We were all Born to Run by Miranda

We were all Born to Run by Miranda - February 2015 Scholarship Essay

Throughout our time in high school we will all read a horrendous amount of advanced placement books, more Shakespeare tragedies than we ever wanted to endure, and so much poetry our brains have started to process thoughts in iambic pentameter. Though all of these literary works have given us life lessons and provided us with writing and reading skills, some of the best books are not even heard of in high schools. Some of the best messages are hidden behind the titles of the books they are imbedded in, just waiting to be discovered. Born to Run by Christopher McDougall is the perfect example of a wonderful message just waiting to be understood.

When skimming through books, the majority of American high school students will see the word “run” and just skip right past. Little do they know that the book has messages within for everyone, runner or not. Born to Run takes the reader deep into the mysterious Tarahumara Indians of Mexico’s Copper Canyons and their ability to run amazing distances. McDougall, a journalist from Pennsylvania, departed on a remarkable journey to track down these amazing athletes to learn just how they run and to understand their lifestyle. Through this journey, McDougall learned so much more than what it takes to be an amazing runner. From life lessons to learning to embrace who you are, McDougall shows that running is so much more amazing than most people would believe.

In one chapter of his story, McDougall writes about how when everyone is a child they have a need for speed. “Every game you played, you played at top speed, sprinting like crazy as you kicked cans, freed all, and attacked jungle outposts in your neighbors’ back yard” (page 92). We all remember this, it was a time where we did not worry about how we were viewed, we just ran and played like there was no tomorrow. But what happened to this? McDougall explains that until the 2000 Olympics Americans always came up on top in the long distance running events. When money started to be a big part of the Olympic Games around 1984, we crashed (page 94). Everything became about money, not winning that gold medal title to prove that you can run. This is where messages to even the non-runners comes into play.

Though McDougall ties all of his stories back to runners, there are messages for those who have never considered running fun as well. While exploring the effects of money in the sport, McDougall mentions American coach, Joe Vigil. McDougal states that “Vigil could smell the apocalypse coming.” He knew that money was going to affect his athletes and gave one piece of advice. “’There are two goddesses in your heart,’ he told them. ‘The Goddess of Wisdom and the Goddess of Wealth. Everyone thinks they need to get wealth first, and wisdom will come. So they concern themselves with chasing money. But they have it backwards. You have to give your heart to the Goddess of Wisdom, give her all your love and attention and the Goddess of Wealth will become jealous, and follow you” (page 94). This message not only applies to Vigil and his athletes but to everyone. High school students, especially those expecting to go to college, always have a small panic attack their senior years about how they will pay for the next four years of their life at least. The message Vigil gives about wealth and wisdom could help to take some of that anxiety and cut it down.

Beyond money, McDougall brings messages of kindness, passion, love, and dedication. Throughout our lives we have to be kind to one another. We were taught as children to treat others how we want to be treated. McDougall tells stories of those that advanced in life through their kindness. He explains that in order to be good at something you have to be passionate about it. You have to love what you to and be dedicated to getting it done. Bring kindness into the mix and you have an amazing person. Though tied around running, McDougall sends a message for everyone.

Before graduating high school everyone should have the chance to get lost in the amazing story of the Tarahumara and the amazing Journey McDougall embarked. Through lessons from money to passion, Born to Run is an amazing story that isn’t popular enough in the non-running group. Next time you see the word “run” in the title of a book, do not just skim past it. You never know what you could be missing.