I got a couple of books on running for my birthday:

I can’t say that either book made a huge impact on me. But ‘Kenyans’ was interesting in that there isn’t some big secret of the success of the Kenyans; it’s a combination of many factors:-
* tough, active childhood
* barefoot running
* altitude
* diet
* role models
* simple approach to training
* running camps
* focus & dedication
* desire to succeed & change their lives
* mental toughness
* lack of alternatives
* abundance of trails to train on
* time spent resting
* running to school
* all-pervading running culture
* reverence for running

‘Talk’ is more of a series of diary entries. There were lots of bits that I could identify with: his attitude on personal goals, ‘at least he didn’t walk’ and running to fill a void, to name a few. I enjoyed his introspective style. Although he doesn’t seem like he’d be much fun to hang around with, he’s a pretty good writer.