What I Talk About When I Talk About Running
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- Create Date：2021-09-18 08:53:01
- Update Date：2025-09-06
- Status：finish
- Author：Haruki Murakami
- ISBN：0099526158
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Summary
A compelling mediation on the power of running and a fascinating insight into the life of this internationally bestselling writer。
In 1982， having sold his jazz bar to devote himself to writing， Murakami began running to keep fit。 A year later， he'd completed a solo course from Athens to Marathon， and now， after dozens of such races， he reflects upon the influence the sport has had on his life and on his writing。
Equal parts travelogue， training log and reminiscence， this revealing memoir covers his four-month preparation for the 2005 New York City Marathon and settings ranging from Tokyo's Jingu Gaien gardens， where he once shared the course with an Olympian， to the Charles River in Boston。
By turns funny and sobering， playful and philosophical， this is a must-read for fans of this masterful yet private writer as well as for the exploding population of athletes who find similar satisfaction in distance running。
An alternative cover edition for this ISBN can be found here。
In 1982， having sold his jazz bar to devote himself to writing， Murakami began running to keep fit。 A year later， he'd completed a solo course from Athens to Marathon， and now， after dozens of such races， he reflects upon the influence the sport has had on his life and on his writing。
Equal parts travelogue， training log and reminiscence， this revealing memoir covers his four-month preparation for the 2005 New York City Marathon and settings ranging from Tokyo's Jingu Gaien gardens， where he once shared the course with an Olympian， to the Charles River in Boston。
By turns funny and sobering， playful and philosophical， this is a must-read for fans of this masterful yet private writer as well as for the exploding population of athletes who find similar satisfaction in distance running。
An alternative cover edition for this ISBN can be found here。
Reviews
Giulia Corsi
，
prima opera che leggo di murakami， mi ha colpito l'onestà con cui ha riportato i pensieri e le sensazioni legate alla corsa e alle competizioni， ritrovandomici spesso in riferimento a quel breve periodo di tempo in cui l'ho praticata。da sottolineare l'analisi di diversi momenti fondamentali della sua esistenza in relazione alla carriera e alla quotidianità della sua vita da scrittore e corridore。 prima opera che leggo di murakami， mi ha colpito l'onestà con cui ha riportato i pensieri e le sensazioni legate alla corsa e alle competizioni， ritrovandomici spesso in riferimento a quel breve periodo di tempo in cui l'ho praticata。da sottolineare l'analisi di diversi momenti fondamentali della sua esistenza in relazione alla carriera e alla quotidianità della sua vita da scrittore e corridore。 。。。more
Anthony Stewart
，
I love Murakami's perspective in writing this book。 It's not a health or fitness book。 It's about the place that running takes in his life。 It's metaphorical power， as well as how it makes up part of his identity。 He goes in depth on his philosophical ideas about the act of running， as well as discussing how his process' of writing and running a business have manifested themselves in the sport。I'm not a runner， but I find the ideas in the book valuable when considering my own pursuits outside my I love Murakami's perspective in writing this book。 It's not a health or fitness book。 It's about the place that running takes in his life。 It's metaphorical power， as well as how it makes up part of his identity。 He goes in depth on his philosophical ideas about the act of running， as well as discussing how his process' of writing and running a business have manifested themselves in the sport。I'm not a runner， but I find the ideas in the book valuable when considering my own pursuits outside my career。 Early in the novel he says "Pain is inevitable， but suffering is a choice。" There are certainly exceptions to the latter part of that rule， but it is useful to consider how we can inject the choice of suffering in our lifelong pursuits to built character， resilience， and purpose in our lives。 I always connect with Murakami's writing， and this book was no exception。 I expect I will read it in the next 5-10 years and search for more pieces that will fortify my process and encourage me into other interests。 。。。more
Wesley
，
I'm not a fan of memoirs usually， especially a writer talking about writing but Murakami of course found a way to write a novelist's memoir not about writing。 As an amateur writer and runner myself this book hit especially close to home。My biggest takeaway was measuring your running efforts in time spent as opposed to miles logged。 I've switched my tracking to be time based since reading that passage and it's helped me with my training in a major way。 I'm not a fan of memoirs usually， especially a writer talking about writing but Murakami of course found a way to write a novelist's memoir not about writing。 As an amateur writer and runner myself this book hit especially close to home。My biggest takeaway was measuring your running efforts in time spent as opposed to miles logged。 I've switched my tracking to be time based since reading that passage and it's helped me with my training in a major way。 。。。more
