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Running with Sherman
Running with Sherman: The Donkey with the Heart of a Hero | Christopher McDougall
12 posts | 15 read | 1 reading | 9 to read
A heartwarming story about training a rescue donkey to run one of the most challenging races in America. When Chris McDougall agreed to take in a donkey from an animal hoarder, he thought it would be no harder than the rest of the adjustments he and his family had made after moving from Philadelphia to the heart of Pennsylvania Amish country. But when he arrived, Sherman was in such bad shape he could barely move, and his hair was coming out in clumps. Chris decided to undertake a radical rehabilitation program designed not only to heal Sherman's body but to heal his mind as well. It turns out the best way to soothe a donkey is to give it a job, and so Chris decided to teach Sherman how to run. He'd heard about burro racing--a unique type of race where humans and donkeys run together in a call-back to mining days--and decided he and Sherman would enter the World Championship in Colorado. Easier said than done. In the course of Sherman's training, Chris would have to recruit several other runners, both human and equine, and call upon the wisdom of burro racers, goat farmers, Amish running club members, and a group of irrepressible female long-haul truckers. Along the way, he shows us the life-changing power of animals, nature, and community.
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review
Lizwarnerpdx
Pickpick

Such a fantastic book. Sherman was a neglected donkey that they help rehab by giving him the job of running. Specifically running in the human + burro races in Colorado. So much good info about the healing effects of working with animals. And, as a non-runner, I really enjoyed it.

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CaitZ
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Pickpick

I loved this! The author rescues a donkey from a hoarder and then learns of burro races in Colorado. He becomes determined to race Sherman. This is the story of how friends, neighbors, and sometimes strangers come together to make it possible. He also touches on depression and suicide. My #BookSpin book. @TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 14mo
32 likes1 comment
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Grrlbrarian
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Pickpick

Well gosh if that isn‘t my #BookSpinBingo! And yesterday I finished my #BookSpin. I loved this narrative nonfiction about rescue donkey Sherman, who found strength, healing, and equine friendship in training for the TOTALLY BANANAS Leadville Burro Race. (There were some people in the book too 😏). ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

TheAromaofBooks Yay!!! Fabulous progress!! 3y
Gissy 👏👏👏👏👏 3y
26 likes2 comments
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Bevita
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Pickpick

I waited so long to read this, after enjoying the essays in the NYT several years ago. Who knew donkey racing was a thing? Beautifully told, so many amazing people/characters. Perfect pandemic reading.

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Novella1
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Sometimes you need a glimmer of hope or a spark of joy to remind you that there are still good things in the world. This story is one of those sparks.

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Pogue
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Pickpick

This was an audiobook pick for me. It is read by the author, and while it starts off sad the end made me smile! My wife said I can‘t have a goat, that is ok now I want a donkey!

27 likes1 comment
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Pogue
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#audiocrochet listening to Running with Sherman and working on this monster.

18 likes1 stack add
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CampbellTaraL
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Pickpick

Absolutely loved this story. So many people and experiences all rolled in that it's hard to recap anything: horders, weird dating beliefs, Amish culture, animal husbandry at it's finest, neurodiversity, wild women doing impossible feats, red/blue divisions overcome by kindness, hysterical goats, and of course, donkeys.

I recommend the audiobook, but beware: it'll make your heart burst and the tears start stream without warning.

Reggie You sold me on it! 4y
27 likes1 stack add1 comment
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akaGingerK
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Pickpick

I‘m still on my read-by-the-author memoir kick. This one is about a rescue animal and the extremely quirky community that forms around the animal‘s rehabilitation. Fun read, *nearly* makes me want to get back into running. Nearly.
#advancedlistenercopy

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Nebklvr
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Pickpick

A neglected donkey, a journalist on a mission, and the race of a lifetime. Quirky characters and irascible donkeys populate this story of determination and heart. Has anyone been to the Leadville, Colorado burro race? It sounds like a super time. This book is uplifting but also looks at mental health and mortality issues too.

Godmotherx5 Sounds like a lovely book 4y
Nebklvr @Godmotherx5 Definitely interesting. (I have no desire to race burros!) I am trying to encourage my friends to go see the race. 4y
Godmotherx5 Could be a fun experience. Once. 4y
Suet624 Now I have to find someone I can visit in Colorado so I can see this race. 4y
33 likes1 stack add4 comments
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LauraBeth
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This is by the author who wrote one of my favorite running books, Born To Run. You‘re going to look at this title and cover and think, really? A true story about a donkey with the heart of a hero? PASS. But I‘m here for Sherman‘s transformation/second chance/underdog story. #heartwarming

Sace I don't know. Hero donkey sounds good. 😁 4y
Leftcoastzen I love the cat cluster!😻 4y
Kappadeemom I think I saw something about this in Runners World. She‘s actually runs with him on a leash, right?? 4y
See All 25 Comments
LauraBeth @Kappadeemom here‘s video that shows them running https://youtu.be/VxUzf2cwTN4 4y
LauraBeth @Leftcoastzen I can‘t believe they all really like each other! 😹 4y
LauraBeth @Sace I always have time for a hero donkey 😂 4y
Sace I've got the Bonnie Tyler song in my head now 🤣 4y
JenReadsAlot I want in that snuggle pile! 4y
Amiable That basket of kitty cuteness—OMG! 🥰 4y
Kappadeemom @LauraBeth Thanks. I needed a smile today 🥰 4y
LauraBeth @sace 😹😹 4y
LauraBeth @Amiable I finally found a balance of cats who all like one another! 🙌 4y
Hoopiefoot I was “meh” about this book until I saw the cover and now I‘m so excited to read it! #herodonkey 4y
Annl When I lived in the Canary Islands, we had a pet donkey called Ramon. It was an amazing experience. He and a dog we rescued were best friends! And love the cat photo! 4y
Lreads Kitty snuggle puddle! 😻😻😻❤️ 4y
LauraBeth @Hoopiefoot same! 😂 4y
LauraBeth @Annl I think “When I lived in the Canary Islands, we had a pet donkey called Ramon.” should be the first sentence of your memoir. 💕 4y
LauraBeth @QuietlyLaura always the sign that it‘s getting colder! 😹 4y
Simona Poor Bitsy ... it‘s her bed‼️ Or not anymore? 4y
LauraBeth @Simona 😹 You‘re the only who noticed that is (was?) Bitsy‘s bed! 4y
Simona Kudos to her for patience❣️ 4y
LeahBergen They‘re all together! 😩❤️😩 4y
LauraBeth @LeahBergen they all actually like one another! 😹 4y
84 likes1 stack add25 comments
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CRR
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Pickpick

Such a great story. I have read McDougall‘s other books and enjoyed them thoroughly. This was definitely different than the others but still incredible. Training a rescue donkey to run long distance foot races over mountains with his two other donkey friends? Yes! So many other heartwarming themes tied in to it as well. All around great read!