Book Review - Born To Run (Christopher McDougall)

I bought this book after catching an interview with the author on Radio 4 (I am an intellectual, honest guv') and was curious enough to purchase a copy for my holiday reading.

The book tells the story of a frequently injured runner (the author) who discovers through research that less is more if you don't want to get injured. Not less miles as you might think, but less cushioning in your shoes. The research leads him to the ultra-running (100+ mile off-road) scene, and some of the colourful characters within, but more specifically it leads him to the greatest ultra-runners of all, the Tarahumara tribe who hide away in the Copper Canyons in Mexico. The Tarahumara seem at first to be a tribe of super-humans, capable of running distances that seem impossible, but the book presents scientific research (in a friendly manner) which explains that running is something we were all born to do. In fact humans are the greatest running animals on the planet.

All you need to do is throw away your expensive Nike shoes and go barefoot (or almost). It was an interesting read from cover to cover, even if the author did come across as a bit pompous in my opinion.

A recommended read! 

More sports books worth reading

Gareth reminded me of another book I liked, and made a further suggestion. Here is a short run-down.

Running Free
By Sebastian Coe. For anyone who thinks ability and success is all natural (Gareth)
p.s. This seems to be a bit difficult to find now (Chris)

Put Me Back on My Bike: In Search of Tom Simpson
Chronicling the career of whom many regard as Britains greatest ever road cyclist, from his humble beginnings to his untimely death in the 1967 Tour de France. It's a moving story, I'll say no more than that. All cyclists should read it. There is also a documentary film based on the book that appears from time to time, watch out for it during July when the TdF is on TV.

In Search of Robert Millar: Unravelling the Mystery Surrounding Britain's Most Successful Tour De France Cyclist
The story of Rober Millar, ledgendary Scottish cyclist and winner of the Polka Dot Jersey (best climber) in the Tour de France. Robert ended his career and mysteriously disappeared from public. The book chronicles his cycling career, and goes out to track him down.

Book review - Dwain Chambers

Dwain Chambers - Race Against Me: My Story

I bought this book because I had a strong feeling that Dwain had been victimised. I don't condone his taking drugs in the first place, but he was punished with a two year ban, and by my mind, that should have been it. However, the media and athletics authorities just don't seem to let it rest. I mean, even convicted murderers get released from prison for goodness sake!

I was a little disappointed when I got the book, at the size of the print. In fact was wondering if I'd bought the visually impaired version by mistake, as the print was almost as big as one of those Ladybird books we used to read as kids. It got me off to a bad start, as I had a feeling I was being ripped-off, since there were only around 250 pages, and I reckon that with a sensible print size it would be less than half that.

The book itself is a little disjointed, and flits around quite a bit, and there is some "padding" in there too. Most of it discusses how he got into the drugs thing in the 1st instance, the accusations, and the aftermath. I'd like to have read a bit more about him in the early years as a junior etc.

However, it left me with even more of a feeling that he has indeed been victimised, and some of the well known public figures he quotes in the book come across as two-faced bigots. Quite amazing what he has had to go through (still is).

Personally I hope it all works out for him, and that he's allowed to get something out of what remains of his career in athletics.

Favourite Sport-Related Books

As a diversion from endless race reports, I thought I'd kick off another thread to the blog, so here goes...

These are a few of the best sports-related books I've read, in no particular order. Clicking the titles will take you to Amazon where you can read some proper reviews, or buy the book. Does anyone else have any recommendations?

Can You Make a Living Doing That?: The True-life Adventures of a Professional Triathlete

This book is written by ex-pro triathlete Brad Kearns. It's an account of his career from joining the pro-ranks through to throwing in the towel at the end. Brad is a real character, and the book is both funny and enlightening. His unconventional views on training really struck a chord with me, and some of the stories had me laughing out loud.

Rough Ride

This book is written by Irish ex-pro cyclist Paul Kimmage (I believe he has a column in one of the broadsheets now), and he tells the warts-and-all story of what it's like to be a pro cyclist at the middle to back end of the professional peloton, exposing the pressure cyclists are under from management and sponsors alike to succumb to taking drugs. I defy anyone to read this book without concluding that pro cycling is the toughest sport out there!

Feet in the Clouds: A Story of Fell Running and Obsession<

The only book I know about Fell Running, and as such an obligatory read for fell runners. It'a about one mans obsession with the Bob Graham round. It gives a lot of information about the history of Fell Running in this country, and about the top runners past and present. The author, Richard Askwith, would probably describe himself as a middle-of-the-pack standard, although I've seen his name in the results in a few races, and I'd say he was better than that. I know Steve Moss has competed in the same races as the author and they were not far apart in the result I saw.

It's Not About the Bike: My Journey Back to Life

Lance Armstrong's story about his fight against cancer. It's totally inspirational, the guy is absolutely driven. I came away from reading this book with a huge respect for Lance, although he never came across as being particularly likeable character in my eyes. Still, if you have any doubts about what can be achieved in the face of adversity, then this is bound to make you think again. The sequel to this book (every second counts) was pretty dismal reading.

Touching the Void

Sheffield climber Joe Simpsons book about how he survived a climbing disaster in the Peruvian Andes. To call this a near death experience would be doing it an injustice, he was a hairs breadth away from death. It's a really moving story, and one that has since been made into a documentary style film. The film was good, but the book is better.

Survival of the Fittest: Anatomy of Peak Physical Performance

Dr Mike Stroud, probably best known now for his 7 Marathons on 7 continents in 7 days with Sir Ranulph Fiennes. Examines the effect on the human body whilst taking part in extreme events. He switches between an account of the event (in which he is himself is taking part) and the medical parts. The evnts themselves include such things as the Marathon de Sables, Antarctic Crossings, Adventure races in South America, and even the London Marathon. Really interesting stuff.

The Escape Artist: Life from the Saddle

A very moving, human story about a passionate amateur cyclist, who's world is turned upside down when his wife develops a terminal illness. I like this book, because the author is very much an amateur, like all of us, with the same training obsessions etc. and it shows how fragile we all are. A bit glum, but a great read.

The Flying Scotsman: The Graeme Obree Story

The now well known story of the maveric Scottish cyclist, and manic depressive Graeme Obree, and how he because world pursuit champion, and twice holder of "the hour" record, which used to be the holy grail of cycling. The story is a mix of tragedy and comedy in equal measures, and has now been made into a film, but again, the book is better.

the rider

This is a bit different, it's actually a short novel written from the perspective of a cyclist taking part in a cycle race. It's complete fiction, but captures the sort of thoughts that go through your mind when racing. A bit hard to describe really, but I did like it a lot.

More are cycling related than running, but running books seem to be thin on the ground, and have a tendency to be rubbish when you do find one (yes I have read Paula Radcliffe's biography).
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