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What Members Thought
Magnificent book! I loved it from start to finish. The author is just a mediocre runner like I am, but he is an excellent writer. In this book he manages to tell the stories of several people and groups of people who have interests in long distance running (50 miles or more). One of the most interesting is a tribe of native people (the Tarahumara) living their traditional culture in the nearly inaccessible area of Copper Canyon in Mexico. The Tarahumara also happen to be some of the best enduran
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This is a great book. The only reason that it did not receive 5 stars is due to a slow beginning. There were about 5-6 chapters before I was really pulled into the book, and by that point I was starting to have my doubts about the book as a whole. However, once it really started it is a great read. The characters are a diverse group that sometimes has you cringing as they interact. The book is packed full of information about running topics such as footwear (a huge subject of the book), diet, an
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This is a wonderful book written with verve and enthusiasm. It made me long to run and long for adventure. Well worth reading for anyone!
This was a very well-written and interesting book about ultramarathoners--those runners who run 50, 100, 150 mile races. The author, a writer for Runners' World Magazine, recruits an eclectic group (are there any other types of ultrarunners?!) to travel to Mexico to race a reclusive tribe of indians, the Tarahumara, known for their ability to run long races, wearing homemade sandals, and win. Several digressions are included in the book, but rather being a distraction, they only enhance the info
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After running with some very talented Native Americans at Yavapai, I wondered how this book would relate to my experience.
Some of it rang true, but some of it seemed like a provocative agenda. For example, we do need to strengthen our feet more by running barefoot. However, I do not recommend running barefoot through canyons all of the time. Running some strides in the grass after a workout would be a more ideal way to do this.
Bottom line, I think that taking the advice in this book in moderatio ...more
Some of it rang true, but some of it seemed like a provocative agenda. For example, we do need to strengthen our feet more by running barefoot. However, I do not recommend running barefoot through canyons all of the time. Running some strides in the grass after a workout would be a more ideal way to do this.
Bottom line, I think that taking the advice in this book in moderatio ...more
This book was extremely well written, entertaining, inspiring and made me really think about running .... and being human. I couldn't stop reading it and stayed up well beyond bedtime a couple nights because I wanted to see what happened next.
I'd highly recommend it to anyone who already runs, is trying to run without pain, or needs that little "push" to get into running. ...more
I'd highly recommend it to anyone who already runs, is trying to run without pain, or needs that little "push" to get into running. ...more
There's a reason this book is getting so much attention. First there's the sheer adventure of it--a little-known tribe in the Copper Canyons of Mexico that produces the world's best runners. Then there's what it teaches us about the science of running and the now formidable move towards as-close-to-barefoot running as possible. McDougall is by turns funny and insightful. Runners will like this book the most but it's a quick and quirky read for anyone.
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I shelved this as non-fiction, which is how it's billed, but a lot of this book is fanciful memoir journalism.
I didn't really get into it until about 80 pages in. McDougall might be a long-distance runner but I don't know if he's made it to the point of being a long-distance writer. The book was so discursive it occasionally made me dizzy. I could tell McDougall had several things to say, but I'm not how many of those things really got said. Too many themes can muddy the broth, what? I loved the ...more
I didn't really get into it until about 80 pages in. McDougall might be a long-distance runner but I don't know if he's made it to the point of being a long-distance writer. The book was so discursive it occasionally made me dizzy. I could tell McDougall had several things to say, but I'm not how many of those things really got said. Too many themes can muddy the broth, what? I loved the ...more
Great book. Very inspiring. Who knew that comentary on ultra-marathons could be so exciting.
One of the most fascinating books I've ever read...
This quote pretty much sums up the book: "Just move your legs. Because if you don't think you were born to run, you're denying history. You're denying who you are." ...more
This quote pretty much sums up the book: "Just move your legs. Because if you don't think you were born to run, you're denying history. You're denying who you are." ...more
enthralling...
Educational, inspiring, and Scott Jurek is the man. He could cash in, but he preferred to head off to nowhere to race the best for nothing but fun.
This book renewed my motivation to train. I'm not sure how or why, but after reading about the amazing runners chronicled in Born to Run, even my time on the treadmill seems to be less taxing.
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Probably the most entertaining book I've read on running. Ultramarathoners tend to be larger than life characters, and McDougall's got a pack of them. Lots of interesting discussions on what these unusual athletes can teach us 'everyday' runners. I'm not sure I'm a full believer in the barefoot/minimalist-shoe idea... but seems like it's worth thinking about.
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Possibly the best more personally inspiring books I've ever read. 5 starts doesn't give it nearly enough credit.
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Makes me want to go for a run every time I pick it up. Excellent balance of facts inter weaved with a compelling story. Love this book and would recommend to all runners. If you are thinking about taking up running, you should read it too.
A stellar read. It has been a while since I've had trouble putting a book down. If you're a runner, this is a must-read. If you're not, it will still be very enjoyable.
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Jun 17, 2009
Jaime
marked it as to-read
Sep 30, 2009
Kristin
added it
Jan 23, 2010
Thomas
marked it as to-read
