The quintessential running book from 2009, that all runners know and love (and that I, a runner, had never heard of until my girlfriend told me about it this year). Well, now I get to be part of the club. And, I actually read it, not listened to it, which is a first this year (and the first in a while to be honest). I really enjoyed it, from the larger story arc of the Tarahumara running tribe, to the deep dives on biomechanics and anthropology, the historical nods to places and events I am familiar with, and the mystery and adventure.
One of the interesting things I, a Born to Run late-comer, found especially interesting was reading online now the impact this book had on the running world at the time of its release. It kicked off a barefoot running craze, and spurred the creation of a number of shoe companies aiming to mimic the sandals of the tribe (granted, some of these had already been started, one of the biggest by a main character from the book). I found myself trying to follow up with all the participants in the titular Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen, to see what they were up to now. And having spent a number of years up in Leadville for a weekend around the 100 mile mountain bike race, and hearing Ken Chlouber talk in person, that section of the book gave me an extra interest in the story.
I must admit, I went and bought myself of barefoot/minimalist shoes, and feel inspired to start running again and experiment with natural diets (have I done either of those last 2 things? no, but I'm inspired to and that's like half the battle). Anyways, it was a compelling read, I enjoyed the writing style and found myself hooked to it. One of those stories that feels like fiction, and I'm so glad was able to be captured in this way.
Parting Thoughts
I mean, there's only really one way to go...
