Running With The Kenyans: Passion, Adventure, And The Secrets Of The Fastest People On Earth (2010) - Plot & Excerpts
Part memoir, part travelogue, part teaching on running. Dhar Finn had experienced success as a youth running in his native England. As an adult, an opportunity to participate in a race (which he surprised himself by winning) made him wonder just how far he could push himself with proper training. He had always been intrigued by the Kenyan runners wondering why they were so good. As idea took shape and he uprooted his family and moved to Itan, Kenya for six months in order to train with the Kenyans in advance of participating in the marathon in Lewa, Kenya. I enjoyed this on a number of levels. Partly it was the running. I’ve never run as seriously as this, but can appreciate the discussion. Technical writing is kept to a bare minimum. I also enjoyed the angle of the memoir of his experiences and what he and the family went through. Finally, there is just the pure Africa-ness of it. I laughed at the ceremony that started two hours later than expected. I smiled at the hospitality that insisted on serving a meal to this honored guest. All the little things that speak so of Africa culture. Well written. An interesting read about a fascinating subject. I found Finn's voice a bit bland, though. I'm sure he's charismatic in real life but this didn't really come across - it was mostly descriptive but in a dispassionate way. Even the insights into a runner's psychology were somehow colourless. I also found the constant switching between verb tenses (past and present) confusing.I don't know what the paper book is like, but the Kindle version didn't have any pictures, and I really would have liked some. The whole set-up of a runners' town in a valley is difficult to picture, plus some faces to go with names might have made it more relatable and added an extra star from me.
What do You think about Running With The Kenyans: Passion, Adventure, And The Secrets Of The Fastest People On Earth (2010)?
Average story. Some interesting insights into the Kenyan running community. But not much new here.
—jess
good read ... real life adventure into a part of the world so different from what I know
—nicinicole
Absoluutselt võrratu raamat, isegi neile, kes jooksmist ei armasta.
—vgomez6d
