And I am back. Don't
know how many comebacks have I done till now. This place keeps pulling me to
share my strongest thoughts and views. So, I am back to my blog world with a
different flavor of writing - my first attempt at writing a book review. Never before
have I written a book review, not even on Amazon or Goodreads , usually escape
by giving the ratings. And so I chose to write a review on a book about running
( something close to my heart)-
"Born To Run" by Christopher McDougall.
The book is based on
one simple fact - running is a skill, doesn't matter which footwear you wear,
if you know the right technique, focus
on your form, you are good to go for miles !
The book's central
character is the author himself, a journalist by profession. An interesting article on Mexican Indian
tribe - Tarahumara and his own personal inquisitiveness to know how to run
without a pain sets him off for this life altering journey to remotest areas of
Mexico. His subject of study is Tarahumara tribe, known to be the greatest
mainstream runners of all time. The book outlines in detail difference between
their running style and ours which is the key differentiator, and also provides a peek
into their daily affairs, lifestyle, diet etc. Imagine running up and down the
mountain trails for miles wearing nothing more than a thin rubber strip
sandals- that's the way they do, not occasionally but every day, not for any
money or fame, but for the sheer joy of running !!
In addition to this
interesting discovery of Mexican tribe, the book also talks about the history
of ultra-running, famous ultra-runners and legendary races. One such race was
Leadville Trail 100, a 100 mile race, wherein Ann Transon, a prodigy, posed a stiff
competition to Tarahumara. This race becomes talk of the town for days. The book
highlights startling scientific discoveries as well, for example, the modern shoes may be actually causing us injuries because
the natural form of running for humans is barefoot running.
The book's
conclusion is the most exciting part. It ends up with author's dream race
between Tarahumara and America's best ultra-runners, celebrating the true
spirit of human endurance and sportsmanship!
Overall, the book is a good combination of memoir, sports history,
adventure, science & evolution - celebrating the theory that we humans are
'born to run'.
I would leave you
with this beautiful passage from the book -
"Know
why people run marathons? Because running is rooted in our collective
imagination, and our imagination is rooted in running. Language, art, science;
space shuttles, Starry Night,
intravascular surgery; they all had their roots in our ability to run. Running
was the superpower that made us human -- which means it's a superpower all
humans possess."
