What I Talk About When I Talk About Running | 
“I‘ll be happy if running and I can grow old together.”
“My time, the rank I attain, my outward appearance—all of these are secondary. For a runner like me, what‘s really important is reaching the goal I set myself, under my own power. I give it everything I h, endure what needed enduring, and am able, in my own way, to be satisfied.”
Couldn‘t have expressed this better myself. Enjoyed his perspective about running & writing.
#CoverStories Day 16: #Running - as Iphigene wrote in her review: “This book isn‘t for everyone. It is first and foremost for people who know Murakami and who want to understand the man behind the fiction. It is also for runners. I have a feeling that runners could relate to his experiences—the challenges and pleasure in the sport. It is for loners, for those who seek to be understood.” Full review: https://wp.me/pDlzr-1Wc
pickAs a beginner runner, I find Murakami‘s musings on the sensation of “running-as-necessity” perfect. For him, he uses his long distance joys as a parallel, and tool, for constructing the frame of mind he needs to write books. Simple and meditative, this book was a comfort to read, as nerves begin to mount for my first marathon.
pickI really enjoyed the meandering thoughts laid upon the thin thread of a “end goal race” plot. Murakami‘s fiction always touch on something profound, this does likewise but in an oddly lighter way. It left me refreshed and invigorated from all the thinking (no running necessary).
so-soAfter racing through Born to Run practically feeling the wind in my hair, Murakami‘s meandering ruminations on his running practice, writing practice, health, and his own personality didn‘t do too much for me. His fatphobia was painful to read as well. If you‘re a writer and an established long distance runner or just a serious Murakami fan who‘s already read everything else he‘s written, this book would be for you.
so-soInteresting musings on running & writing as a way of life. But overall not a must read for fans of either subject. While somewhat fitting that it was anticlimactic… any runner who bonked a race will understand… it wasn‘t particularly inspiring & didn‘t have a cohesive purpose.
pickStarted training for my marathon in November.
Murakami and I seem to have similar musings while running.
😬😬🏃♀️🏃🏃♂️💨💨💨
pickI‘ve been running consistently for just over 4 years and it‘s been an absolute lifesaver for my sanity, especially during the dark days of Covid. And as a big Murakami fan, I can‘t believe I didn‘t pick up this short memoir sooner. I really enjoyed listening to his musings on running and writing, even when I couldn‘t relate to them - I‘m not a distance runner and have no interest in marathons. Extra fun to listen to this while running ☺️🏃🏼♀️
Diving in this weekend! Murakami!
pickI decided to read this even though I've been told it wasn't very good. Since I've been challenging myself a lot recently with running, I found this a fascinating read. Murakami was more relatable than Meb in 26 Marathons because he is more a recreational runner. He rambles on about the nuances of aging, being a writer, being a runner, and a normal human that is just tyring to live a worthwhile life. It made me laugh and think a lot about my life
pickI felt good by the end, sort of like I‘d just finished a quick run with a friend, chatting the whole time to keep a reasonable pace. Murakami‘s ideas scale to shorter distances, though you also get a feel for how your pain changes when you push further. This captures so much of what makes up the loneliness of any distance runner, many considerations I had not pondered before but then caught myself nodding in agreement with how Murakami phrased it.
“You have to wait until tomorrow to find out what tomorrow will bring.”
“Once Halloween is over, winter, like some capable tax collector, sets in, consciously and silently” (89).
This was both powerful and amusing, when in the book Murakami said this is what he would like on his headstone when he passes. Identifying himself as writer and runner, “Atleast he never walked”.
pickAs an avid runner myself, this book was an absolute treat to read. I‘ve read several of Murakami‘s fiction works but I am conflicted on how I feel about them, because magical realism isn‘t one of my favourite genres. But I loved this running autobiography. It‘s so insightful and strikes all the right chords with a fellow athlete. I definitely recommend!
End of Day 1 of the #24B4Monday Readathon
Read for 4 hrs 53 mins, reading 280 pages and finishing 1 book.
How are you doing?
pickThis was my sixth Haruki Murakami book this month for #AuthoraMonth.
I enjoyed this most of all of them, talking about the role of running within his life and how this has become a much greater challenge as he has got older and his running times have deteriorated. I like the way he also linked up his writing to the challenges in his writing. Under 200 pages (192) but still a very good read, and read it all last night and in the early hours.
pickI was surprised at how much I enjoyed this. I‘m incredibly unathletic, but I was watching the L.A. Marathon from my window as I listened and now have a better understanding of why anyone would want to do such a thing! There‘s also a lot about Murakami‘s writing, which is ultimately why this book worked for me. I‘m reading “The Rat” trilogy and am seeing bits of Murakami‘s life seeping into the settings and characters. 4/5🎽
#authoramonth
pickI‘ve never really liked running, but I enjoyed reading this...memoir? essay collection? series of vignettes?
