“The thoughts that occur to me while I’m running are like clouds
in the sky. Clouds of all different sizes. They come and they go, while the sky
remains the same sky always. The clouds are mere guests in the sky that pass
away and vanish, leaving behind the sky.”
― Haruki Murakami, What I Talk About When I Talk About Running
Any reader of Murakami would be able to tell you that his style of writing is disjoint, his thoughts disconnected, surreal, yet believable!
I had a tough time reading Kafka on the Shore, maybe cats can talk?
So it was that I decided to finally read “What I talk about when I talk about running” Two marathons in and several years of running later, I had the courage to pick it up!
There are books about running a plenty in the market with this being the most popular among fitness enthusiasts. I event noticed an apartment complex in the outskirts of Bangalore advertising a 1 km running track as its USP!!!
This book of Murakami is not about running! It is about finding himself through running! From managing a jazz club in his 20’s to running and writing!
He does not give tips about running, techniques or the kind of diet to follow or the schedules which would work best!
“Being active every day makes it easier to hear that inner voice.”
― Haruki Murakami, What I Talk About When I Talk About Running
About the people he bumps into, the small victories.
Again, true to his style, he jumps around! Moving across continents! Running spots!
How would it resonate with a non-runner- would it motivate them to hit the road, or even a tread mill? No!
How would the book help a runner- other than telling them to “just run’’, not much help!
Did it make a difference to me- maybe…… he does not talk about cross training, core work outs, strength training, tempo runs and intervals. He just says “Run”
Yes, he did talk about his iron-man attempts and his success, his solo runs in Greece – All inspiring!
This is why I really liked the book! It resonates so well with me as a person!
“I’m the kind of person who likes to be by himself. To put a finer point on it, I’m the type of person who doesn’t find it painful to be alone. 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.”
― Haruki Murakami, What I Talk About When I Talk About Running
Many years
ago I ran to forget, to lose myself. And instead found myself!
― Haruki Murakami, What I Talk About When I Talk About Running
Any reader of Murakami would be able to tell you that his style of writing is disjoint, his thoughts disconnected, surreal, yet believable!
I had a tough time reading Kafka on the Shore, maybe cats can talk?
So it was that I decided to finally read “What I talk about when I talk about running” Two marathons in and several years of running later, I had the courage to pick it up!
There are books about running a plenty in the market with this being the most popular among fitness enthusiasts. I event noticed an apartment complex in the outskirts of Bangalore advertising a 1 km running track as its USP!!!
This book of Murakami is not about running! It is about finding himself through running! From managing a jazz club in his 20’s to running and writing!
He does not give tips about running, techniques or the kind of diet to follow or the schedules which would work best!
He writes
instead about his runs every day, how he built his endurance over the years and
the sheer determination which became him.
He writes about how his focus as a writer, a speaker improved once he
became disciplined in his schedules. About living with goals and living life to
the fullest. His strict regime which has
made him such a fine runner!
“Being active every day makes it easier to hear that inner voice.”
― Haruki Murakami, What I Talk About When I Talk About Running
About the people he bumps into, the small victories.
Again, true to his style, he jumps around! Moving across continents! Running spots!
How would it resonate with a non-runner- would it motivate them to hit the road, or even a tread mill? No!
How would the book help a runner- other than telling them to “just run’’, not much help!
Did it make a difference to me- maybe…… he does not talk about cross training, core work outs, strength training, tempo runs and intervals. He just says “Run”
Yes, he did talk about his iron-man attempts and his success, his solo runs in Greece – All inspiring!
This is why I really liked the book! It resonates so well with me as a person!
“I’m the kind of person who likes to be by himself. To put a finer point on it, I’m the type of person who doesn’t find it painful to be alone. 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.”
― Haruki Murakami, What I Talk About When I Talk About Running
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