The book is nonfiction, so there are not very many literary devices. However, there is imagery describing how the Taramuhara live and how they win the greatest race humans have ever seen.
"'My life is a controlled explosion'"-Barefoot Ted (McDougall 151) This is metaphor.
"Kangoos are basically Rollerblades as designed by Wile E. Coyonte: instead of wheels, each boot sits atop a full-length steel-spring suspension that lets you boing along like you're in a moon bounce" (McDougall 155). This is another metaphor
"Covering your feet with cushioned shoes is like turning off your smoke alarms" (McDougall 157). This is a simile.
Monday, May 16, 2011
important excerpt fron "Born to Run"
In terms of stress relief and sensual pleasure, running is what you have in your life before you have sex. The equipment and desire come factory installed; all you have to do is let ‘er rip and hang on for the ride. p. 12
That was the real secret of the Tarahumara: they’d never forgotten what it felt like to love running. They remembered that running was mankind’s first fine art, our original act of inspired creation. Way before we were scratching pictures on caves or beating rhythms on hollow trees, we were perfecting the art of combining our breath and mind and muscles into fluid self-propulsion over wild terrain. p. 92
Taken on May 17th, 2011 at 9:00 PM from http://www.madcitygirl.com/2010/01/favorite-quotes-from-born-to-run/
That was the real secret of the Tarahumara: they’d never forgotten what it felt like to love running. They remembered that running was mankind’s first fine art, our original act of inspired creation. Way before we were scratching pictures on caves or beating rhythms on hollow trees, we were perfecting the art of combining our breath and mind and muscles into fluid self-propulsion over wild terrain. p. 92
Taken on May 17th, 2011 at 9:00 PM from http://www.madcitygirl.com/2010/01/favorite-quotes-from-born-to-run/
Thursday, May 12, 2011
characters
Chris McDougall-author of "Born to Run" and advocate/researcher for barefoot running.
Ann-ultrarunner who nearly wins Leadville 100M before Micah True comes up and beats her.
Victoriano: Taramuhara Indian who represents Taramuhara running
Micah True- Taramuhara runner and chief.
Ken Chlouber- founder of Leadville 100M
Barefoot Ted- endurance athlete who learns the magical secret of barefoot running when he realizes that he feels no back pain when barefoot (pages 150-157)
Ann-ultrarunner who nearly wins Leadville 100M before Micah True comes up and beats her.
Victoriano: Taramuhara Indian who represents Taramuhara running
Micah True- Taramuhara runner and chief.
Ken Chlouber- founder of Leadville 100M
Barefoot Ted- endurance athlete who learns the magical secret of barefoot running when he realizes that he feels no back pain when barefoot (pages 150-157)
Monday, May 2, 2011
Important Quotes
Yeah, Leadville was a tough place... Full of tough men and even tougher women... (McDougall 59. The Leadville 100 mile trail run is one of the toughest races in the world, and very few people actually finish. The book makes a point about how in shorter events men usually dominate over the women, but in ultrarunning the women have potential to win it all.
To get a sense of what he [Ken Chlouber] came up with, try running the Boston Marathon two times in a row with a sock stuffed in your mouth and then hike up to Pikes Peak...Now do it all again, this time with your eyes closed (McDougall 60).
Here, McDouguall is describing the true rigor of ultrarunning, with its relentless climbs, steep descents, terrain, and altitude. All this takes an unspeakable toll on the runner.
"A runner's only hope of surviving Badwater was to have an experienced crew monitering his vitals and supplying digestible calories and electrolyte drinks" (McDougall 127). Here, Chris McDgougall is discussing the Badwater Ultramarathon, pehaps the single most difficult race known to man. It is a 135 mile death march (read: suicide attempt) through Death Valley, in July, when the temps easily go well beyond 100 degrees F.
"Vigils' notion of character wasn't toughness. It was compassion. Kindness. Love" (McDougall 92). This refers to a running coach with the last name of Vigil. His belief is that character was decided by compassion and kidness (interdisciplinary connection with Rachel's Challenge) rather than pure toughtness.
"Deny your nature, and it will erupt in some other, uglier way (McDougall 99). Here, Chris McDougall is talking about how we stopped running for fun and made it more of a chore. In doing this, we denied what we really are and it has erupted in the ugly image of extreme obesity in America.
To get a sense of what he [Ken Chlouber] came up with, try running the Boston Marathon two times in a row with a sock stuffed in your mouth and then hike up to Pikes Peak...Now do it all again, this time with your eyes closed (McDougall 60).
Here, McDouguall is describing the true rigor of ultrarunning, with its relentless climbs, steep descents, terrain, and altitude. All this takes an unspeakable toll on the runner.
"A runner's only hope of surviving Badwater was to have an experienced crew monitering his vitals and supplying digestible calories and electrolyte drinks" (McDougall 127). Here, Chris McDgougall is discussing the Badwater Ultramarathon, pehaps the single most difficult race known to man. It is a 135 mile death march (read: suicide attempt) through Death Valley, in July, when the temps easily go well beyond 100 degrees F.
"Vigils' notion of character wasn't toughness. It was compassion. Kindness. Love" (McDougall 92). This refers to a running coach with the last name of Vigil. His belief is that character was decided by compassion and kidness (interdisciplinary connection with Rachel's Challenge) rather than pure toughtness.
"Deny your nature, and it will erupt in some other, uglier way (McDougall 99). Here, Chris McDougall is talking about how we stopped running for fun and made it more of a chore. In doing this, we denied what we really are and it has erupted in the ugly image of extreme obesity in America.
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