Formal Writing
Born to Run Q & A- Chapters 8-24 & Chapter 26
Question One: In chapter 17, Caballo Blanco takes the time to teach McDougall how to run correctly. His advice comes from the experience he has running with the Tarahumara tribes. Describe McDougalls feelings when he finally begins to perfect Caballo's technique (page 110-111). Do you think he'll continue practicing the skills he learned?
Answer: At first, McDougall is exhausted, calling out to Caballo Blanco but barely having the breath to say his name. He is trying to keep up but McDougall's stompy stride cannot compete with what he describes as Caballo's "tippy-toeing steps" (page 111). So Caballo slows down, and starts correcting his gait, and McDougall begins to keep up if only slightly. I think if someone is as driven as McDougall went all the way to Mexico just to find a hidden tribe, and then after visiting said tribe goes on a wild goose hunt after a man who might not even exist, all for the sake of learning how to run, he will most definitely be running and continuing this new technique for a long while.
Question Two: The first team of Tarahumara to run the Leadville Trail 100 had dropped out of the race before they even hit half way. What do you think caused them to drop out of the race? Was it really because they weren't as, Rick Fisher called them, "great Tarahumara runners" (page 63)?
Answer: The Tarahumara are always described as shy. I mean, for goodness sake, the Tarahumara always start the race last and they live in solitude and McDougall describes the men as unable to have children if they didn't get drunk almost every night. I have no doubt in my mind that they could have beat the other runners during that race I just feel that they got nervous; they were Running in unfamiliar clothes in an unfamiliar place and it made them nervous. If they had stayed to run, they would have won the race or at least one of them would have because they run more in a day than most Americans do in a week and that in my mind is proof enough.
Question Three: Fisher, or Pescador, has been cutting off any contact the media has with his Tarahumara runners. Name a few of the actions he has taken to prevent outsiders from speaking with the team and mention why he is doing so. Would you do the same if you were Fisher? Why?
Question Four: When the second Tarahumara running team gets to the starting line, many people doubt their skills for many reasons, one example being their shyness amoungst the other competitors. Name at least two other examples of why people would question their talent. How does the outcome of the race effect the views of people in the town? How about people's views on the Tarahumara tribe themselves?
Answer: One example of the crowds' doubt comes from the ages of the team, ranging from around mid 80's to young boys in their teens. In the USA, our elderly are usually at home on a couch watching Martha Stewart, the fact that this considerably older man is running and winning one of the most dangerous races in America is very surprising. Another example would be because the Tarahumara team before them quit very early on. Ken Chlouber thought that the second team was, in his words, the "same eye of the tiger as last year" (page 64) indicating that the connection between the first and second teams was there. However, Ken's opinion on them changed as soon as he saw the Tarahumara running back, in first place. In fact, it seemed that a lot of Amerca was stunned by the turn around of the race. They even had the New York Times writing about them, indicating that not only did Mexico know of the Tarahumara, but now a huge portion of the United States as well. Now, they will not be just a tribe of people in the dessert but knowing the US, they could become a huge fad and could influence people into running or attempting to run just as they do. And Fisher's attempts at hiding them are not helping. By hiding the running team, he is creating many mysteries that I imagine many people will try and find out and only make the Tarahumara popular.
Answer: At first, McDougall is exhausted, calling out to Caballo Blanco but barely having the breath to say his name. He is trying to keep up but McDougall's stompy stride cannot compete with what he describes as Caballo's "tippy-toeing steps" (page 111). So Caballo slows down, and starts correcting his gait, and McDougall begins to keep up if only slightly. I think if someone is as driven as McDougall went all the way to Mexico just to find a hidden tribe, and then after visiting said tribe goes on a wild goose hunt after a man who might not even exist, all for the sake of learning how to run, he will most definitely be running and continuing this new technique for a long while.
Question Two: The first team of Tarahumara to run the Leadville Trail 100 had dropped out of the race before they even hit half way. What do you think caused them to drop out of the race? Was it really because they weren't as, Rick Fisher called them, "great Tarahumara runners" (page 63)?
