Born to Run

I've been an Amazon customer for many years now, but have only just been moved to write a review. This book is brilliant. Not just as a running book, nor just as a sports or travel book. This is just a great book. Probably the most enjoyable book I've ever read. I whizzed through it in record time. It's insightful, eye-opening, interesting, inspirational, moving and funny. You couldn't make the characters up in this story - and they're all real! This could have just been another one man versus *insert challenge here* but McDougall has created something much more than that. He puts forward lots of ideas about running technique, especially barefoot running, (non-runners, please don't be put off) but it's all backed by scientific studies. It's a perfect mix of anecdote and techy bits. He has quotes from some of the leading coaches and biomechanical experts in the world and it just helps to tie the whole yarn together. It's genuinely changed my outlook on running and even THE WAY in which I run. More than that it's a great story, using McDougall as the vehicle to put into action Caballo Blanco's dream about staging the Ultramarathon to end all others: The esteemed Tarahumara tribe taking on the best of the rest of the world in their own back yard. I've been raving about this book to everyone I know and have offered to lend it to them when I finish. I finished it a week or so ago but can't bring myself to pass it on. I'll be re-reading it again soon - it's that good. So many pearls of wisdom, I'll be taking notes this time too. Five stars.

fiendishly well written, amusing and deeply touching. This book can be enjoyed by runners and non-runners alike. It reads like the cracking adventure story that it is but packs in wisdom, intrigue and some hard science to boot. I loved this book. It has inspired me to make pinole to fuel my own ultras. Essential reading for all pedestrians. 10\10.

Got the audio version of this book. Quick download and synched seamlessly across several devices. The reader was easy to listen to and read the book with good vocal tone/clarity and expression. The story and book itself was slow to start and I felt there was a lot of faffing and page filling without saying much. Once it got into the real story and racing it brought a sense of excitement and anticipation through words. Some useful info but not a book for those looking for training tips or plans. I'd recommend this book, especially for runners looking for additional motivation or thinking of taking on the fun of an ultra.

Whilst running along the Chess valley in Bucks with my wife and dogs we came across a runner who wore Vibram Fivefingers shoes. As he was new to the area, he decided to join us for a while. We of course asked a thousand questions about his shoes (finding out that whilst we only had ran 5K so far that morning, he was on his 23rd kilometer) and whether if was worth acquiring some. We ran through thick mud and deep puddles for another 5K and he not only kept up with us but slowed down for us! I was really impressed with the shoes. Before he left us to return home (10K further) he told us to buy "born to run". Which we promply did and read. In a nutshell, the first quarter of the book is interesting, occasionnally dragging for too long and really diverting from the topic but the rest of the book is amazing. It is a journey shared that you never want to end. I used to think that entering a half-marathon race once a year or a few 10Ks was an achievement or that running a couple of 5Ks a week with a 10K over the weekend was good going at my age (soon to be 50. How wrong was I! I have been plagued with injuries most of my life and this book in as little as two months, has changed both my wife's and my life. My wife is asthmatic and with very poor lung capacity, the most she has ever ran up to two month ago was 10K and that is with numerous breaks. Only last Sunday, she vanished with the dogs and came back a while later having ran 10 miles, 60% more than she had ever ran. I now run between 10 and 15K three to four times a week, before going to work, whilst my wife run slighlty less distance (but catching up!) and tops up her runs with several spinning classes. We also a longer run up to and occasionnally longer than a half marathon every Sundays. All without injuries. This book really breaks the boundaries. I now know that running a marathon is a mild achievement relatively easy to reach. I also know that my horizon has changed as I know I can achieve greater distances without getting injured. My new target is a 50 miles run, then I'll see how I feel and might carry on... It is all about self belief, the correct running technique and the right pair of shoes.

Uma jornada incrível, vc corre com eles!

I started to read this and i was bummed everytime I had to put it down, and then I got the audiobook and I could barely stop listening. Christopher unravels the story of the Tarahumara, the running people located somewhere in the Barrancas and feeds you on their ease of lifestyle, and passion of running. As someone who forced themselves to run 45 minutes a day, I now find that running to me is more of an enjoyment and that there is so much more than “just running.” This book was a joy, and subtly compares running an Ultra, to the race of life which I personally feel inclined to liken to my own journey of faith as a Christian. Humans were born to run, because we were made to run. Our own two legs are the best vehicles we were ever given, and after reading this book, I’m sure you’ll be convinced likewise.

Super recommend for runners at all levels.

Me encanta ese libro! Me motiva a salir a correr y he aprendido nuevas técnicas y mucha información. También lo tengo en castellano!

ES DE MIS FAVORITOS, gran libro , sentí emoción de nuevo por correr, la historia se basa en hechos científicos, la narrativa es interesante , me encantó ! , si te gusta correr te va a fascinar y si no te gusta es muy probablemente que le encuentres un muy buen gusto a empezar