Jonny Muir

I'd read an earlier book of Mr Muir's and whilst readable was hardly great literary fare (his first book). This however is in a different league of writing although as a English Teacher now, it's maybe not un-expected and was consequently longlisted for a sports book award.
It could be said to be a Scottish version of the book that brought fell/hill running into the more mainstream of sports writing - the award winning 'Feet in the clouds'. At the heart of that book was the author's attempt at the Bob Graham Round and here it's the Scottish equivalent 'the Ramsey Round' interspaced with interviews/races and the changes in the author's life in regards to his relationship with the hills and mountains.

Feet in the Clouds had interviews/chapters with the old-skool greats: Billy Bland/Joss Naylor/Kenny Stuart/Helen Diamantides ;this has the new breed focused on the Scottish contingent - Colin Donnelly (from a slightly older time) and the modern legends that are Finlay Wild/Jasmin Paris.

It's not just the races/records and gruelling feats of stamina thought that makes this book special - there's elements of Robert Macfarlanes nature writing (the good bits ...) and love of the wild landscapes that comes through.

If you aren't an outdoors runner, this should inspire you leave the treadmill/roads and unforgiving surfaces behind to em... charge down unforgiving surfaces on a mountain. You'll maybe get injured but you'll have a hell of a lot more fun doing it ...and come back with a tale to tell.… (más)