Jane
，
I admire Murakami， I have found some real treasures in his writings before but unintentionally did not read anything from him in years， so I was eager to pick up something new。 I had this book on my TBR since 2013！ Just 188 pages but somehow it still took me a week to finish。 The book is definitely slow， he does not only talk about running but also about his writing， his life。 Did it make me think about starting to run myself， yes absolutely。 Will I really do it？ Well my running shoes are ready I admire Murakami， I have found some real treasures in his writings before but unintentionally did not read anything from him in years， so I was eager to pick up something new。 I had this book on my TBR since 2013！ Just 188 pages but somehow it still took me a week to finish。 The book is definitely slow， he does not only talk about running but also about his writing， his life。 Did it make me think about starting to run myself， yes absolutely。 Will I really do it？ Well my running shoes are ready but I still need to bring myself to step outside。 I would recommend this book to runners， writers and Murakami fans。 。。。more
Naomi Brearley
，
Listened to the audiobook for this in one day （ish） and my gosh this was a fun listen。 You don’t have to be a runner to love & connect with the insights Murakami shared here （I’m not a runner） and so much of his personal philosophy re: running can be applied to life in general。 Loved this - more Murakami is definitely in my future！
Aniket Samant
，
A very easy read， and quite understandable if you're into long-distance running on a regular basis。 Some of Murakami's experiences and views - especially that he decided to run daily for the rest of his life on a whim， the familiarity felt when crossing paths with a fellow runner， and that one doesn't really need to be externally motivated to become a runner - are something I could relate very strongly to， and reading the book made me feel connected to Murakami right away。 It probably wouldn't c A very easy read， and quite understandable if you're into long-distance running on a regular basis。 Some of Murakami's experiences and views - especially that he decided to run daily for the rest of his life on a whim， the familiarity felt when crossing paths with a fellow runner， and that one doesn't really need to be externally motivated to become a runner - are something I could relate very strongly to， and reading the book made me feel connected to Murakami right away。 It probably wouldn't come off as a very interesting read otherwise （especially to those who aren't into running） and is certainly not the best work of literature - maybe the translation is to blame。 It has a very simple writing style nevertheless and is quite easy to follow - and it's also refreshing to read about Murakami's experiences in several places （the book reads like a diary of sorts）， so overall it makes for a nice， leisurely short read。 。。。more
Bohdan
，
Хороша книга。 Про життя і про біг。 Я відчув。 Сподіваюсь що відчув。
Lizzie Bussard
，
2。5 I wanted to like this so badly， but I think Murakami just isn’t for me… I appreciate how much heart he put into this and there were parts that I found really valuable and insightful。 Unfortunately overall I just don’t really like being in his head？ Whether that be fiction or non-fiction， his musings just aren’t my jam。
Caroline
，
3。5 “it is precisely because of the pain， because we want to overcome that pain， that we can get the feeling， through this process， or really being alive- or at least a partial sense of it”
Eswar
，
Easy read that gives insight to Haruki Murakami’s thoughts。 As a few year old runner that dreams about writing books， the parallels that Murakami offers between the two activities was illuminating。 Most insightful was that one day he just picked up running， the same way he just picked up writing。 Similarly， I just started abruptly with my running one day。 Maybe the lesson to learn is that we should all listen to our body and mind - do what we are told to do， not by others， but from ourselves。
Alex Mair
，
they way Murakami talks about the joys of giving all your heart into pointless things， so that only the effort， knowledge of effort， remains。。。。。he is simply the dude
Elena
，
For the life of me I cannot understand the torture people put themselves through with these ultra mega marathons。 He admits himself after a while that it took all the joy out of running for him， all after stating for so many pages how soothing and lovely running every day was for him。 I mean I guess we are all torturing ourselves in different ways and this is his drug of choice but this is what it is: an addiction。 And it's not a healthy one despite all they're saying。 You're simply destroying y For the life of me I cannot understand the torture people put themselves through with these ultra mega marathons。 He admits himself after a while that it took all the joy out of running for him， all after stating for so many pages how soothing and lovely running every day was for him。 I mean I guess we are all torturing ourselves in different ways and this is his drug of choice but this is what it is: an addiction。 And it's not a healthy one despite all they're saying。 You're simply destroying your body with excess exercise。That being said I have enjoyed the first part when he was talking about his writing experience （which somehow came to him so effortlessly in a way）， how he was forced to choose between writing and his business， about how he got into running， how good it was for him， the beautiful descriptions of places he's been running in。I guess it's a 2。5/3 for me。 The first half really got me thinking about getting back into light jogging as well as writing in the morning so I can't give it less than that。 。。。more
