The Secrets of the Tarahumara: A Review of Born to Run by Christopher McDougall
Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen by Christopher McDougall
Have you ever wondered how some people can run for hours without getting tired? How some tribes can live in harmony with nature and run barefoot across mountains and deserts? How some runners can overcome incredible challenges and achieve amazing feats of endurance?
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If you have, then you might be interested in reading Born to Run, a bestselling book by Christopher McDougall that explores the secrets of the world's greatest runners. In this article, we will give you a brief overview of what Born to Run is about, who Christopher McDougall is, why you should read Born to Run, and a summary of the main points and lessons of the book. We will also provide you with some FAQs and a custom message at the end.
Introduction
What is Born to Run about?
Born to Run is a nonfiction book that tells the story of a group of ultrarunners who travel to Mexico to participate in a race with the Tarahumara, a native tribe that lives in the Copper Canyons and is renowned for their ability to run long distances without shoes or modern equipment. Along the way, McDougall uncovers the secrets of the Tarahumara's running culture, their diet, their lifestyle, their history, and their philosophy. He also explores the science behind running, the evolution of human endurance, the benefits of barefoot running, and the potential of human performance.
Who is Christopher McDougall?
Christopher McDougall is an American journalist, author, and runner. He was born in 1962 and graduated from Harvard University. He worked as a foreign correspondent for the Associated Press and wrote for various magazines such as Esquire, Men's Health, Outside, and Runner's World. He is also an avid runner who has competed in several marathons and ultramarathons. He lives in Pennsylvania with his wife and two daughters.
Why should you read Born to Run?
You should read Born to Run if you are interested in any of the following topics:
Running and fitness
Nature and adventure
Culture and history
Science and evolution
Philosophy and spirituality
Born to Run is a book that will inspire you, entertain you, educate you, and challenge you. It will make you rethink your assumptions about running, health, happiness, and human potential. It will also make you want to lace up your shoes and hit the trails.
Summary of Born to Run
Part 1: The Mystery of the Tarahumara
Chapter 1: The Fastest People on Earth
The book begins with McDougall's personal quest to find out why he suffers from chronic foot injuries despite following the advice of experts and wearing expensive running shoes. He decides to seek out a mysterious figure named Caballo Blanco, who claims to know the secrets of the Tarahumara, a tribe of superathletes who live in the remote Copper Canyons of Mexico. McDougall travels to El Paso, Texas, where he meets Luis Escobar, a photographer and ultrarunner who has met Caballo Blanco and knows how to contact him.
Chapter 2: Caballo Blanco
McDougall and Escobar manage to get in touch with Caballo Blanco, whose real name is Micah True. They learn that he is a former boxer and adventurer who moved to Mexico in the 1990s and became fascinated by the Tarahumara. He adopted their lifestyle and learned their language. He also organized an annual race in the Copper Canyons to bring together the Tarahumara and the outside world. He invites McDougall and Escobar to join him in the next race, which will take place in a few months.
Chapter 3: The Running People
McDougall and Escobar accept Caballo Blanco's invitation and fly to Creel, a town near the Copper Canyons. There, they meet some of the Tarahumara runners who will participate in the race. They are amazed by their physical appearance, their endurance, their speed, and their simplicity. They wear sandals made of old tires, colorful skirts, and shirts. They eat mostly corn, beans, squash, and chia seeds. They drink homemade beer called tesgüino. They run for fun, for hunting, for transportation, and for ritual. They are known as the Rarámuri, which means "the running people" in their language.
Part 2: The Secret of the Tarahumara
Chapter 4: The Machine
The book shifts to the story of another group of ultrarunners who will join the race in the Copper Canyons. They are led by Scott Jurek, a legendary runner who has won multiple ultramarathons and set several world records. He is known as "the Machine" for his incredible stamina and consistency. He is also a vegan who follows a strict diet and training regimen. He is motivated by his passion for running and his desire to push his limits.
