russia has launched a full-scale war in Ukraine! Donate to the charity fund to support Ukraine and protect the world’s peace.

Support Ukraine

logo

Headway App

(81,672)

FREE - on the App Store

INSTALL NOW
library / 
book

Summary of Born to Run 

4.7 . 16721 reviews

Short summary

Extreme sports is second nature to American author and journalist, Christopher McDougall. A running enthusiast, he couldn’t help but question the logic behind the high injury rate 8 out of 10-runners suffer. His search for answers would point him in the direction of the reclusive Tarahumaras, who live high up in the remote mountains of the Barranca del Cobre in Mexico; and are famous for their ability to run 100 miles and more effortlessly and without injury; and Caballo Blanco, an American from Colorado who would befriend and live in their midst for decades, until he died. Christopher McDougall documents his odyssey in his book, “Born to Run.” It is the most riveting read.

Table of content

  • Summary of Born to Run
  • About the author
  • What is Born to Run about?
  • Who should read Born to Run
  • Topics in Born to Run
first key point

The human body, by the injury the feet suffer, seemed not to be designed to run

Listen the first key point
00:00
00:00
8 out of every 10 runners are hurt every year. Hurt here means ripped hamstrings, strained Achilles tendons, sprained ankles, aching arches, ​and the likes. No human invention has been good enough to stem the tide, not even sophisticated spring-embedded, microchip-cushioned running shoes.

Running is the fitness version of drunk driving — you might get away with it for a while and even have fun in the process, but catastrophe is always around the corner.

Quoting “Sports Injury Bulletin,” every footfall of the typical runner puts enormous strain on his or her legs — a force equal to more than twice the runner’s bodyweight. That impact load will ultimately break down anyone’s bones, cartilage, muscles, tendons, and ligaments; in the same way,​ hammering away at an apparently impenetrable rock would eventually reduce it to dust.

We have a primal attachment to running. We run when we are scared, and also when we are ecstatic. We run away from our problems and run to feel good about ourselves. And when things take a nosedive around us, we run. For example, distance running in the US skyrocketed during periods of national crisis — the Great Depression, the resistance to the Vietnam War, the Cold War, the Race Riots of the 1960s, 911.

That our feet hurt because we run doesn’t make sense. Antelopes or wild mustangs don’t get disabled by impact injuries. What are we missing here?

Christopher McDougall, the author of “Born to Run” went in search of answers amongst the Tarahumarans — a tribe reputed for their ability to run ultra distances​ without rest, and without hurt.
“Every morning in Africa, a gazelle wakes up. It knows it must outrun the fastest lion or it will be killed. Every morning in Africa, a lion wakes up. It knows it must run faster than the slowest gazelle, or it will starve. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a lion or a gazelle — when the sun comes up, you’d better be running.” ~ Roger Bannister, the first man to break the four-minute mile.
second key point

The journey into Tarahumara land is filled with natural and man-made danger

The author, accompanied by Salvador, a 33-year-old​ local who acted as a guide, embarked on a danger-filled trek into Tarahumara land; commissioned by “The Runner’s World” magazine. The quest was to reach Arnulfo Quimar, reputed to be the greatest living Tarahumaran runner ever, to pay homage and ask of him the secrets of his tribe’s ability.
book
Continue reading with Headway app
Continue reading
Full summary is waiting for you in the app
third key point

The Tarahumarans are a reserved and secretive people

fourth key point

The sportsman was the ​unwelcome guest to Anulfo Quimar’s residence up in the mountains of the Copper Canyons

fifth key point

Caballo Blanco, also known as The White Horse, is a native American of Colorado who endeared himself to the Tarahumarans by adopting their way of life

sixth key point

Caballo Blanco had a story to tell

seventh key point

The secrets of the Tarahumarans are a collection of simple, commonsensical rules every human can live by​

eighth key point

Running shoes are the most destructive force ever to hit the human foot

ninth key point

Conclusion

Buy full book on AmazonContinue the summary

What is Born to Run about?

Who should read Born to Run

book
book

Enjoy summarized nonfiction bestsellers

Grasp the book’s key ideas in less than 15 minutes

Get started

Get new knowledge easily

Let’s check how many titles you can finish in a month with Headway! Tell us how much time you’d like to spend on reading:

2 min/day
5 min/day
10 min/day
15 min/day
20 min/day
30 min/day
45 min/day
4 titles/month
10 titles/month
20 titles/month
30 titles/month
40 titles/month
60 titles/month
90 titles/month
image
image
image
image
image
image
image
image
image
image
image
image
image
image
image
image
image
4 titles/month
10 titles/month
20 titles/month
30 titles/month
40 titles/month
60 titles/month
90 titles/month
image
image
image
image
image
image
image
image
image
image
image
image
image
image
image
image
image
image

Join 30+ million learners around the world

60K5 reviews on App Store and Google Play
icon

Everything you need to be motivate, to learn & to self improves is all here. I actually do appreciate the reminders because otherwise this wouldn’t work for me. Thank you

icon

sandypantalones

icon

Headway is the answer! No longer accumulating books I never read. With Headway, I initially chose the areas important to me such as productivity, time management, etc., and each day I'm provided several book summaries from which I devote 20 minutes or more each day reading. All of this on my phone! My life has improved with Headway. Truly my most useful app.

