Saw this book on Runners World, the respect for this writer and runner is impressive. Written by Dr. George Sheehan, his collection of writing about running is going to be a goal of mine to go through them all, besides this book he has written 7 other books. This book was originally published in 1978. What caught me about this book is how educated this man is, and I wouldn't expect anything less coming from a Dr., he relates to various other writing artists using quotes from them to back-up his points. He makes sense of running, as I read this I find myself agreeing with him "yes! that's why I run to!" and disagree when he writes on topics about calling distance running as a selfish sport and how basically he relies on others to help him in his day and strict running schedule. As a female who does everything for me and my man and still finds time to run...I don't agree. I would love it if I had my clothes cleaned and prepared for my run and meals prepped!! wow!!
I found what he writes on Dr. William Sheldon about how mankind is divided into 3 races as informative and also frustrating. Quoting this man on how people are genetically created to be certain things and by realizing that you can live life to its fullest in your designated group. So someone in the athletic race the muscular mesomorphs can't become a talker or thinker? Something in me just rises up against all this grouping and yells "you can't tell me what i can and can't do!!!"
But what I do really enjoy about his book is how he explains how the body naturally can be this or that, hoe our bodies are naturally born to be active. He makes sense of why diet and why give-up drinking and smoking and bad foods, that you don't quit smoking to run but you run and then quit smoking to run more.
How to be a better thinker your body also needs to be better and to never trust a thought sitting down. I love that line and completely agree with it, when i'm running my mind is at it's best. it seems to detox itself of all the little and big worries and stresses that give me headaches and make me go crazy. How many times do you find yourself cleaning and moving and at the same time your mind is going a mile a minute.
If you are looking for a book about running to make you think, make you mad and want to argue and then instantly be shut-up and proven wrong while gaining respect for a man you don't know, who wouldn't want to know you, but you want to know him. Then read this book. I really do recommend it! It's a nice break from allot of other books on running that can be redundant in context.
I found what he writes on Dr. William Sheldon about how mankind is divided into 3 races as informative and also frustrating. Quoting this man on how people are genetically created to be certain things and by realizing that you can live life to its fullest in your designated group. So someone in the athletic race the muscular mesomorphs can't become a talker or thinker? Something in me just rises up against all this grouping and yells "you can't tell me what i can and can't do!!!"
But what I do really enjoy about his book is how he explains how the body naturally can be this or that, hoe our bodies are naturally born to be active. He makes sense of why diet and why give-up drinking and smoking and bad foods, that you don't quit smoking to run but you run and then quit smoking to run more.
How to be a better thinker your body also needs to be better and to never trust a thought sitting down. I love that line and completely agree with it, when i'm running my mind is at it's best. it seems to detox itself of all the little and big worries and stresses that give me headaches and make me go crazy. How many times do you find yourself cleaning and moving and at the same time your mind is going a mile a minute.
If you are looking for a book about running to make you think, make you mad and want to argue and then instantly be shut-up and proven wrong while gaining respect for a man you don't know, who wouldn't want to know you, but you want to know him. Then read this book. I really do recommend it! It's a nice break from allot of other books on running that can be redundant in context.