It‘s an interesting insight into the author‘s writing process and training regimen, plus a bit of autobiography and self deprecating humor. There was also a nice little aside about his project to translate Gatsby into Japanese. I‘ve heard his fiction works are a little weird, but this is pretty straightforward and accessible. #authoramonth
pickHaruki writes beautifully with organic metaphors of the parallels of being a runner and a writer.
“It‘s far better to live your life with clear goals and be fully alive than in a fog. Exerting yourself to the fullest within your individual Limits: that‘s the essence of running....and for writing as well.” Enjoyed this!
#authoramonth2020
#memoirmonday
#magnificentmarch
« There‘s a wise saying that goes like this : a gentleman never discusses women he‘s broken up with or how much tax he‘s paid. »
#firstlinefridays
@ShyBookOwl
pickI didn‘t understand that when I moved to East Tennessee, I‘d moved to a ground zero for people doing outdoor activities. The AT, tough mudders, triathlons, marathons, etc. I didn‘t get it.
Happiness for me = book & blanket
I think this writing by Murakami embodies the appeal of those activities that my friends found. It‘s a little about competition but more about consistency and beauty. 4⭐️
#authoramonth @Soubhiville
so-soThis isn‘t the book I was expecting. I thought I‘d feel inspired to lace up my sneakers, get outside and run, maybe not sprint but at least get motivated. Murakami isn‘t writing that book. This is more of an inner workings of his mind, his thought process towards writing, aging, staying focused and enduring. It was thoughtful and mindful but not necessarily empowering or rousing(at least for me). Just ok. #AuthorAMonth
If I‘m not reading then I‘m listening 🎧#AuthorAMonth now if I can only start running 🏃🏻♀️ 😉
so-soThis was an interesting short collection of essays on running and writing. I wish it had skewed more towards writing, but I enjoyed the peek into Murakami‘s mind and process.
“I find spending an hour or two every day running alone, not speaking to anyone, as well as four or five hours alone at my #desk, to be neither difficult nor boring. I‘ve had this tendency ever since I was young, when, given a choice, I much preferred reading books on my own or concentrating on listening to music over being with someone else. I could always think of things to do by myself.” #QuotsyJan20
panI did not really enjoy this book.The gist of the book is all the reasons why the author likes running. But it has surely made me decide that it's high time since I take up running as an exercise xD
pickExcellent memoir even if it‘s about a sport, but the many references to discipline, writing and goals made it a very enjoyable memoir. My favourite Murakami so far.
Finished Murakami's memoir, "What I Talk About When I Talk About Running". Murakmai relates running with life itself. He states that we can't control the pain or sorrow that life throws at us, but we can decide on how we will approach the situation. This book will open your mind to think more positively! I highly recommend it!
Trying to motivate myself! Getting out the door is hard but I‘m always glad I went for a run when I‘m done ✅ Also trying to make peace with the fact that as I age I am slowing down. #bfc3 #bookfitnesschallenge #audiobook #read
pick5⭐️ could definitely see myself re-reading this when I need a bit of motivation, hopefully this can give me a push to run outside 😬
pickSo this week my #bookfitnesschallenge is a bit later I was far away from society and just coming back.... My 30 days challenge is going slower than expected but there is progress...the best is my reading progress. I am crashing it!
#BFCr2
#bfc
pickQuick, interesting and inspiring as I began a journey toward learning to jog. From an author who wrote one of my favorite novels.
The pollen count was finally low enough to venture out for a quick run. No audiobook, but a lovely chat with my husband - I jogged alongside him while he walked. Love these quiet vacation mornings. Got some reading in this morning as well - finished The Countess Conspiracy and Essential Scrum, and got a few more chapters into Leadership in Turbulent Times.
"Nothing in the real world is as beautiful as the illusion of a person about to loose consciousness."
so-soThis held my interest to a certain extent but that was mostly because I was doing work outside, had no other options, and it was fairly short.
"All I do is keep on running in my own cozy, homemade void, my own nostalgic silence. And this is a pretty wonderful thing...”
He may not be #borntorun, but running plays a big role in Murakami's life. This memoir gives a glimpse of the man himself, where he reflects on his passion for long-distance running, its relevance to writing, and the connection between running and life. I enjoyed this, my first Murakami. #marchintothe70s
pick“Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional.”
