Many books about runners focus on performance and the challenges of the sport, usually in a serious tone. However, Abdi’s World: The Black Cactus on Life, Running, and Fun by Abdi Abdirahman and Myles Schrag is different. It has a lively and relaxed vibe from the start, making it a refreshing read compared to the typical athlete’s story. Despite its fun tone, the book captures Abdi’s eagerness and resilience, and the excitement of running competitions feels as thrilling as a suspense novel.
The narrative of this book feels almost like a novel, sprinkled with bits of wisdom throughout, so much so that you might not even notice when you reach the end. If you’re looking for training tips to match Abdi’s performance, this might not be the book for you. Instead, it offers insights about Abdi’s life and our own, touching on things that truly matter.
Within the book, Abdi shares his “Habits for Happiness and Success,” which include:
- Rock Steady: Life is always changing; try not to get too high or too low. Both disappointment and happiness are temporary, and it’s important to overcome both.
- Practice Balance: Stick with what works, and remember that life is a marathon, not a sprint.
- Play the Long Game: Avoid quick fixes and remember where you came from. When you’re hurting, give your body a break. You want to be a source of support for others for a long time, so don’t jeopardize that.
- Give Yourself 10 Minutes: The first sweat is where everything begins to shift. Abdi calls it the “magic sweat.” The first step of a workout is the hardest, but within 10 minutes, the magic sweat kicks in, and you’ll be glad you pushed through. Each subsequent step gets easier—until they get harder again, but that’s another story.
I find that these suggested habits are ones we can all apply. They are not complicated advice but rather simple and realistic suggestions that can lead to significant and sustainable improvements in our quality of life.
Abdi’s World is a delightful book about life, running, and living that fills you with inspiration, leaving you surprised at how quickly you’ve finished it. It’s a refreshing read that introduces readers to the world through Abdi’s eyes with warmth and wisdom.
My Favorite Bits
If you compare yourself to others and try to take on their journeys, you lose sight of where you want to go.
Abdi Abdirahman, Abdi’s World: The Black Cactus on Life, Running, and Fun
I have no desire to argue with anybody. I don’t try to change other people’s opinions, and I make sure other people aren’t pushing their opinions on me. I’ll say my two cents and I want to listen to yours. If we don’t see eye to eye, we can still be friend or we can part ways. But I won’t waste my time or yours trying to make you see the world my way.
Abdi Abdirahman, Abdi’s World: The Black Cactus on Life, Running, and Fun
I don’t really allow myself to have regrets–regrets lead to stagnation because you can’t change what has already happened. Really, what we consider regret is usually just an opportunity to grow.
Abdi Abdirahman, Abdi’s World: The Black Cactus on Life, Running, and Fun
A big part of why transitions are important is that they are, by definition, a move from what has been to what will be. And once you accept that reality, you can clear your mind of a lot of confusion and fear. Letting go of the pars can be hard because there is comfort there–even if it includes bad experiences–and the future is, also by definition, uncertain. But if you see that what is in the past isn’t helping you create what you want in the days ahead, letting go is exactly what you must do.
Abdi Abdirahman, Abdi’s World: The Black Cactus on Life, Running, and Fun
I have strong opinions, too, but often keep the most controversial of them to myself. I don’t want to misspeak or have my words misinterpreted. I don’t like the negativity that comes with addressing these topics, to be honest. I want us all to get along.
Abdi Abdirahman, Abdi’s World: The Black Cactus on Life, Running, and Fun
Author: Abdi Abdirahman and Myles Schrag
Publication date: 14 October 2021
Number of pages: 240 pages
