I shit you not readers, smash this book and I guarantee you’ll be doing back to back marathons by this time next week!
Or at the very least you’ll pop out for a quick jog and realize that you are closer to having a coronary that you thought. Either way it’s an eye opener.
The author, Christopher McDougal, takes us into Mexico the Copper Canyons where a lost tribe (the reclusive Tarahumara Indians) of elite runners feed on berries, guacamole, and some strange beer that gets them all fired up and frisky, preparing to run one many endurance ‘fuck you up beyond belief’ runs into the jungle and beyond. These guys actually enjoy running 100 miles and do it without a twitch or even a slight tingle between their toes. It takes a closer look at the Tarahumara’s diet and also the evolution of the western diet. Not surprisingly we’re all too fat (...getting fatter) and need to get moving ASAP.
The book explores this tribe and also the races they partake in over in the states against super athletes who are almost as insane as they are, tackling not only the distance of 50 – 100 miles, but also stupid terrain, crazy altitudes and temperatures, whilst having to be very aware of wild blood thirsty animals. There are (were) even comedy long races that used to be only attempted on horseback, then these nutters started pitting themselves against the actual horses and bloody won!
Our author takes us through the history of running, the hunter gather era of our past and how we used to literally run and catch our food, but at intervals of mind boggling speeds. One day you could run 20ks and the next it could be triple that, depending on how crafty and quick your meat feast happened to be. If most of us attempted that before lunch or dinner, you’d either die or not walk properly for a week, let’s be honest.
He looks at the running shoe (pointing his finger directly at Nike) and how the cushioning is now doing us more harm than good. The way that most of us run is totally wrong according to this guy and the lost running technique of bare foot running is a more sensible and practically injury free way to go about it. Take a peek at his demonstration at The New York Times head offices: http://www.chrismcdougall.com/barefoot.html
But I’ve said enough, this is a belter of a book that has a wonderful mix of humour, pure endurance tales, while bobby dazzling you with extreme running adventures that will have you worn out just by running your eyes across each page.
Born To Run? We all are apparently.
So pop a piece of loin cloth on, grab your spear and sandles and go out and catch ya dinner while purchasing this inspiring piece of sporting literature!
8 Northern ‘literature’ Thumbs out of 10.
