Born to Run by Christopher McDougall
Through my daughter I received a suggestion to read McDougall’s journey into ultra-marathon running. 20 pages later I was hooked on the story; by the end of the book I am tempted to try wearing bare foot running shoes. For 30 years I have run 2 or 3 times a week, 3-8 miles on the average, on sidewalks or pavement. When combined with the hills of Endicott, my workout enables me to release the stress that accompanies my teaching/administrative job.
Reading the book coincided with the longest, non-running stretch of those 30 years, 8 weeks and counting.Perhaps it’s time for a change; thus my interest in keeping the well padded new balance’s on the shelf, while trying out the letting feet be feet shoes.
Of course, the book concerned a race, a 50 miler in the hills of Mexico’s copper canyon. Scary what these people do as they race along, forever and ever, in the bleakest terrain. I may dream of that, but give me a sidewalk any day. Rain or shine, cold or hot, it’s just fun to rack up another mile, another wave to a passer-by, another almost accident. Teaching drivers to look both ways prior to pulling out is a, somewhat hazardous, goal that I have set for myself. Non-racing runners, like myself, would enjoy this fascinating read.
