Recommended Reading: Born to Run

In Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and The Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen, Christopher McDougall combines storytelling and research on our evolution as humans to remind us that we were all Born to Run.

Running, and endurance exercise in general, is often considered difficult and unpleasant. Despite this reputation, ultramarathons and other long-form racing is exploding in popularity.

McDougall tells the story of how the Tarahumara, a secluded tribe in Mexico, disrupted the modern ultramarathon circuit and inspired him to go on a mission to bring the ultramarathon to them. Luckily for him, he wasn't the only one. The mysterious Cabello Blanco helped him convince the worlds best ultramarathoners to trek to the secluded home of the Tarahumara and bring the race to them.

Along the way, he weaves in research on how humans uniquely evolved to run long distances, the story of the Tarahumara athletes, and an early (the book was originally published in 2011) stab at why running injuries are so prevalent today and how being barefoot more could help prevent them.

McDougall himself stops short of fully endorsing the barefoot running trends of the time, but makes a compelling case for keeping our feet strong just like the rest of our bodies.

No matter your affinity for running, or lack there of, it's an enjoyable read from start to finish!

If you're interested in reading Born to Run, you can get it at your local library/Libby app, or purchase it via my affiliate link at Bookshop, where you can not only support me but support local bookstores with your purchase!