Born to Run

Someone was recently seeking motivation to run, and I told them to look no further than Born to Run by Christopher McDougall.

It inspired me to cue it up on Audible, it’s my third time reading/listening to it, and I’ve got to say, it’s an awesome book.

I first read it in 2010 or 2011, a year or two after it came out and it inspired my dive into barefoot shoes and I bought my first (and only) pair of Vibram Five Fingers.

I forgot how much ultra running lore the book contains, and how it was my original introduction to things like the Leadville 100, Western States and The Badwater 135. Not to mention the interesting people, the likes of Scott Jurek, Ann Trason, Anton Krupicka, Caballo Blano, Dr. Irene Davis and Barefoot Ted. I can’t help but think about how much this shaped my interest in running years before I even sign up for my first trail run.

There’s some controversy around the book, it inspired a lot of people, like me, to ditch their shoes and go minimalist. The trouble being that their feet weren’t properly tuned up or prepared for such a drastic change.

Regardless, it’s a great read, I can’t recommend it enough. Just don’t get too inspired that you try to run a barefoot marathon today.

Justin Miner

@justinminergain

Sporting my five finger shoes 2010 or 2011 doing a 44kg get up