Born to Run audiobook cover - A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen

Born to Run

A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen

Christopher McDougall

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Health & NutritionScience

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Born to Run
Evolutionary Biology+
Tarahumara Culture+
Optimal Nutrition+
Biomechanics & Gear+
Psychology & Mindset+

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

Question 1 of 8
According to the text, what two primal impulses does running unite, which helps explain why running booms often occur during national crises?
  • A. Aggression and empathy
  • B. Fear and pleasure
  • C. Competition and survival
  • D. Isolation and community
Question 2 of 8
What is 'rarájipari' in the context of the Tarahumara culture?
  • A. A traditional corn-based energy drink consumed before long runs.
  • B. A meditation technique used to ignore pain and fatigue on the trail.
  • C. A communal endurance race involving advancing a ball back and forth over a long trail.
  • D. A rite of passage where young runners must track a wild animal until it collapses.
Question 3 of 8
What evolutionary 'superpower' allows humans to outrun four-legged animals over incredibly long distances?
  • A. The ability to sweat, which allows us to dissipate heat rapidly without relying on our breathing cycle.
  • B. A larger lung capacity relative to body size, allowing for more oxygen intake per stride.
  • C. The ability to take multiple breaths per stride while sprinting at top speeds.
  • D. A naturally lower resting heart rate than most other mammals in the animal kingdom.
Question 4 of 8
According to a study of New York City Marathon finishing times mentioned in the text, how does human running performance change with age?
  • A. Runners peak at age 19 and steadily decline until they can no longer run by age 50.
  • B. Runners peak at age 27, and by age 64, their speed declines to match their 19-year-old pace.
  • C. Endurance increases indefinitely, making older runners consistently faster than younger ones.
  • D. Performance remains completely static between the ages of 20 and 60.
Question 5 of 8
Why do humans often experience a 'mind-body conflict' when it comes to extreme exercise like long-distance running?
  • A. Our muscles require more oxygen than our lungs can physically provide during sustained effort.
  • B. Our modern diet lacks the complex nutrients necessary to fuel prolonged physical activity.
  • C. Our bodies are built for performance, but our brains evolved to constantly seek efficiency and avoid unnecessary exertion.
  • D. Our society conditions us from a young age to believe that running is inherently dangerous to our joints.
Question 6 of 8
Why does the text suggest a vegetarian or plant-based diet is highly effective for endurance runners?
  • A. Plant-based foods increase the body's natural production of adrenaline and testosterone.
  • B. Fruits, vegetables, and whole grains provide maximum nutrition with the fewest calories, and carbohydrates digest faster than proteins.
  • C. A meatless diet permanently alters the human metabolism to burn muscle instead of fat.
  • D. Plant proteins are the only type of protein that can efficiently repair micro-tears in the Achilles tendon.
Question 7 of 8
What is the primary reason the text argues that heavily cushioned running shoes do more harm than good?
  • A. They are too heavy, significantly reducing a runner's overall speed and agility over long distances.
  • B. They force the foot to over-pronate, which is the direct and sole cause of runner's knee.
  • C. They act like a plaster cast, causing foot muscles to atrophy and masking the painful impact that would normally force a runner to correct bad form.
  • D. They absorb too much sweat and heat, leading to severe fungal infections and blisters during ultramarathons.
Question 8 of 8
What actionable advice is given at the end of the text to improve running efficiency and foster endurance?
  • A. Take long, bounding strides to cover more ground with less effort.
  • B. Push past the aerobic threshold as quickly as possible to burn through sugar reserves.
  • C. Match your pace to a tempo of 180 beats per minute, taking smaller steps like a child.
  • D. Land heavily on your heels to fully utilize the shock absorption of your tendons.

Born to Run — Full Chapter Overview

Born to Run Summary & Overview

Born to Run (2009) delves into the human capacity for long-distance running. First-hand accounts, an encounter with a secretive ultra-running tribe and cutting-edge research combine to argue for the idea that we may well be born to run.

Who Should Listen to Born to Run?

  • Runners and anyone training for a marathon
  • Armchair athletes
  • Health-conscious people

About the Author: Christopher McDougall

Christopher McDougall is an American author, TED speaker and journalist who has written for Esquire, New York Times Magazine, Men’s Journal, New York and Outside. He’s also acted as a contributing editor for Men’s Health. 

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