"Born to Run"

So last night I saw an old college friend for the first time since graduation. Ok, so maybe I use the term "old" loosely here considering I graduated like 4 months ago. But I digress...

My friend brought up this book, Born to Run by Christopher McDougall, and we then ended up in an epic discussion that lasted two hours.

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I have never read the book, but its definitely hit the to-do list after this conversation. My friend said, "This has inspired me to start running". Which is a pretty big deal considering I'm not sure if my friends has done any exercise since like high school. So that is a ringing endorsement.


Basically the book explores how human beings are meant to run. It talks about physiology, history, and such and focuses on this tribe called the Tarahumara in Mexico, who can run down deer like it's no big deal.

I can't wait to get a hold of this book for one major reason: it sounds like it preaches the exact opposite of everything I have studied and learned as an athlete for my entire life. I can't wait to see the scientific evidence that human beings are made to run, especially since I have been taught that our knee structure is slightly off, and our back/hip region skeletal framework is too weak to support crazy running.

But perhaps most significantly, I can't wait to hear about how running is what we do. My friend says the author talks about how running is supposed to connect you to the surroundings, etc., etc., and give you freedom. This is exactly how I feel! People give me crap all the time about how much I love to run, but to me it is the ultimate expression of my freedom and my humanity. It's meditative. It's my way of showcasing that I am a "homo sapiens" and a human.

I'll probably end up reading it around Thanksgiving. No pressure to my friend but I hope it is as good as I expect it to be.