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3.8 AVERAGE
3.8 AVERAGE
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
[a:Haruki Murakami|3354|Haruki Murakami|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1470611596p2/3354.jpg] shares many personal experiences and insightful thoughts in this book, but during this particular time that I listened to it, I really appreciated the section where he talks about the mental fallout he calls "runners blues." Murakami describes a period of time where he lost enthusiasm for running after he completed an ultramarathon. Lately I've felt something similar after concluding my year of 15 half marathons, emotionally feeling very disconnected from something that's historically been so uplifting and a huge part of how I overcome depression. It is reassuring to hear about a similar experience from a much more serious runner and know that this can be just a temporary slump, and that the feeling of mechanical plodding can eventually give way to joyful footfalls once again.
adventurous
reflective
fast-paced
"People sometimes sneer at those who run every day, claiming they'll go to any length to live longer. But don't think that's the reason most people run. Most runners run not because they want to live longer, but because they want to live life to the fullest. If you're going to while away the years, it's far better to live them with clear goals and fully alive than in a fog, and I believe running helps you to do that. Exerting yourself to the fullest within your individual limits: that's the essence of running..."
I came across this quote on Facebook, and when I traced it to Haruki Murakami's memoir What I Talk About When I Talk About Running, I knew I had to add the book to my to-read list. The quote itself articulates so precisely how I feel about running, and the book title plays on Raymond Carver's What We Talk About When We Talk About Love, one of my favorite short fiction collections. When I read it as part of an American Short Story class I took my junior year of college, I was struck by how such spare prose about the ordinary everyday could also be so stirring and profound. I found parallels in Murakami's writing. His personal musings about running and writing are deceptively casual and simple. We hear about how he became a writer and a runner, his training for his annual marathons and occasional triathlons, and his experience running the original marathon course in Greece for a magazine article he was writing. He meanders into other areas of his life--hobbies, interests, occupations--so that you might begin to wonder whether the memoir is too scattered to amount to much. But I ended up feeling I had been allowed an honest and intimate look at Murakami, as if he considered the reader a potential friend. I gained a deep appreciation for his relationship with running, an appreciation that opened up my understanding of my own relationship with running. So many of the vague notions I've had about running, which had never crystallized into fully formed ideas, Murakami expressed in a way that provoked me again and again as I read to think "Yes! Exactly!" I ended up copying down my favorites, which included:
"I could feel myself running but had no sensation of running."
"By then running had entered the realm of the metaphysical. First there came the action of running, and accompanying it there was this entity known as me. I run; therefore I am."
"A wave of relief washed over me--relief that I didn't have to run anymore. It always feels wonderful to finish a marathon--it's a beautiful thing..."
"Even when I grow old and feeble, when people warn me it's about time to throw in the towel, I won't care. As long as my body allows, I'll keep on running. Even if my time gets worse--I'll keep on putting in as much effort--perhaps even more effort--toward my goal of finishing a marathon. I don't care what others say--that's just my nature, the way I am. Like cicadas cling to trees, salmon swim upstream to where they were born, and wild ducks mate for life."
"I'll be happy if running and I can grow old together."
This last one was like a punch in the gut. I realized that running is more than something I do--it is something separate, a companion to me. And If I were ever to lose it, I would miss it like the dearest friend. I finished What I Talk About When I Talk About Running on a train to NYC, and found myself trying to hold back tears. I'm not sure someone who isn't a runner would enjoy this book, but I think other avid runners would find it as marvelous as I did.
I came across this quote on Facebook, and when I traced it to Haruki Murakami's memoir What I Talk About When I Talk About Running, I knew I had to add the book to my to-read list. The quote itself articulates so precisely how I feel about running, and the book title plays on Raymond Carver's What We Talk About When We Talk About Love, one of my favorite short fiction collections. When I read it as part of an American Short Story class I took my junior year of college, I was struck by how such spare prose about the ordinary everyday could also be so stirring and profound. I found parallels in Murakami's writing. His personal musings about running and writing are deceptively casual and simple. We hear about how he became a writer and a runner, his training for his annual marathons and occasional triathlons, and his experience running the original marathon course in Greece for a magazine article he was writing. He meanders into other areas of his life--hobbies, interests, occupations--so that you might begin to wonder whether the memoir is too scattered to amount to much. But I ended up feeling I had been allowed an honest and intimate look at Murakami, as if he considered the reader a potential friend. I gained a deep appreciation for his relationship with running, an appreciation that opened up my understanding of my own relationship with running. So many of the vague notions I've had about running, which had never crystallized into fully formed ideas, Murakami expressed in a way that provoked me again and again as I read to think "Yes! Exactly!" I ended up copying down my favorites, which included:
"I could feel myself running but had no sensation of running."
"By then running had entered the realm of the metaphysical. First there came the action of running, and accompanying it there was this entity known as me. I run; therefore I am."
"A wave of relief washed over me--relief that I didn't have to run anymore. It always feels wonderful to finish a marathon--it's a beautiful thing..."
"Even when I grow old and feeble, when people warn me it's about time to throw in the towel, I won't care. As long as my body allows, I'll keep on running. Even if my time gets worse--I'll keep on putting in as much effort--perhaps even more effort--toward my goal of finishing a marathon. I don't care what others say--that's just my nature, the way I am. Like cicadas cling to trees, salmon swim upstream to where they were born, and wild ducks mate for life."
"I'll be happy if running and I can grow old together."
This last one was like a punch in the gut. I realized that running is more than something I do--it is something separate, a companion to me. And If I were ever to lose it, I would miss it like the dearest friend. I finished What I Talk About When I Talk About Running on a train to NYC, and found myself trying to hold back tears. I'm not sure someone who isn't a runner would enjoy this book, but I think other avid runners would find it as marvelous as I did.
The guy fancied himself a bit too much of a philosopher.
He only doesn't really share one unique insight or thought.
Luckily I was running while I listed to this book, so I had other things to occupy me.
Hearing about his life was semi-interesting, so 2 starts for that.
He only doesn't really share one unique insight or thought.
Luckily I was running while I listed to this book, so I had other things to occupy me.
Hearing about his life was semi-interesting, so 2 starts for that.
3.5 stars. A clear window into Murakami's mind and thought process. Even though it's centered around running and writing these two activities seem to make up such a big part of who he is that you get a true picture of who he is. Some good running tips too in case I ever want to be a long-distance runner.
emotional
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
This book reignited my interest in running, and for that I am very grateful. Murakami has reminded me of what I found valuable about running in the first place, and his own experiences have lead me to want to find my reasons to keep on running again and polish them.
In fact, this book hasn't just reintroduced me to the joys of running, but it has piqued my interest in running longer distances and potentially even marathon running. After all, Murakami's dedication to continue to run marathons for as long as he's physically capable is particularly motivating.
“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.”
In fact, this book hasn't just reintroduced me to the joys of running, but it has piqued my interest in running longer distances and potentially even marathon running. After all, Murakami's dedication to continue to run marathons for as long as he's physically capable is particularly motivating.
I haven't read any of his fiction work (yet), but being a runner this intrigued me so I picked up the audiobook. I thought it was great, there's a lot of wisdom in here, as well as humour. It comes across as a very personal book, unsurprisingly, but it's a valuable read especially for fellow runners.