Dheeraj Nakhwa
，
I only started running only last year and coincidentally at around the same age at which Murakami started running。 I had no idea that Murakami is a Marathon runner。 For some reason this book hits close to home。 He does talk about lessons but also life in general and presents many points which I have only realised recently myself。 This book was a delight to read and a nice change of pace from the fictional world of books that I live in！
Maria BF
，
Just the right book I needed to read as I restart my running practice
Miguel Rios Valverde
，
Un libro que te motiva a probar el footing desde la experiencia de un novelista que corre para sentirse bien。
Mirela Petre
，
Am ascultat-o， ca audiobook。Memoir drăguț， pe alocuri plictisitor， despre scris și despre alergat și ce au în comun。 Din păcate， n-am găsit nicio idee nouă sau ceva care să mă antreneze。Disclaimer: nu-mi place Murakami de obicei， nu ne potrivim， și nici nu sunt alergătoare （încă， mă bate gândul deocamdată）。
Astrid Carrillo
，
Alguien me dijo que cuando leyó este libro sentía que ella lo había escrito。 Si， pasa algo así， supongo todos pensamos un poco parecido sobre el dolor al hacer ejercicio， tus logros y fracasos en la vida y que traspolamos a ese momento en el que ya no puedes más。 5 estrellas al Sr。 Murakami que siempre pone buen soundtrack en sus libros 📚 👌
Moorea
，
Wow i…。have so much respect for murakami’s novels but really did not like this。 Lots of body negativity， judgement， and hubris throughout。 This is not the ode to running I anticipated。 I have gotten back into running recently and was excited for this and I certainly misunderstood the premise。（Also， there is nothing wrong with walking during a race。 I believe my biggest mistake during my first half was having too much pride to take walk breaks when I desperately needed them）
Rohan Sachidanand
，
Being a runner， this memoir gives a perspective of a writer/runner as aging descends on him。 Good short read。
Registro Luego Existo
，
Con muchas ganas de volver a correr！
Evan Parsons
，
Not particularly satisfying as a Murakami book， or as a book about running。 But it won’t ruin your day either。
Clayton Wert
，
Really enjoyed this book。 A process on physical fitness， creativity， looking at life in general。 Love Murakami。
Priya V Salagundla
，
For a person who just started taking running seriously， I could not think of a better time to have come across this gem。 I like to run for the exact reasons Murakami runs - to clear my mind， to keep a good healthy mental balance， to organize my ideas and to detox the junk in my brain。 Running is such an enjoyable form of cruising that you don't need to think about anything else where as in other forms of exercise you need to count reps or think about what you are going to do next etc。， which all For a person who just started taking running seriously， I could not think of a better time to have come across this gem。 I like to run for the exact reasons Murakami runs - to clear my mind， to keep a good healthy mental balance， to organize my ideas and to detox the junk in my brain。 Running is such an enjoyable form of cruising that you don't need to think about anything else where as in other forms of exercise you need to count reps or think about what you are going to do next etc。， which allows you to just cruise thru your thoughts。 Coming to the actual content of the book， this is not a how-to or tips on long distance running kinda book。 It's rather a simple yet beautifully put together life experiences of Murakami on how he got into running， how he navigated the challenges along the way and how he kept going。 This book is refreshing in so many ways。 First of all he puts out his experiences in such a way telling exactly when to give all in you have and beyond what you have and when you should come to peace with what you can and are able to achieve。 I loved his perspective on running and exercise in general。 "Having the kind of body that easily puts on weight is perhaps a blessing in disguise。 In other words， if I don’t want to gain weight I have to work out hard every day， watch what I eat， and cut down on indulgences。 People who naturally keep the weight off don’t need to exercise or watch their diet。 Which is why， in many cases， their physical strength deteriorates as they age。 Those of us who have a tendency to gain weight should consider ourselves lucky that the red light is so clearly visible。 Of course， it’s not always easy to see things this way。" I easily gain weight within days of not moving my body as I should and I always get frustrated how unfair everyone's bodies were created and how some people can stay slim all the time without absolutely doing anything but I have never actually think of it the way that Murakami said。 This actually changed the way I look at my body and how I treat exercise and everything in general now。Also it's amazing how he normalizes everything he achieved。 How he put efforts into every single skill he acquired over the years unlike a naturally gifted writer or other gifted talents。 Not everyone will have the natural ability to do certain things in the life but that shouldn't put them away from achieving because there is nothing you cannot achieve or acquire with passion， hardwork and consistency。 It may take months or even years to get to the point but nothing in this world is impossible。 Murakami's swimming experience is the perfect example for this。Overall a really good memoir around a novelist who is also a ultramarathoner。 。。。more
