In the running world, there are a few books that I feel everyone and their mother have read. One of those books is of course, Born to Run. However, I must confess that throughout all of my years of running, I had never actually read it as free time and I don’t go well together. But thanks to hurricane Irene, I actually got a chance to read it on my honeymoon and I never reported back on it.
Image courtesy of Amazon.com
The book was nothing like what I expected. In fact, I didn’t know what to expect as I didn’t even glimpse at the back or know what it is about. The most I knew was that it was a true story about this dude who runs (deep, I know). Amazon describes the book as, “… an epic adventure that began with one simple question: Why does my foot hurt? In search of an answer, Christopher McDougall sets off to find a tribe of the world’s greatest distance runners and learn their secrets, and in the process shows us that everything we thought we knew about running is wrong.”
While that description is mostly true, I was fascinated by the book for other reasons. Yes, McDougall discovers one of the world’s hidden tribes and learns about their running secrets, but what struck me is McDougall’s pure willingness to put his heart into it and all of the amazing factoids hidden within. Granted, it was probably a work assignment, but this man stopped at nothing to adapt, inquire, learn, ask questions, explore, and become better person and runner because of it. I was fascinated that not only was the tribe’s story true, but so was his. It was also worth reading just to learn a bit more about the actual history of running and some of the great runners that we’ve all heard so much about. Just calling it inspiring doesn’t give it enough credit. Plus, he has a seriously amazing job.
When the book got into the later chapters they started harping about barefoot running,. While the science made sense, I started to feel like I was suddenly reading chapters of advertisements. It was my only gripe about the book – sure, present me the science, but don’t make me feel guilty because I don’t use them!
Overall, Born to Run is a great read that every runner must read.
However, the point of this post is not meant be a book review (hense the brief recap above), but instead to be a GIVEAWAY! The running gods were looking out for me this summer when by chance, I ended up with TWO copies of Born to Run (my mom bought me one and I bought myself one). Thus, I thought there wouldn’t be anyone better to give a copy to than you guys!
Here are the different ways you can enter the Born to Run giveaway:
- Leaving a comment telling me what your all-time favorite running book is (required entry)
- Tweet something hilarious using @Page and “Born to” in the tweet (+1 Entry)
- Follow me on Twitter (@Page) and leave a comment letting me know (+1 Entry)
The giveaway will end at 9 p.m. PST on Thursday, November 17th. The winner will be announced on Friday, November 18th.
Good luck and happy running!
My favorite running book is The Extra Mile by Pam Reed. That woman is amazing and an inspiration!!!
I’m following you on twitter @irunthere4iam
Kara Goucher’s Running for Women! I think that might be the only running book I have ever read, actually.
Don’t enter me in the giveaway since I already have the book (I just need to finish it!) But my favorite running book is probably The Perfect Mile – a great book about the quest during the 1950s to run a 4 minute mile, with Roger Bannister getting there first.
My favorite running book is “Marathon Woman” by Kathrine Switzer
Dying to read this book because, how sad is this, I DON’T HAVE A FAVORITE RUNNING BOOK. Does Runner’s World count? I’m awful about reading books, and this one is on my must-read list, so yay giveaway! I already follow you on Twitter, naturally, so consider this my official entry. And maybe I’ll think of a clever Tweet to add to the mix…
SEE YOU IN VEGAS.
I follow you on twitter 🙂
I got a copy of PRE as a Christmas gift in high school and it became my bible. I would read my favorite parts on the bus ride to cross country meets. I still have the tattered copy on my shelf.
Kara Goucher’s Running for Women is on the top of my list! This is definitely going on my list of books to read.
I read this a few years ago so I’m not entering the contest, but thought you’d enjoy the author’s Ted Talk on the subject: http://www.ted.com/talks/christopher_mcdougall_are_we_born_to_run.html
No need to enter me in the drawing as I have already read it. I just wanted to let you know that I felt the same way you did when I was reading the segments on barefoot running. I find ways to tear up my feet in shoes and socks. I don’t dare run barefoot, proven science or not!