Answer: The Tarahumara are always described as shy. I mean, for goodness sake, the Tarahumara always start the race last and they live in solitude and McDougall describes the men as unable to have children if they didn't get drunk almost every night. I have no doubt in my mind that they could have beat the other runners during that race I just feel that they got nervous; they were Running in unfamiliar clothes in an unfamiliar place and it made them nervous. If they had stayed to run, they would have won the race or at least one of them would have because they run more in a day than most Americans do in a week and that in my mind is proof enough.
Question Three: Fisher, or Pescador, has been cutting off any contact the media has with his Tarahumara runners. Name a few of the actions he has taken to prevent outsiders from speaking with the team and mention why he is doing so. Would you do the same if you were Fisher? Why?
Question Four: When the second Tarahumara running team gets to the starting line, many people doubt their skills for many reasons, one example being their shyness amoungst the other competitors. Name at least two other examples of why people would question their talent. How does the outcome of the race effect the views of people in the town? How about people's views on the Tarahumara tribe themselves?
Answer: One example of the crowds' doubt comes from the ages of the team, ranging from around mid 80's to young boys in their teens. In the USA, our elderly are usually at home on a couch watching Martha Stewart, the fact that this considerably older man is running and winning one of the most dangerous races in America is very surprising. Another example would be because the Tarahumara team before them quit very early on. Ken Chlouber thought that the second team was, in his words, the "same eye of the tiger as last year" (page 64) indicating that the connection between the first and second teams was there. However, Ken's opinion on them changed as soon as he saw the Tarahumara running back, in first place. In fact, it seemed that a lot of Amerca was stunned by the turn around of the race. They even had the New York Times writing about them, indicating that not only did Mexico know of the Tarahumara, but now a huge portion of the United States as well. Now, they will not be just a tribe of people in the dessert but knowing the US, they could become a huge fad and could influence people into running or attempting to run just as they do. And Fisher's attempts at hiding them are not helping. By hiding the running team, he is creating many mysteries that I imagine many people will try and find out and only make the Tarahumara popular.
White Heron Essay
Prompt: Using evidence written within the story, prove whether Sylvia will, or will not lead the huntsman to the White Heron?
When thinking of a life surrounded by nature, most of the young people of this age would shriek at the idea of a life without plugs for their iphones. But young Sylvia of the 19th century thinks differently, as she helps her grandmother tend to her farm in the New England woods. Sarah Orne Jewett’s story, A White Heron, depicts the quiet life Sylvia lives, exploring the woods and playing hide and seek with her only friend, who happens to be a cow. Little does Sylvia know that searching the woods, relentless in his hunt, is a young man whose hobby is collectingand stuffing rare birds, the White Heron being his next victim. This young man, the sportsman, asks Sylvia if she knows where to find such a bird; but even Sylvia, who slowly grows fond of the young man, stays silent. Sylvia’s love for nature will over power her infatuation with the sportsman and she will save the White heron.
At the beginning of the story, Jewett talks of Sylvia’s love for nature and how happy she was to be out of the city. The story narrates, “Everybody said that it was a good change for a little maid who had tried to grow for eight years in a crowded manufacturing town,” it said, “but, as for Sylvia herself, it seemed as if she never had been alive at all before she came to live at the farm” (page 27). She obviously loves her grandmother’s farm and is happy to be there. Another example would be, “Sylvia whispered that this was a beautiful place to live in, and she never should wish to go home” (page 28). Sylvia is truly in love with her new home and would never do anything to damage it.
Another reason why Sylvia seems to be leaning more towards the Heron is because she happens to be quite good with animals. Even Sylvia herself considered the cow, “a valued companion for all that.” And her grandmother claims that, “the wild creaturs counts her one o’ themselves. Squer’ls she’ll tame to come an’ feed right out o’ her hands, and all sorts o’ birds” (page 29-30). Feeding the birds is not a sign of hatred, but of compassion and care.
