Born to Run

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

Ultrarunning (any distance beyond that of a marathon) is a somewhat unusual sport with an unbelievably dedicated cult following. Nonetheless, ultrarunning shares many traits of mainstream sports including elusive superstars like the Tarahumara. The Tarahumara are a tribe of indigenous people living in treacherous canyons in Mexico (due to both geography and sociopolitical upheaval in the region) known for their ability to endlessly and tirelessly run the trails traversing the steep canyon walls. Despite unsuccessful attempts to integrate Tarahumara talent into mainstream Western races, scientists, distance runners, and enthusiasts alike remain undeterred in efforts to learn from Tarahumara tradition. Whether analyzing gait, replicating diet, or speculating about the “heart” of running, much can be learned from the generational talent of the Tarahumara tribes. As Christopher McDougall prepares himself for the race of a lifetime – a one-off 50-mile race between a handful of elite endurance runners and the most renowned tribesmen – he tells the story and legend of the most fundamental human trait: the ability to run.

“Born to Run” is the sensational story of the peak of human ability in the most unbelievable circumstances. McDougall tells a lively story, integrating his own running triumphs and travails with legendary stories of runners suffering excruciating breakdowns and overcoming insurmountable obstacles. Although the stories often border on grandiosity (or spill over entirely), McDougall also roots his investigation in scientific endeavors and explanations. His attention to the technical aspects of training, nutrition, stride, and every other aspect of running that can possibly be analyzed is absolutely captivating for anyone with even the slightest interest in running. His tone throughout the book is that of the capable athlete who has accepted that he will never be elite, so instead he focuses on the love of the sport, infusing his descriptions with humor and sarcasm. The end result is enthralling, entertaining, and inspirational.

This book was a bit hard to get into because McDougall’s writing was a bit hard to swallow at times, but once I got about 50 pages in, it was almost impossible to put down. His approach to telling stories and overall tone were definitely the hardest parts about reading this book. He also makes some inaccurate statements. When discussing diet, he remarks that it would be best to “eat like a poor person,” by which he means that people should eat lots of fruits, veggies, and whole foods (not the store). What it actually means to “eat like a poor person” is to eat lots of cheap processed foods full of sugar and fat. When I wasn’t hung up on his writing, though, the book as fabulous. The stories about races, runners, and technique make running seem as riveting as it feels to me, and I really connected with the spirit of running that he describes throughout the book. Well worth the read, whether you run 50Ks, 5Ks, or not at all.