Book Review: Born to Run

This was one of the best books I've read in a while!  Ok, before I get too excited...

The Book:  Born to Run by Christopher McDougall

I had heard of it through Tina Haupert's blog, Carrots 'N' Cake, and she just raved about it.  Seeing as she is a pretty serious runner, and by serious I mean that she enjoys running, eagerly pursues it, and makes it part of her life, regardless if she is an all star runner or not.  A serious runner to me is someone who runs out of the joy of it.  Anyway!  So I took her opinion to probably be on par for me too since I'm another runner (maybe not so serious because I don't always love it, lol).

I wasn't sure what the book was about, even after reading the back cover but Tina said it was good, so I picked up a copy when I found it on sale at Target.  (FYI, I don't follow any other professional bloggers so its surreal to me to be taking her advice like a friend!  I almost had to laugh at myself!)

The book is all about the joy and love of running really.  I think that was the overall theme.  It follows a guy who goes out and decides to figure out why some people (ultramarathoners) can run incredibly long distances, but everyone else in the world ends up with an injury every other month (apparently according to the book, 8 out of 10 runners get a running related injury every year, eek!).  So he dives in a finds this tribe in Mexico that runs hundreds of miles almost every day.  He meets all these crazy people in the book and follows them through their adventures to where they all came together one day, professional ultra-marathoners along side Mexican tribesman, for an ultra-race.  Its an amazing and uplifting story and its also hilarious.  He makes cracks and jokes that are all a little tongue-in-cheek.

It is also very informative in the book.  You learn a lot about style and technique of running and how/why people might get hurt (he never says you should run barefoot but you get that idea throughout the book).  I found it very motivating and exciting and definitely a must-read for anyone who enjoys distance running!

It affected me in different ways.  Of course, very motivating (I kept thinking back to the book and went out for a run, adding 1/2 mile to my regular route because I decided it was just too short!).  I am also decided on getting a pair of Vibram Five Fingers to experience the barefoot running.  Even if I just use them for short runs, its something I want to give a shot!  I have heard nothing but good things about them.  I had been on the fence about trying them and this book pushed me to decide to get a pair.  Of course, I will update you all when they arrive and I try them :)  Still deciding which pair to get.

Anyway, if you enjoy running, enjoy hearing about amazing feats of human athleticism, then pick up this book.  With the humor and the ease of the writing, you will fly right through the pages, and then probably go out for a jog afterward!