Premise
Imagine running alongside one of the most beloved and most misunderstood creatures—the humble donkey. Now imagine training that donkey to run alongside you up and over Colorado’s Rocky Mountains. Running with Sherman is that very story.
When Christopher McDougall, best selling author of Born to Run, adopts the “Sherm,” he realizes just how much help the rescue miniature donkey needs. Underweight and psychologically scarred, Sherman’s recovery unites a medley of people. And a medley it is. In this book we meet professional donkey trainers, mentor goats, Amish running clubs, and more.
As McDougall and his rag-tag band tend to the lovable Sherman, McDougall realizes that burro racing—yes, your read that right—is just what Sherman needs. A tried and true sport, burro racing is a competition in which humans and burros run side by side over a multitude of terrains—forests, mountains, and roads.
Review
Sound too bizarre to be true? Think again. McDougall’s work does this sport justice. He excels in describing just how much time and physical effort the team dedicates to training. Humans and burros train as hard as any professional athlete. McDougall is quick to learn that being an amazing human runner is not enough. Compassion, patience, and understanding of donkey psychology are essential. As Sherman and his beloved team train for the World Championship Pack Burro Race held in Fairplay, Colorado, readers learn:
- just how healing movement can be
- the power of human-animal connection
Like his previous work Born To Run, McDougall’s writing often forays into long stretched anecdotes and wordy descriptions. For me, the book is just as much a human story as it is about a brave hearted burro. Afterall, the title is Running with Sherman. Some readers will undoubtedly become distracted by the various human side stories (of which there are many.) I can see this especially being true for audio book listeners.
Anecdotes aside, McDougall’s gift is his overall tone–genuine optimism. He achieves this within his writing with self-deprecating humor, colorful metaphors, and plenty of enthusiasm. And this is in the face of the many setbacks (transportation issues, injuries) he and his team experience.
This optimism also makes Running with Sherman a wonderful testament to the humble burro. Often maligned for their “stubborn” personality, burros are the deeply misunderstood equine. As McDougall and Sherman run together, the author explains “Donkey Tao,” as he unravels the incredible self-preservation tactics of burros. “Horses are speedy, but when it comes to heat, cold, and thirst, you can’t do better than a burro,” McDougall explains. And Sherman ultimately does prove just how tough he truly is.
An Uplifting Read
Running with Sherman is an inspiring, true underdog tale that I thoroughly enjoyed. This book is a treat for both runners and animals lovers alike. Fans of The Running Dream by Wendelin Van Draanen will appreciate this tale. If you’re in search for an uplifting story full of adventure, haul ass (pun intended) to your local library or bookstore and pick up a copy today.
~LMC
