|
Micah True (November 10, 1953 – March 27, 2012), born Michael Randall Hickman and also known as Caballo Blanco (white horse), was an American ultrarunner from Boulder, Colorado, who received attention because of his depiction as a central character in Christopher McDougall's book ''Born to Run''. True's inclusion in the book garnered him some attention in ultrarunning circles, and some readers credited him as their inspiration for taking up the sport. During the 1980s and 90s True spent several months per year trail running in Central America. In 2003 True decided to organize a race for the Tarahumara people in Mexico that would help them preserve their culture and running heritage. True died on March 27, 2012, during a run in the Gila Wilderness, part of the Gila National Forest in southwestern New Mexico. ==Life== Micah True was born ''Michael Randall Hickman'' in Oakland, California, the son of a World War II Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant and the second of four children.〔 He grew up traveling the country as his family relocated to various nationally located Marine Corps bases.〔 His family was conservative Roman Catholic, but True aligned himself with the counter-culture movement of the 1960s and 70s.〔 True attended Humboldt State University, where he studied Eastern religions and Native American history.〔 To earn money he began prizefighting in informal boxing bouts, using the name "Gypsy Cowboy," and perhaps taking the occasional dive for an easy payday.〔〔 prizefighting in college pp.276-277. returned to Colorado p.281.〕 Between 1974 and 1982, Hickman was a professional middleweight boxer, fighting under the name Mike "True" Hickman. His career record was 9 wins (KO 2), 11 losses (KO 9), and 0 draws. At some point True spent 10 months living in a cave in Hawaii where he fell in love with a rich girl.〔 It was when she left him, he said, that he took up long-distance running.〔 He also changed his name from Michael Hickman to Micah True.〔 (The name Micah comes from the Bible, while True came from the name of a beloved pet: True Dog.)〔 By 1982 True had moved to Boulder, Colorado, where he began working as a self-employed furniture mover. By then he had become a "trailrunning bum" (like a "surfing bum or a climbing bum").〔 For almost 20 years, he spent winters running in Mexico, Guatemala, and Central America, averaging per week. He would return to Boulder during the summers to earn enough money to live on the rest of the year.〔 Among villagers he became known as "El Caballo Blanco" or "The White Horse" for his long blond hair and pale skin.〔 In 1993 True came in contact with the Tarahumara or Rarámuri runners from Chihuahua, Mexico. In 1994 he began spending his winters running in the Copper Canyons, where he built a hut and began establishing a relationship with the Tarahumara natives.〔 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア(Wikipedia)』 ■ウィキペディアで「Micah True」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
|