The last example is just the fact that though she does seem very much interested and even perhaps has a crush on the huntsman, there are some things she disagrees with. For example, “Sylvia would have liked him vastly better without his gun;” Jewett told, “she could not understand why he killed the very birds he seemed to like so much” (page 31). Also, she managed to keep secret the whereabouts of the heron and her nest. If she had truly chosen the Huntsman over her woods, she would have told him at some point during the day.
Though Sylvia seems truly interested in the huntsman and what they could be together, she does have her doubts and seems to care deeply for her beloved woods, foliage and animals alike. Caring for the creatures on and off the farm will help her decide that saving the Heron from the barrel end of the Sportsman’s gun is the right thing to do. After all, if she is as connected as her grandmother says, then how could she not help such an odd and beautiful creature? And what would be the point of helping the other animals that live within her woods?
When thinking of a life surrounded by nature, most of the young people of this age would shriek at the idea of a life without plugs for their iphones. But young Sylvia of the 19th century thinks differently, as she helps her grandmother tend to her farm in the New England woods. Sarah Orne Jewett’s story, A White Heron, depicts the quiet life Sylvia lives, exploring the woods and playing hide and seek with her only friend, who happens to be a cow. Little does Sylvia know that searching the woods, relentless in his hunt, is a young man whose hobby is collectingand stuffing rare birds, the White Heron being his next victim. This young man, the sportsman, asks Sylvia if she knows where to find such a bird; but even Sylvia, who slowly grows fond of the young man, stays silent. Sylvia’s love for nature will over power her infatuation with the sportsman and she will save the White heron.
At the beginning of the story, Jewett talks of Sylvia’s love for nature and how happy she was to be out of the city. The story narrates, “Everybody said that it was a good change for a little maid who had tried to grow for eight years in a crowded manufacturing town,” it said, “but, as for Sylvia herself, it seemed as if she never had been alive at all before she came to live at the farm” (page 27). She obviously loves her grandmother’s farm and is happy to be there. Another example would be, “Sylvia whispered that this was a beautiful place to live in, and she never should wish to go home” (page 28). Sylvia is truly in love with her new home and would never do anything to damage it.
Another reason why Sylvia seems to be leaning more towards the Heron is because she happens to be quite good with animals. Even Sylvia herself considered the cow, “a valued companion for all that.” And her grandmother claims that, “the wild creaturs counts her one o’ themselves. Squer’ls she’ll tame to come an’ feed right out o’ her hands, and all sorts o’ birds” (page 29-30). Feeding the birds is not a sign of hatred, but of compassion and care.
The last example is just the fact that though she does seem very much interested and even perhaps has a crush on the huntsman, there are some things she disagrees with. For example, “Sylvia would have liked him vastly better without his gun;” Jewett told, “she could not understand why he killed the very birds he seemed to like so much” (page 31). Also, she managed to keep secret the whereabouts of the heron and her nest. If she had truly chosen the Huntsman over her woods, she would have told him at some point during the day.
Though Sylvia seems truly interested in the huntsman and what they could be together, she does have her doubts and seems to care deeply for her beloved woods, foliage and animals alike. Caring for the creatures on and off the farm will help her decide that saving the Heron from the barrel end of the Sportsman’s gun is the right thing to do. After all, if she is as connected as her grandmother says, then how could she not help such an odd and beautiful creature? And what would be the point of helping the other animals that live within her woods?
Born To Run Q & A- Chapters 1-7
Question One: Multiple doctors, including the, "godfather of sports medicine" (page 11), told McDougall that he is not designed to run well. Compare and contrast McDougall’s running style to that of the Tarahumara.
Answer: McDougall runs on his heels claiming that his, “size thirteens clumped down so heavily it sounded like the video had a bongo beat” (page 12). His running style is unorganized and very very unhealthy. The Tarahumara on the other hand can run for miles on end without any pain whatsoever. While McDougall bounces, a real Tarahumara runner is more smooth. A young Tarahumara boy named Marcelino’s running is described as, “His feet were Jitterbugging like crazy between the rocks, but everything above was tranquil, almost immobile” (page 40). Obviously lighter on his feet, Marcelino puts less pressure on his legs, and more on his toes so it’s easier to hop over rocks and move at a much faster pace.
