Italian classicist Andrea Marcolongo (Starting from Scratch: The Life-Changing Lessons of Aeneas) surprised herself when she fell in love with running. Marcolongo chronicles her running journey and delves into the ancient Greeks' perspectives on running and physical fitness in The Art of Running, a slim, engaging hybrid of observation, memoir, and philosophy. Drawing ideas from the pantheon of Greek philosophers, Marcolongo muses on the mental toughness required to run, wonders whether running is a "natural" physiological process, and considers the strange mixture of motivations that compel millions of runners worldwide to lace up their shoes every morning.
Marcolongo revisits mythological runners such as Atalanta and historical runners such as Kathrine Switzer, and she explores the triumphs and absurdities of pushing one's body on a run. She admits that running has given her "an accelerated degree in bodily intuition," a greater intimacy with her regular Paris haunts, and a surefire way to improve her mood. Most chapters conclude with a brief, lyrical essay tracing Marcolongo's morning runs along the Seine and her preparations for her first marathon--in Athens, of course.
Faithfully translated by Will Schutt, like much of Marcolongo's work, her thoughtful, dryly witty explorations of ancient and modern running cultures are enjoyable, especially for runners who are also inclined to philosophize. But like many runners, Marcolongo must eventually return to the sport as a physical, daily engagement: "an awakening... [a]nd a sacred promise to keep myself honest." Runners and Grecophiles will relish the chance to accompany Marcolongo on her running journey: to Athens and back again, yes, but ultimately--as all runners know--step by step. --Katie Noah Gibson, blogger at Cakes, Tea and Dreams