icon

Carol Slinker

icon

An excellent concept, executed well. Headway can help you retain what you've read while introducing you to the essential core of new information. It's an easier way to stay inspired, and to be reminded of the mental tools you've learned

icon

Fuse Henry

icon

In today’s world, we rarely have time. Between our jobs, our families are social obligations, when do we have time to grow and develop ourselves? Headway is an excellent app that gives you that time it gives you those little snippets of information that you need to direct your focus in on your life. Headway gives you a chance to find out the meat of a book that you might want to purchase and read or listen to in-depth without wasting a lot of time trying to figure out is this book for me? I highly recommend the app.

icon

sleepy sprite

icon

The selections are on point and the summaries are excellent! I listen while I walk my pup 🐶 and have in turn, ordered a few selections! REALLY loving the app, it’s layout, daily selections and features!

icon

JuicyBaby328

icon

I've gotten multiple books out of the library with the intent to read them, but always have a hard time finding the time. This app has helped me finally be able to get to them. Summarized, yes, and thank goodness too! Just short enough I can finish one on my way picking kids up from school/practice, or while I'm cooking dinner. I can't wait to listen to them over the summer when we visit the beach!

icon

Jillian Emmert

icon

It amazed me! There is the possibility to highlight the most important points of each book and instantly translate unfamiliar vocabulary. With the ability to review the searched words. It's a great way to learn more about English as well. The price is great.

icon

Fiamma

icon

I’m enjoying what I’m learning on headway.each summary comes with quotes at the end which you can save to help you remember key points. You can listen or read, I’ve found that reading puts me to sleep before I can finish but the listening feature keeps me engaged and I can finish in a brief amount of time if not one session.

icon

Epic waters

icon

The app it’s so easy to use. I use it while driving or cooking and is great. I love the fact that the chapters are short, so you can finish them quickly. Very knowledgeable.

icon

kathytaveras

icon

The best app for self development.It helps to keep pace with your reading and also suggests the kind of reading material you might like.It is fun as you can switch from reading to listening and vice-versa as per your convenience .Just get started and partake of the treasure of knowledge at your fingertips .I feel lucky to have spotted the app.It has helped me become self-disciplined and much better informed.The audio track is excellent.

icon

anita yadav

icon

Exactly what I need! I always have booklist to read, but can't committed enough to finish/start bc of too much pages. Headway is really helpful and concise with their summary. What I love the most is that the essence of the book is well crafted, so I don't only read the key points, but also there's the story and how personality of the author still well shown through the summary. Well done!

icon

Feninda Amalia

icon

This is outstanding best app ever and honestly whoever came up with is my app is an absolute genius kudos my gratitude definitely goes out and I’m only on my first week free trial and I’m certainly going to purchase this app annually. Now that I have it, I can’t even imagine living without it.

icon

Darlin NIKKIDOLL0923

Have questions?

Asking the right questions brings you closer to achieving your goals

Can I test out Headway before purchasing it for my team?Payment

Sure, we will gladly give you access to our app for a certain period if you are interested in purchasing a corporate subscription for your team. Please fill out the form on the website or email partners@makeheadway.com. We will get back to you soon.

What should I do if some of my employees already have your Premium subscription?Payment

Sure, we will gladly give you access to our app for a certain period if you are interested in purchasing a corporate subscription for your team. Please fill out the form on the website or email partners@makeheadway.com. We will get back to you soon.

Can I increase or decrease the number of subscriptions on my corporate subscription once it’s started?Payment

Sure, we will gladly give you access to our app for a certain period if you are interested in purchasing a corporate subscription for your team. Please fill out the form on the website or email partners@makeheadway.com. We will get back to you soon.

What are the benefits of books summary?

Do you find yourself staring at your computer for long minutes, unaware of time slipping by? Do you enter a room and suddenly cannot remember why you stepped in the first place? Is it a herculean task for you to sit through ten pages of a book without reaching for your phone? If yes, your focus needs some work and fast.

Actually, yours is not a unique situation. Many adults like you have issues concentrating on a given task. However, in this fast-paced world of ours, you can’t afford to be not focused at all times. Thankfully, this article comes to your rescue! With the tips and tricks from Hyperfocus by Chris Bailey, you will get in the top percent of folks who have mastered the art of concentration.

Do you find yourself staring at your computer for long minutes, unaware of time slipping by? Do you enter a room and suddenly cannot remember why you stepped in the first place? Is it a herculean task for you to sit through ten pages of a book without reaching for your phone? If yes, your focus needs some work and fast.

Actually, yours is not a unique situation. Many adults like you have issues concentrating on a given task. However, in this fast-paced world of ours, you can’t afford to be not focused at all times. Thankfully, this article comes to your rescue! With the tips and tricks from Hyperfocus by Chris Bailey, you will get in the top percent of folks who have mastered the art of concentration.