» Running and Philosophy: A Marathon for the Mind (Blackwell Philosophy and Pop Culture)

Running and Philosophy: A Marathon for the Mind (Blackwell Philosophy and Pop Culture) Reviews

Customer Rating:
Summary: Thought provoking, time well spent
Comment: I picked up this book at the perfect time and that is why I am giving it 5 stars. I originally got into running like a lot of people in high school as part of the cross country team. I only ran cross country as a way to get in shape for basketball season. After high school I stopped running and did not pick up the sport again until after my Step-father was diagnosed with cancer. He was a big time runner and had a 10 year streak of competing in a local 13.1 mile race. So I stepped in to run in his place to keep the streak alive. After his passing, I ran my first marathon in his memory and in the process found out a lot about myself. I have been running ever since, taking on 5K, 5 milers, halfs and marathons, all the while becoming more engrossed in the sport of running as well as the psychology behind it. As a child running is as natural as breathing, then at some point it became a chore and now it gives me the time and space I need to think in our modern world. This book simply shares the thoughts of others who have found similar insights from running. Happy trails.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Fun, Challenging, Motivating
Comment: This is one of the best books in the whole philosophy and pop culture genre.

For philosophers, the essays feel like they come very naturally out of the topic. They are wide-ranging but all grounded in running--no stretches to get the philosophy in. It's as effortless as a comfortable pace can be.

For runners, there is an informative development of ideas that you've probably started to have in your own running, but haven't seen through this far.

Fun, challenging, motivating.

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