“Running for My Life” by Lopez Lomong
Several of my children run cross county so this book interested me. I was surprised how quickly I became caught up in the story and really enjoyed it. Lopez tells the heart wrenching story of being kidnapped from his parents at the age of 6 and taken to a camp that turned boys into soldiers. He escaped with the help of 3 older boys, whom he way as angels.
Lopez tells the story of his life in the refuge camp and how he is chosen to come to America at the age of 16, through a program that places boys in families. His American family cares deeply for him and helps him adjust to life and get an education.
All through his life, Lopez enjoyed running. Running was just what he did, all the time. At the refuge camp, the boys had to run the perimeter of the camp before they could play soccer. It was just a means to an end, playing soccer. When he came to America, his parents helped him meet the school coach and he joined the cross country team. Running again brought him joy, and a group of friends, and later a scholarship to college. Lopez had always dreamed of running in the Olympics, and in 2008 he qualified for the team and ran for USA.
This book is very easy to read, although it did make me cry to hear how terrible his life was in Africa. He tells the story well and gives enough details to make me understand how his life was and how different things are in the US. And when he becomes a sponsored runner he wants to help others in his home country, and the end of the book describes the program. Anyone interested in distance running or Africa will enjoy this book.
Disclaimer: I received this book from Thomas Nelson to review. All opinions expressed are my own.
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