Running with Sherman

Running with Sherman chronicles the rehabilitation of a neglected donkey by author Christopher McDougall and his family in Amish farm country. The rescued animal, weak and traumatized, requires extensive care and training to regain both physical and mental health. McDougall discovers the world of burro racing - a niche sport where humans and donkeys run together as racing partners. He sets an ambitious goal to train Sherman for the World Championship Pack Burro Race in Colorado, despite the donkey's fragile condition and complete lack of athletic experience. The narrative follows McDougall's family, neighbors, and local Amish community as they come together to support this unlikely endeavor. The story expands beyond a single donkey to explore the bonds between humans and animals, while documenting the history and culture of burro racing in America. The book examines themes of healing through connection, the power of having a purpose, and the unexpected ways that helping an animal can transform a community. Through Sherman's story, McDougall presents a larger meditation on empathy, perseverance, and the mutual benefits of human-animal relationships.

Readers found this to be an uplifting story that goes beyond just running, focusing on healing and connection between humans and animals. The narrative weaves together multiple storylines about Sherman's rehabilitation alongside profiles of burro racing and various characters in the running community. Liked: - Engaging blend of memoir, history, and science - Clear explanations of donkey behavior and psychology - Heartwarming without being overly sentimental - Humor throughout the storytelling Disliked: - Some found the various subplot tangents distracting - Pacing feels uneven in middle sections - Expected more focus on Sherman specifically - Too much detail about Amish community dynamics Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (3,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (1,100+ ratings) "The book meanders like a mountain trail, but that's part of its charm," noted one Amazon reviewer. Multiple Goodreads reviews mentioned the book helped them understand animal therapy and healing in new ways.

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🔹 Sherman was a severely neglected donkey who could barely walk when author Christopher McDougall adopted him; the donkey's hooves were so overgrown they resembled curled Turkish slippers. 🔹 Burro racing, which features prominently in the book, began in Colorado during the 1940s mining era when miners would race their pack donkeys back to town after work. 🔹 Christopher McDougall previously wrote the bestseller "Born to Run," which helped spark the barefoot running movement and revolutionized the running shoe industry. 🔹 Donkeys have an extraordinary memory and can recall places and other donkeys they haven't seen for 25 years, which helped Sherman form lasting bonds with his running companions. 🔹 The World Championship Pack Burro Race in Fairplay, Colorado, which Sherman trained for, requires participants to lead (not ride) their donkeys through a challenging 29-mile course over rough terrain and a 13,000-foot mountain pass.