Born to Run Summary – Christopher McDougall

Born to Run (2009)

A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen

by Christopher McDougall

Paperback | Ebook | Audiobook

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Born to Run Review

Born to Run is a fantastic book for anyone into human history or running.

It’s packed with fascinating insights into how running made us who we (modern humans) are and the great tips and insights into running well and avoiding injuries.

I was glad to have read it (along with 5 other books) in the run up to competing in the Marathon des Sables, a 256km ultramarathon through the Sahara (full guide and training notes).

And, as one of TAoL’s top ranked health books of all time? I can definitely recommend picking up your own copy here.

Born to Run Summary

This publisher’s blurb comes from the Profile Books paperback edition of of Born to Run

“Born to Run is an epic adventure that begins with one simple question: Why does my foot hurt? In search of an answer, Christopher McDougall sets out to find Mexico’s Tarahumara Indians, the world’s greatest distance runners, who can go for hundreds of miles without rest while enjoying every minute of it.

Running without trainers is now big news, but the Tarahumara have been doing it for centuries and reaping the benefits. McDougall tests the idea by taking us from cutting-edge Harvard science labs to the peaks and valleys where growing numbers of ultra-runners are pushing themselves to the limit. And he finds his own inner ultra-athlete when he pits himself against the tribe, who run virtually barefoot, in a breath-taking fifty-mile race through Mexico’s Copper Canyons.

A thinking exploration of mankind’s most ancient pursuit, Born to Run will make you realize that the secret to happiness could be right at your feet.”

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Read More: 5 Books Like Born to Run

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Arthur Worsley
I founded TAoL to discover and share the best wisdom on how to live long and prosper. Before that I studied Psychology, Philosophy & Physiology at Oxford and consulted at McKinsey. Still curious? Learn more or take my FREE productivity quiz.