Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen by Christopher McDougallMy rating: 3 of 5 stars
Well, I now know loads more about ultra-marathoning. However the book is sparse on its central topic - the Tarahumara. This Copper Canyon tribe of indefatigable, super-athletes haunt and taunt mere mortal athletes. They don't suffer pedestrian ailments like shin splints, bunions or bursitis. They fly up hills. They are smiling at mile 88. I finished the book still hankering for more about these matchless marathoners.
Although short on Tarahumara details it is long on general anecdotal tales of other incredible runners and it was great fun to swim in this soup....it was far better entertainment than one could ever get watching staged reality programs on not-so-fabulous feats in the wilderness. Quite the opposite actually. These great competitors (many former Olympic medal winners) are the real deal. Also, many of the crazy characters McDougall met along the way were refreshing in a different way -- they were real people doing real things (a lot of HARD things), and I was inspired.
My favorite take-away idea as it relates to athletic performance came from Coach Vigil in advice he gave Deena Kastor when he agreed to take her on and help her qualify for the Olympics: Live lean and build your soul as much as your strength.
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