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Michael Crawley's - "Out of Thin Air: Running Wisdom and Magic from Above the Clouds in Ethiopia,"

My Score: 8/10

Key things covered: Ethiopian Running culture 

TLDR: A great look at one of the most successful long distance running nations, I prefer this to running with the Kenyans as I feel it has less bias towards any type of training or nutrition before the research starts. 

Book Review: 

This is a really interesting book that highlights the training methods used by Ethiopian runners. It makes a great read, you learn a lot about their culture as well as the training. Obviously there are many factors that make great runners, many of which Ethiopians share with Kenyans, some include and that are covered in the book: 

Training at Altitude: Ethiopia's unique geography, with its vast highlands averaging 2,000 meters above sea level, plays a crucial role. The thin air forces runners to develop incredible lung capacity and red blood cell count, boosting their endurance and oxygen efficiency.

Barefoot or Minimalist Running: Many Ethiopian runners train, certainly when young when you develop many habits, completely barefoot or with minimalist shoes. Honestly this book downplays this a lot, nonetheless it doubtlessly strengthens their foot muscles and promotes a more natural running form, leading to better biomechanics and fewer injuries.

Holistic / Community Approach: Running in Ethiopia extends far beyond physical training. It's deeply ingrained in the culture, seen as a spiritual practice and a pathway to a better life. Runners often train in groups, drawing motivation and support from their community.

Mental Toughness: To some extent there is the motivation and how bad do you want it element. Winning a major race for a UK or US athlete will change their life, in Ethiopia it could change a community. Ethiopian runners possess incredible mental strength. They train in harsh conditions, often facing poverty and limited resources. Their unwavering determination and belief in their dreams fuel their relentless pursuit of excellence.

Beyond Physical Limits: Crawley's book explores the fascinating link between Ethiopian running and spirituality. Many runners believe in the presence of spirits in the mountains, guiding and protecting them during their training. This adds a unique dimension to their understanding of running and their ability to push beyond perceived physical limits. Honestly this is not something I can relate to but the more I read there more I want to learn about the past and past runners. I remember reading this was important to Haile Gebrselassie, running and learning from the footsteps of others.

Crawley's book is not just about running; it's a captivating portrait of Ethiopian culture and resilience. It offers valuable insights into training methods, mental strength, and the power of community. Whether you're a seasoned runner or simply drawn to extraordinary human stories, "Out of Thin Air" is a well worth a read.

My Key take aways: 

  • Confirms that running groups or communities are great. So join a club or go to parkrun.
  • Zigzag training - taking the straightest path in training probably won't get you the best results 
  • Train slowly! The number of times paces are mentioned, certainly for recovery runs, and I am thinking I could stick with them!
  • They prize eating meat, so should you. 
  • Loads more, mental toughness, running on grass, the altitude and believe. 

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