Chapter 5: The Bonehead
The book introduces another character who will play a key role in the race: Jenn Shelton, a young and rebellious runner who loves to run fast and party hard. She is known as "the Bonehead" for her reckless attitude and her tendency to get into trouble. She is also a talented runner who has broken several records and won several races. She is motivated by her love for adventure and her disdain for authority.
Chapter 6: The Art of Not Working
The book returns to McDougall's journey in Mexico with Caballo Blanco and Escobar. They travel deeper into the Copper Canyons, where they encounter more Tarahumara runners and learn more about their culture. They discover that the Tarahumara have a unique way of living that allows them to avoid many of the problems that plague modern society, such as stress, disease, violence, poverty, and boredom. They practice what McDougall calls "the art of not working", which means that they do not have fixed jobs or schedules, but rather engage in activities that they enjoy and that benefit their community. They also have a strong sense of cooperation, generosity, harmony, and spirituality.
Part 3: The Science of the Tarahumara
Chapter 7: Born to Run
How can we apply Born to Run to our lives?
We can apply Born to Run to our lives in many ways, such as:
We can run more often and more naturally, without shoes or with minimalist footwear.
We can eat more plant-based and whole foods, such as corn, beans, squash, and chia seeds.
We can practice the art of not working, by doing activities that we enjoy and that benefit our community.
We can cooperate and care more for others, by sharing our resources and helping those in need.
We can smile and laugh more while running and in life, by finding joy and fun in everything we do.
By applying these principles, we can become happier, healthier, stronger, and faster. We can also become more connected to ourselves, to others, and to nature. We can also discover our true potential and purpose. We can also realize that we are all born to run.
FAQs
Where can I get a copy of Born to Run?
You can get a copy of Born to Run from various online and offline sources. Some of the popular ones are:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Born-Run-Hidden-Superathletes-Greatest/dp/0307279189
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/born-to-run-christopher-mcdougall/1100163370
Audible: https://www.audible.com/pd/Born-to-Run-Audiobook/B002V8KSXO
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6289283-born-to-run
Is Born to Run a true story?
Born to Run is based on a true story. The events, characters, places, and facts described in the book are real and accurate. However, some of the details and dialogues may have been embellished or fictionalized by the author for literary purposes. The author also acknowledges that he may have made some errors or omissions in his research and reporting. Therefore, Born to Run should be read as a work of creative nonfiction rather than a strict historical account.
Who are the Tarahumara?
The Tarahumara are an indigenous tribe that lives in the Copper Canyons of Mexico. They are also known as the Rarámuri, which means "the running people" in their language. They are famous for their ability to run long distances without shoes or modern equipment. They have a unique culture that values simplicity, harmony, generosity, and spirituality. They have a rich history that spans centuries and includes resistance, adaptation, and survival.
What is an ultramarathon?
An ultramarathon is a running event that is longer than a standard marathon of 26.2 miles (42.2 kilometers). There are different types and formats of ultramarathons, such as trail or road, loop or point-to-point, timed or distance-based. Some of the common distances for ultramarathons are 50 kilometers (31 miles), 100 kilometers (62 miles), 50 miles (80 kilometers), 100 miles (160 kilometers), and 24 hours. Some of the famous ultramarathons are the Western States 100, the Badwater 135, the Leadville 100, the Spartathlon, and the Barkley Marathons.
What is barefoot running?
Barefoot running is a form of running that involves running without shoes or with minimal footwear that provides little or no cushioning or support. Barefoot running is based on the premise that humans are naturally adapted to run barefoot and that modern running shoes interfere with the natural biomechanics and physiology of running. Barefoot running advocates claim that barefoot running improves the form, posture, strength, efficiency, and health of runners. Barefoot running also enhances the sensory feedback and awareness of runners.
Thank you for reading this article. I hope you enjoyed it and learned something from it. If you have any questions or comments about Born to Run, please feel free to contact me. I would love to hear from you. Happy running! 71b2f0854b