read.
1 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Human endurance and eclectic personality
Stories about elite runners called "ultra-runners" who go 50-100 miles through cross-country terrain, such as native Tarahumaras of obscure Mexican mountains, beat poetry loving party animals, a hermetic loner philosopher, and abarefoot runner. The author Christopher McDougal, similar to the trails and switchbacks through the mountians, leads us on tangents about human endurance, running injuries, running physiology, running injuries attributed to super-cushioned shoes from a certian giant footwear company.
I am not a runner, but have been inspired to get outside and running.1 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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You don't need to be a runner for this to be fascinating...
Bleedin' great readin'. I guess the big thing about this book is that it doesn't matter if you run or not--it's still fascinating. I mean, especially if you don't run, you probably never hear of the Leadville 100, a 100-mile race through the mountains in Colorado. It's interesting to know about it, but then you add the characters that participate in it. It's a scream. Literally.
I missed my subway stops on Chapter 28, which is about the evolutionary science behind long distance running and why some animals do better than others. Now, you may think, how interesting can this be? Try it and see for yourself. The part about training in the Kalahari with the Bushmen had me enthralled.
I am not a runner, but I wish I was after this. In fact, I may just try it again, especially after knowing I don't have to be able to afford those expensive shoes. I do think there are some among us that are 'built' for running and the rest of us may be built for some other kind of sport, but there usually running can be incorporated into the cross training.
The final race is a vision: 100 degrees in the shade, 6000 foot peaks, the Tarahumara with their white, embroidered skirts, the "pretty little witch", big-mouth Ted with his green, toed socks, and a Mexican town dressed to party...it's engrossing.1 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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YaYaFL
Posted April 8, 2010
More about living than running
My husband and I (who are not long distance runners) both loved this book and I've given several as gifts to both running and non-running friends. It is more about a philosophy of life than a sports book. It provides insight and education about a couple of little known cultures. One is the Mexican tribe of long distance runners, the other is the culture of extreme endurance sports in in the US. Both are fascinatingly foreign. The book also has a good dose of humor and suspense. Highly recommend this very fast read.
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous
Posted April 8, 2010
READ THIS BEFORE YOUR NEXT MARATHON!
I picked up Born To Run after hearing several people in my tri club talking about the Tarahumara and their epic trail racing lifestyle. I truly was looking for some inspiration prior to running my first trail marathon and from the first page I was not disappointed. Inspiration is where you find it - and Born To Run is a must read before your next race!
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Running Man theory
Like a few others, I don't know what drew me to read this book. I'm not particularly athletic, and I'm not a runner much less a marathoner so...
The book tells many stories that weave together into one fun ride (read). You learn of a 'lost' Mexican indian tribe the Tarahumara, or more correctly The Raramuri. Living peacefully in the Copper Canyon area of the Mexican desert they seem to be able to run forever. They don't have the latest running shoes, or coaches or specialized nutrition. But when they run they seem to be just gliding over the ground, with an almost blissful expression on their faces. So why do we, with all the 'advantages' continually get hurt and wind up hating running so much?
You explore the 'running man' theory, how we humans were put together to run. For food, travel, but most of all survival. What role does nutrition play? Or is running more in our heads, our state of mind? What about running shoes? Helpful? The answers may surprise you. Certainly they seem to run contrary to what we're currently being told. Makes you think!
We learn about the Tarahumari, who ran a few races here in the USA only to reject our competitive ways, preferring a simpler, more cooperative life of their own. What secrets might they help us uncover and allow us to enjoy running more and become healthier in the process.
Caballo Blanco (The White Horse) a near mythic figure who forsook modern life to live among the Tarahumari, accepted as family, careful to preserve an almost lost way of living has a dream. What if there was a race on the Tarahumari home turf that included some of the running world's true elite performers along? A race, competitive for sure, but also a communal sharing spirit. Could it ever happen? Would it?
I was very glad I read this book. I won't go so far as to say it inspired me to start jogging (or at least exercise) but it made me think in some different directions than I expected. You may as well.1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Torrents
Posted March 25, 2010
I love this book
I recommend all runners and nonrunners alike read this book. It's amazing. The story is fantastic and so is the way it is presented. I feel like I understand the history of ultramarathons and almost see why someone would be crazy enough to try it. Fantastic book. I'm giving a copy to everyone I know.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Motlei
Posted March 13, 2010
An author's journey to discovering why we still get hurt when we run and the discovery of the running people.
Christopher McDougall set out to discover why runners overwhelmingly get injured or hurt every year even though we have shoes with the highest technology we can afford. Along the way he discovered the statistical outliers of the ultramarathon runners and especially the Tarahumara people of the Copper Canyon - people who run in thin sandals as a way of life and do not suffer the frequent aches and ailments of the "better shod".
I picked up this book because I had been turned on to the concept of barefoot running as a possible solution to my constant knee pain when running. The book conversationally describes the author's search for an answer woven into the story of his introduction to a man named Caballo Blanco and an ultramarathon race with the "Running People" of Copper Canyon.
I found the book to be an interesting, entertaining, and inspiring read and I encourage others that found themselves no longer enjoying their regular runs because of an ache or two that seems to nag at them to read this book and think about exchanging your running style instead of exchanging running for a different sport.1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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springfieldHI
Posted January 6, 2010
the spirit of running
really, really helped with my running mechanics, and inspiration
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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