Rumman Kabir
，
Murakami describes his adventures in running。 one thing is clear that he really puts effort into his interests and doesnt get attached to the outcome。
lauren bee
，
This book was a valuable read to learn more about Murakami's thoughts and process。 The book focused mainly on running， but it inspired me to consider my own process and drive for various hobbies in my life， including my writing process。 Also - you're never too young nor old to start something or continue pursuing your goals and finding communities to connect to。However， always take Murakami with a grain of salt as he can come across as quite arrogant （and sexist） - though sometimes honesty in me This book was a valuable read to learn more about Murakami's thoughts and process。 The book focused mainly on running， but it inspired me to consider my own process and drive for various hobbies in my life， including my writing process。 Also - you're never too young nor old to start something or continue pursuing your goals and finding communities to connect to。However， always take Murakami with a grain of salt as he can come across as quite arrogant （and sexist） - though sometimes honesty in memoirs can come across as arrogant。 Regardless， a recommended read。 。。。more
Saskia
，
I enjoyed listening to this book and learning more about Murakami's journey with running and his person。 Running with his calm and calculated thoughts in my head was particularly nice。 It’s always interesting to see the world from someone else’s perspective， and finding similarities and differences。 He seems incredibly self aware， but as he rightly comments， I don’t think we’d get along well。 And that’s ok。 As he says “Forgive me for stating the obvious， but the world is made up of all kinds of I enjoyed listening to this book and learning more about Murakami's journey with running and his person。 Running with his calm and calculated thoughts in my head was particularly nice。 It’s always interesting to see the world from someone else’s perspective， and finding similarities and differences。 He seems incredibly self aware， but as he rightly comments， I don’t think we’d get along well。 And that’s ok。 As he says “Forgive me for stating the obvious， but the world is made up of all kinds of people。”I found his comments on global warming were outdated and uninformed， which I’ll forgive for being from a different time （2005 was already 16 years ago？ Crazy）。 He also seemed to contradict himself， when saying that he didn’t compare himself to other runners and didn’t care about time， but then continually did both of those things。 Particularly when he talked about the speedy Harvard girls， it sounded a bit belittling to me。 I also wish he had spoken a bit more about what his wife and family thought about his running， as it seems that many of his journeys are motivated by this passion。 But perhaps those are unfair criticisms， as they are my personal opinions and it is a personal memoir。 In this regard， I appreciate much of his wisdom。 Particularly: “I have only a few reasons to keep on running， and a truckload of them to quit。 All I can do is keep those few reasons nicely polished。” 。。。more
Sara Lind
，
I liked it。 An ode to running。 It's a pretty 'niche' book: I would say it's definitely for people who like running or are interested to start running。 As a runner myself， I'm not convinced though that I should run a marathon or do a triathlon。 The pain and amount of training he describes don't necessarily sound appealing to me and worth the feeling of pride at the end。 I liked it。 An ode to running。 It's a pretty 'niche' book: I would say it's definitely for people who like running or are interested to start running。 As a runner myself， I'm not convinced though that I should run a marathon or do a triathlon。 The pain and amount of training he describes don't necessarily sound appealing to me and worth the feeling of pride at the end。 。。。more
Mikayla Gawarecki
，
I’m surprised that he writes the books that he does。 Read some reviews that he sounded like a jerk in this book but I actually enjoyed his personality。 Something about this book felt very slow and meditative。 Although the book was short it was difficult to read too much of it at once。
Vicky Pilkington
，
A memoir about how running has shaped the author"s life。 Quite an interesting read but I was expecting it to be more motivational than it was。 A memoir about how running has shaped the author"s life。 Quite an interesting read but I was expecting it to be more motivational than it was。 。。。more
Benedetta
，