My favorite running book (so far) is “Duel in the Sun” about the 1982 Boston Marathon between Alberto Salazar and Dick Beardsley. They were stride for stride for the entire race, but of course, only one could win. The description of the race is wonderfully written and so are the accounts of what happened to each of them in their lives following and why neither was ever able to run the same again.
I follow you on twitter (kakakaty). Favorite running book….hmm. I guess it’s not a “running’ book but it has helped my running: “Women’s Guide to Lifting Weights”. Hopefully that counts :).
“Advanced Marathoning” by Pete Pfitzinger and Scott Douglas. It seems to answer every question I can come up with!
The only book I’ve read is Kara Goucher’s “Running For Women”, which I loved!
I follow on Twitter – @CompilationTape
I also love Kara Goucher’s Running for Women! I already follow you on twitter and just sent you an awesome picture of my bum foot, running injury…boo! Stupid metatarsal fracture, blah! I also rarely have time to read but given my current state, I will be spending a lot of time on the couch.
Don’t enter me because I’ve read it, but, listen to this. So, my parents grew up in Alabama and the pediatrician in Montgomery that everyone went to told parents not to let kids wear shoes because it would strengthen their feet. The tradition sort of stayed on through the years as, when we lived in Montgomery, we went to church with no shoes on (we wore shoes other places though). I thought it was really strange and kooky until I read Born To Run….maybe that ol’ doc was right!
My friend has been trying to get me to read this. We’ll see! Haha.
And I followed you on twitter 🙂
Marybeth
i absolutely love bart yasso’s my life on the run. i have read it many times, and everytime i just wish i could spend my life running races around the world like him.
I think my all time favorite running book has to be Ultramarathon Man by Dean Karnazes. This was the first book I read about running and it really inspired me. I wanted to run all night just like him!
I love Marathon Method by Tom Holland!
I followed you on Twitter!!
Followed you on Twitter!
Is it bad that I really find Four Months to a Four Hour Marathon useful? Super basic but surprisingly packed with information!
They’ve both been said already, but my favorites are: “Advanced Marathoning” by Pfitzinger and Douglas (I think I even checked it out b/c of YOUR recommendation here!), as well as “Ultramarathon Man” by Karnazes. Can’t wait to check out Born to Run!
The type of physician I would like to work for is a Pediatrician. Pediatrician’s sptcialey is to work with children. I have been working with children for a long time mainly because I work at a daycare facility. I’ve got to a point where I feel like I can handle anything that will come my way with them. It would also leave me feeling good at the end of the day to know that I have helped in some way to make a child feel better.The type of physician I would not care to work for is a Epidemiologist. Epidemiologist’s specialize in epidemics caused by infections agents and also work with sexually transmitted diseases. I feel if I were to work in this type of sptcialey I would be putting my self at risk of exposure to these infectious agents. Also I would be focusing a lot of my time on trying to not get infected instead of having a steady mind on what I was actually supposed to be doing.
Once A Runner by John L. Parker, Jr. is a fantastic book! And I follow you on Twitter.
Once a Runner is my all time favorite running book by far! Its a fictional book but puts you into the head of a competitive runner and you can relate to so many of the thoughts. It is very motivational and just makes me want to go out to run and push myself as hard as I can to get better.
I don’t have a favorite running book, but I’m dying to read Born to Run!
I LOVED this book! I have also been a forefoot runner and always thought I ran the wrong way. When I read this book it felt like someone was telling me I didn’t have to try to be something else anymore.
That said, I actually don’t think forefoot running is for everyone. I think it puts less strain on some joints, tissues and muscles and more strain on others. Maybe there’s a bunch of foot and knee injuries now because most people heel strike. But I’m convinced we’ll be talking about all the shin splints and running-related achilles injuries in 10 years if everyone goes and starts running on their forefeet. No matter what form you use, injury prevention is all about not biting off more than you can really chew, right?
Anyway, I could see how the book might be annoying for someone else because it is pretty one-sided.