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3.8 AVERAGE
3.8 AVERAGE
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
Enjoyed thinking of it as a metaphor on what matters when you try to organize and plan your life.
3.8 ⭐️ I liked this book, might even consider getting into running. I'm also glad I now have a more human perspective on Haruki Murakami.
I am not a runner. I am a fan of Ronan Farrow, and he mentioned that after writing Catch and Kill and getting more time in his life he had books by Haruki Murakami waiting in his Audible account (I think, at least this is how I remember it). This motivated me to investigate Murakami's works and this one caught my eye.
I am also not a writer, but I can imagine that finishing a book is much like finishing a marathon. Murakami is a committed runner having finished many marathons, an ultra-marathon, and triathlons. What I loved about this book is that it is about being committed to something for long stretches of time, the day-to-day pain of it all, and the satisfaction it brings when you reach a personal goal.
I will remember this book when I am faced with something hard to accomplish. It will remind me of the universal struggle to commit to a goal and see it through. I loved listening to this book as I exercised. It may not be Murakami's most popular book, but I found it instructive in so many ways. He writes about trying to get better at swimming for his triathalon goal, and he had had coaches in the past that didn't really seem to help him improve. He eventually finds a coach that has him isolate movements as he swims, forcing himself to swim without rotation then adding it back in little-by-little. This technique taught him how to perfect his stroke and rotation and even breathing. If I can use this method for other new skills beyond swimming, I think I can learn a lot from this idea. The book is quiet sort of get-in-his-head sort of exploration of life. I found it at the right time, and I think that is the key to liking this book.
I am also not a writer, but I can imagine that finishing a book is much like finishing a marathon. Murakami is a committed runner having finished many marathons, an ultra-marathon, and triathlons. What I loved about this book is that it is about being committed to something for long stretches of time, the day-to-day pain of it all, and the satisfaction it brings when you reach a personal goal.
I will remember this book when I am faced with something hard to accomplish. It will remind me of the universal struggle to commit to a goal and see it through. I loved listening to this book as I exercised. It may not be Murakami's most popular book, but I found it instructive in so many ways. He writes about trying to get better at swimming for his triathalon goal, and he had had coaches in the past that didn't really seem to help him improve. He eventually finds a coach that has him isolate movements as he swims, forcing himself to swim without rotation then adding it back in little-by-little. This technique taught him how to perfect his stroke and rotation and even breathing. If I can use this method for other new skills beyond swimming, I think I can learn a lot from this idea. The book is quiet sort of get-in-his-head sort of exploration of life. I found it at the right time, and I think that is the key to liking this book.
“If you’re going to wile away the years, it’s far better to live them with clear goals and fully alive than in a fog.”
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
Anfangs fand ich es langweilig; da ich aber auch laufe, fand ich seine Gedanken spannend.
The story of a man who choose to run in addition to writing novels and how these both activities benefits each other. It was a breath of fresh air to get to know not only obvious scientific advantages but also the real experiences of what it meant to run long distances physically, emotionally, psychologically and in the middle of other usual life expectancies.
Marathons, ultra-marathons, triathlons - he did it all, but not everything was lined with roses.
The book was great to listen to. The whole narrative was interesting and expressed vividly. Imagination and impersonation was running wild by each heard word. Even though my longest run distance is only 12 km. by my standards I was feeling empathy for what he does and truly understand the whole running community.
Thank you for the recommendation!
Marathons, ultra-marathons, triathlons - he did it all, but not everything was lined with roses.
The book was great to listen to. The whole narrative was interesting and expressed vividly. Imagination and impersonation was running wild by each heard word. Even though my longest run distance is only 12 km. by my standards I was feeling empathy for what he does and truly understand the whole running community.
Thank you for the recommendation!
I wouldn’t exactly recommend this book, but it’s interesting enough if you enjoy running. There are no grand theories about the sport; Murakami basically tells stories from various races and points in his running training. I listened to the audiobook when I was running, so hearing him talk about his persistence was somewhat motivating. Whether it was his writing style, the narrator, or both, however, the book came off a little deadpan. There was also that awkward part where he described the pretty young college freshmen girls running by the Charles River…
4.5/5
I first read What I Talk About When I Talk About Running a few years ago, back when I was just starting to take running seriously. Even then, I found it insightful and quietly inspiring. But coming back to it now, as a more seasoned and committed runner, the book hits completely differently — and in the best way.
Murakami has this understated, reflective tone that makes everything feel both deeply personal and strangely universal. He doesn’t try to romanticize running or make it sound heroic. Instead, he talks about it with the kind of honesty only another runner could fully appreciate — the early mornings, the aching legs, the mental walls you hit and the small victories that come from simply pushing through.
What resonated most with me this time around was how clearly he understands what all runners experience at some point: the need to push past your limits, to keep going when your body is yelling at you to stop. I loved reading about his races, his marathons, and especially his foray into triathlons. His storytelling is never flashy, but it’s full of grit, subtle humor, and humility.
As much as it’s a book about running, it’s also a book about life — about getting older, finding your rhythm, and showing up every day to do something hard because it matters to you. That part of it really moved me, even beyond the running stuff.
Whether you’re a runner or not, this book has a quiet kind of wisdom that sticks with you. But if you are a runner — especially one who’s ever questioned why you do this to yourself — it’ll feel like Murakami is speaking directly to you.
I first read What I Talk About When I Talk About Running a few years ago, back when I was just starting to take running seriously. Even then, I found it insightful and quietly inspiring. But coming back to it now, as a more seasoned and committed runner, the book hits completely differently — and in the best way.
Murakami has this understated, reflective tone that makes everything feel both deeply personal and strangely universal. He doesn’t try to romanticize running or make it sound heroic. Instead, he talks about it with the kind of honesty only another runner could fully appreciate — the early mornings, the aching legs, the mental walls you hit and the small victories that come from simply pushing through.
What resonated most with me this time around was how clearly he understands what all runners experience at some point: the need to push past your limits, to keep going when your body is yelling at you to stop. I loved reading about his races, his marathons, and especially his foray into triathlons. His storytelling is never flashy, but it’s full of grit, subtle humor, and humility.
As much as it’s a book about running, it’s also a book about life — about getting older, finding your rhythm, and showing up every day to do something hard because it matters to you. That part of it really moved me, even beyond the running stuff.
Whether you’re a runner or not, this book has a quiet kind of wisdom that sticks with you. But if you are a runner — especially one who’s ever questioned why you do this to yourself — it’ll feel like Murakami is speaking directly to you.
hopeful
informative
reflective
slow-paced