The best book I’ve read in the last two years. Maybe ever. Reading this book changed my life. I lost weight – oddly, not due to running. I’m not even that into running! But I am into this book and would recommend that other non-runners read it too.
What is it about?
Life, the universe and everything. It’s about how humans are suffering because we have a body that is built for endurance and a mind that is designed for efficiency. We need to move, but we’ve made the most comfortable sofas now, and there’s Netflix … so, we don’t.
“Every morning in Africa, a gazelle wakes up, it knows it must outrun the fastest lion or it will be killed. Every morning in Africa, a lion wakes up. It knows it must run faster than the slowest gazelle, or it will starve. It doesn’t matter whether you’re the lion or a gazelle-when the sun comes up, you’d better be running.”
– Christopher McDougall Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen
It’s full of fascinating observations, and might make you see the world and yourself differently. It taps into how we are impacted by the success of human ingenuity (shoes, transport, etc.). A journey of discovery through human history.
“There’s something so universal about that sensation, the way running unites our two most primal impulses: fear and pleasure. We run when we’re scared, we run when we’re ecstatic, we run away from our problems and run around for a good time.”
– Christopher McDougall Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen
Its an adventure. People running across the desert. Drug-dealers and near-death experiences.
And if nothing else, its a damn good read. So just read it, and see which bits resonate for you.
“Make friends with pain, and you will never be alone.~Ken Chlouber, Colorado miner and creator of the Leadville Trail 100 mile race”
– Christopher McDougall Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen
Who is this book for?
People looking for a really good story that dips in and out our reason for existing as humans and provides deep insights into life. Humans looking for answers to our problems. Anyone who is curious about living well.
Oh, and runners, might like it too.
“You don’t stop running because you get old, you get old because you stop running.”
– Christopher McDougall Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen
Two Clicks Psychological Services is the website of Dr Laura Walton, a UK registered Clinical Psychologist who is qualified to provide consultation and psychological therapy, via online videocall. For more details, visit the main page and make a request.
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