Lockdown 2020 Reviews: March - Books

Books – in order of reading:     

Born to Run (2009) – Christopher McDougal 

I find it hard to justify capturing a positive snapshot of this text due to the sloppy, bad reportage-style of writing and the casual sexism it contains. However, there are also some great things about this book which make it worthwhile. The first being the inherently interesting, true-story journey the author undertakes in order to write it. Secondly, the said journey puts one in a zone of wanting to break into a regular running routine just for the pure joy and bliss of it. Thirdly, it thrust into the mainstream the research conducted on sports injuries that show that the expensive running shoes that we have become accustomed to buying are completely pointless. Information that we the consumer should be aware of before spending sometimes up to $AUD300 + on something that we are told is absolutely vital to our engagement in fitness but could actually be doing us harm. As this is a text about why humans are indeed, born to run, I think this is a good book to read for the first time regardless of your life circumstances and a good book to read a second, third, fourth etc time when one finds themselves in a health and wellness slump and in need of inspiration and resurrection. 3.5/5 stars.

·      Finding Ultra (2018) – Rich Roll

Another text which sheds light on the value of health and fitness, this is a first-person account of a young swimmer turned alcoholic lawyer turned late- in- life ultra-endurance athlete. In this book, the author lives out his personal mantra, which is “when your heart is true and you are doing what you believe in, the universe will conspire to support you.” Naturally, it goes without saying that this is another inspiring and uplifting read which I recommend during these trying times of crisis . 4.5/5 stars.