Question Two: If the Tarahumara eat and drink what is considered bad for the human body, how do you think they manage to stay so healthy? How do they manage to run long distances for long periods of time?
Answer: Well actually, it must be very difficult because running isn’t very healthy for you either and their diets are atrocious. The only slightly healthy drink mentioned in the book, is Iskiate, which sure is packed with minerals and nutrients and can last you through a whole day but also doesn’t have everything your body truly needs. Personally, I think it could have something to do with the, “how you look on the outside reflects who you are on the inside” theory. The Tarahumara truly just seem like down to earth, caring people and are happy just running. Because they are so good natured in their hearts, that could be a contributing factor to how they manage to look and feel good on the outside.
Question Three: McDougall seems slightly obsessed with the idea of running, all because of the book, The Running Athlete. What else do you think contributed to his extreme curiosity? Why?
Answer: McDougall, to me, seems to be very driven. He just wants to know why he can’t run if we are born to do so. Now I know the book says that we’re not all born to run and that it’s incredibly unhealthy but one of my favorite lines is, “We run when we’re scared, we run when we’re ecstatic, we run away from our problems and run around for a good time” (page 11). It’s so simply put and holds so much truth that it can fit everyone in the world. We all run at one point or another. Even those, like me, who find extreme discomfort in running, will go running through rain or when I’m sad or uncomfortable. It’s only human. So I guess that’s why I say we’re “Born to Run” and why McDougall feels the need to do so. Because if all people do it, and he’s one of the only one’s who cannot, then what does that make him?
Answer: McDougall runs on his heels claiming that his, “size thirteens clumped down so heavily it sounded like the video had a bongo beat” (page 12). His running style is unorganized and very very unhealthy. The Tarahumara on the other hand can run for miles on end without any pain whatsoever. While McDougall bounces, a real Tarahumara runner is more smooth. A young Tarahumara boy named Marcelino’s running is described as, “His feet were Jitterbugging like crazy between the rocks, but everything above was tranquil, almost immobile” (page 40). Obviously lighter on his feet, Marcelino puts less pressure on his legs, and more on his toes so it’s easier to hop over rocks and move at a much faster pace.
Question Two: If the Tarahumara eat and drink what is considered bad for the human body, how do you think they manage to stay so healthy? How do they manage to run long distances for long periods of time?
Answer: Well actually, it must be very difficult because running isn’t very healthy for you either and their diets are atrocious. The only slightly healthy drink mentioned in the book, is Iskiate, which sure is packed with minerals and nutrients and can last you through a whole day but also doesn’t have everything your body truly needs. Personally, I think it could have something to do with the, “how you look on the outside reflects who you are on the inside” theory. The Tarahumara truly just seem like down to earth, caring people and are happy just running. Because they are so good natured in their hearts, that could be a contributing factor to how they manage to look and feel good on the outside.
Question Three: McDougall seems slightly obsessed with the idea of running, all because of the book, The Running Athlete. What else do you think contributed to his extreme curiosity? Why?
Answer: McDougall, to me, seems to be very driven. He just wants to know why he can’t run if we are born to do so. Now I know the book says that we’re not all born to run and that it’s incredibly unhealthy but one of my favorite lines is, “We run when we’re scared, we run when we’re ecstatic, we run away from our problems and run around for a good time” (page 11). It’s so simply put and holds so much truth that it can fit everyone in the world. We all run at one point or another. Even those, like me, who find extreme discomfort in running, will go running through rain or when I’m sad or uncomfortable. It’s only human. So I guess that’s why I say we’re “Born to Run” and why McDougall feels the need to do so. Because if all people do it, and he’s one of the only one’s who cannot, then what does that make him?