BORN TO RUN by Christoper McDougall is indeed a reader’s treat. The author tries to unearth evidences that fully and perfectly substantiate the claim held dear by the title of his book. And this he does
nicely - readers inevitably are drawn into the spell of a great story teller in him.
Beginning with the search for a super-athlete tribe, the Tarahumara, in the deep canyons of Mexico, the running takes the reader on a roundabout trip to places and facts that thoroughly convinces and impresses upon that ultimate truth: We, the homo-sapiens, were born runners – ultra marathon runners. Running survived us from the odds that erased from the face of earth our unbeatable strong competitors – The Neanderthal. We got our big brains, science, logic, arithmetic, medicine etc… from the simple act of running. When we were natural runners & running “naturally”, we knew not any human ailments or diseases that we know today.
Besides re-introducing the art and science of long-distance running to its obvious masters but oblivious custodians, the author does a kudos-earning job in exposing a few fads that we have unnecessarily picked-up whilst the last five decades. Sporting the so called “running shoes”, much to the discomfort of our sophisticated, God-given “wonder limb” - foot, using the so-called sunscreen lotions, when the hard scientific fact is that there isn’t a lotion or cream that protects your skin from harmful sun-rays, if any etc… are but a few samples.
The real world out there is not as “cool” as it is made out to be by the world of business, finance and money. “Less is more” rings the wake-up call. A feeling of getting back to basics sinks all its fangs firmly into reasoned mind, if you can afford one. Idea of rethinking your civilization gains currency in you.
Plot is intelligent, narration informal and indigenous, experience exhilarating. I surely would go back for a second-round soon.
I think that is a very good reason to start a blog and also a very articulate introduction to your own.
ReplyDeleteTo be fair starting simply out of personal curiosity as to how blogging works, and all that it entails, is hardly an ego-trip. That first post is probably the hardest to do. Queries can raise tricky points too but with practice it becomes easier.
I say this because you seem to have started out in much the same way that I did. I just fancied writing about something close to me (I chose music) and whether anyone read it, other than by some mishap of their own making came across it and maybe you did too, never really crossed my mind. If you fall in that category then please accept my apology for you are not the only one.
The stranger thing is that some folks actually like it (and blogging)...
I can also see why you are loath to let your personal reflections play too large a part in what you post but having opinions is no bad thing; something of a necessity if you want to connect with an audience that, inevitably, at times will disagree with you.
That's quite natural but in time, as concerns music and the wider thoughts and reflections that inevitably go with it, I have become less consciously guarded. I have never (yet) been abused for what I have written but on the other hand I have met several people (face-to-face) and the first time this happened was when at a festival in 2009. I made a comment in reply to something that we (strangers before this moment) were discussing over a beer...
The reply was, "Do you write some blog?"
To which I said "yes". Long pause...
"'Thoughts On Music', not that you are likely to have read it." I proffered.
Embarrassment was transferred and the ice was then broken... we all got on fine after that. It was no big deal all round but I think that they found it far more awkward than I did simply because they raised the subject as a rhetorical question.
Had some strangers, even such non-threatening ones, simply asked "Are you Richard Greenhalgh who blogs 'Thoughts On Music'?" then I would have been rather taken aback (and inordinately flattered too). I think that I would probably have said yes and that now I would now have the confidence to say "yes" without a second thought and ask what they thought, thus transferring responsibility for the next question to my inquisitioner, while ready to defend my own point of view.
Fortune favours the brave and the wise.
Sir congratulations. Blogging space is going to see the finest writing. In fact, my jealous towards your writing ability has compounded after reading this. As, I observed,your comprehending ability and smooth transition from book to -what you wanted to reflect- is superb.
ReplyDeleteWith respect to subject matter: After coming out of hospital, I have become ineligible to speak on that. Even, if I dare to; I will not be able to bear your wrath. So I am guarding myself!
Please one request: Don't stop reflecting yourself in this space. If you reflect- I am going to be the first reader of all your reflections. Its my promise and keep writing.....
All the best...