Running: The Exercise, the City & the Marathon Challenge - Drauzio Varella

I read Running: The Exercise, the City & the Marathon Challenge by Drauzio Varella. It’s a reflective journey of a physician diving into the world of running. The book goes beyond a simple narrative, bringing meaningful moments from Varella’s life.

He narrates how he left a sedentary lifestyle, decided to train for his first marathon, and provides a historical panorama of running from ancient Greece to today. He doesn’t skip the medical aspects, physiology, injuries, and the balance between challenging oneself and staying safe.

What struck me was the tone, intimate and explanatory at the same time. He shares doubts, physical struggles, and curiosity, how does the body adapt? how is discipline born? At times, it felt like a mix of memoir, manual, and philosophical reflection.

I valued the sincerity and lessons. It’s especially useful for anyone thinking about starting to run, aware of the physical, mental, and social sides.

If there’s a critique, it’s that some chapters felt like filler. But overall, it’s a motivating book to evolve and challenge yourself in running.