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anotherchriskelly's review against another edition
5.0
Reading this as I'm waiting to fully heal from a torn Achilles tendon was the most acute form of torture I could have ever possibly imagined.
sidekickyin's review against another edition
4.0
This was inspirational for someone who has been and on/off runner for over 30 years. It's got good insights into Murakami's routine. It also made me realize that the whole "aha" moment of someone wanting to become a writer can be very anti-climactic. It's simply about putting in the work, the same with running.
alongapath's review against another edition
3.0
Murakami is a dedicated long-distance runner. He runs every day and keeps tally of all the kilometers, locations and races that he runs. At the time of publication, he was participating in at least one marathon each year (totaling 25 at the time) and he was dabbling in triathlon events. He claims that running is his form of relaxation but, as the book unfolds, you can see that he has an obsessive-compulsiveness about it (the opposite of relaxing, imo)
This book is a rambling group of loosely related essays about how running has shaped who he is and how he writes. The best parts were the detailed accounts of his races (often excerpts from published articles). I loved every word of his Athens to Marathon marathon -so gritty and real. My favourite was his account of his one and only ultra-distance 100 km race which was both brutal and beautiful.
There is much philosophical thought in Murakami's writing. He is very introspective which makes him feel approachable and his accomplishments attainable.
But the rambling nature of these essays made the book feel like a slog. I sort of dreaded picking it up - in the same way that I sort of dread heading out for my own daily run. Once I started, it was fine - even enjoyable - but it was too easy to push off to another day.
This book is a rambling group of loosely related essays about how running has shaped who he is and how he writes. The best parts were the detailed accounts of his races (often excerpts from published articles). I loved every word of his Athens to Marathon marathon -so gritty and real. My favourite was his account of his one and only ultra-distance 100 km race which was both brutal and beautiful.
There is much philosophical thought in Murakami's writing. He is very introspective which makes him feel approachable and his accomplishments attainable.
But the rambling nature of these essays made the book feel like a slog. I sort of dreaded picking it up - in the same way that I sort of dread heading out for my own daily run. Once I started, it was fine - even enjoyable - but it was too easy to push off to another day.
kingphilwith1l's review against another edition
4.0
I learned what an ultramarathon is and wow! It’s refreshing to read about one of my favorite authors being so dedicated to a hobby which feels so unrelated to writing only to find out it’s directly related to writing. As a hobbyist power lifter I saw many parallels between the over arching theme of pushing yourself to the limit and accepting the result of doing your best, simply that’s all we can do. I suggest this for anyone looking for a bit of encouragement whether it’s a sport or your creative endeavors.
kats05's review against another edition
3.0
I understand that the title is based on Raymond Carver's "What we talk about when we talk about love" (which I want to read now), but I do think that a more accurate title for Murakami's musings on running would have been "What I think about when I think about running" (or even "... when I'm running") given that these are his private thoughts jotted down over a period of about 18 months, with no particular audience/readership in mind. Apart from attending a tri-athelete training camp in Honolulu, he doesn't seem to have any interaction let alone running discussions with others. Running is a very solitary sport which is one of the reasons Murakami loves it. He does not enjoy team sports or sports where you directly compete (e.g. tennis), so running suits his personality as well as his lifestyle.
Murakami explores and extends his personal limits ("suffering is optional") and describes in vivid detail the mindset and resilience that running an ultra-marathon (100 km / 62 miles) requires. I have to admit that, as everyone around me seems to be taking up running in middle-age, it's definitely not for me, at least not any distance beyond 10 km. But I did enjoy getting this highly articulated insight into a passionate runner's mind, especially one whose thoughts and ideas are intriguing anyway.
Many friends (not on GoodReads but in "real life") think that as I'm such an avid reader I ought to be a writer, too, and several of them have suggested that I write a novel of sorts. On every occasion I am completely bewildered by the idea as I don't have any ideas for a novel to start with, nor do I have the inclination to work "in solitary confinement" for many hours each day. Murakami has given me the perfect reasons why I will never be a writer (or a long-distance runner) by stating the three must have qualities you'd need to be one:
1) Talent
2) Focus
3) Endurance
I fail on all three counts, and I happily admit that my existence as a reader is enough for me. :-)
Murakami explores and extends his personal limits ("suffering is optional") and describes in vivid detail the mindset and resilience that running an ultra-marathon (100 km / 62 miles) requires. I have to admit that, as everyone around me seems to be taking up running in middle-age, it's definitely not for me, at least not any distance beyond 10 km. But I did enjoy getting this highly articulated insight into a passionate runner's mind, especially one whose thoughts and ideas are intriguing anyway.
Many friends (not on GoodReads but in "real life") think that as I'm such an avid reader I ought to be a writer, too, and several of them have suggested that I write a novel of sorts. On every occasion I am completely bewildered by the idea as I don't have any ideas for a novel to start with, nor do I have the inclination to work "in solitary confinement" for many hours each day. Murakami has given me the perfect reasons why I will never be a writer (or a long-distance runner) by stating the three must have qualities you'd need to be one:
1) Talent
2) Focus
3) Endurance
I fail on all three counts, and I happily admit that my existence as a reader is enough for me. :-)
kimchinquee's review against another edition
5.0
I could relate to this book--as a runner and writer. It was an inspiring read.
ashley_kelmore's review against another edition
4.0
Best for:
Runners looking for a meditation on running.
In a nutshell:
Author Murakami, better known by most for his novels, shares how running impacts his life.
Worth quoting:
“People sometimes sneer at those who run every day, claiming they’ll go to any length to live longer. But I 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.”
“I'm often asked what I think about as I run. Usually the people who ask this have never run long distances themselves. I always ponder the question. What exactly do I think about when I'm running? I don't have a clue.”
Why I chose it:
I’m a runner, and this book has come up a lot.
What it left me feeling:
Content.
Review:
This is my second running book I’ve read this year. As mentioned in my previous review, I’ve been running for many years - nearly 15 years at this point. Sometimes I’m running slow and easy, sometimes I’m pushing myself to build up some strength. On off days, I’m lifting and stretching and rolling. I’ve only taken a handful of breaks in those times - usually due to injury, and once because I just stopped, and that non-injury-related-break was definitely when I’ve felt at my lowest.
I don’t always love running, but I’m always happy that I ran, and I think Murakami captures this feeling. He says he runs to help him write. For me, I need to move regularly otherwise I am scattered and all over the place. Running helps me focus. Yes, it keeps me fit to a degree, but I think the impact on my mental health is more pronounced. And while I am active in other sports (specifically football / soccer), running is a constant for me.
Murakami focuses most of the book on a couple of seasons of running. He and I differ on our approaches - he trains by running every single day; I used to run every single day, but since I’ve gotten a running coach, it’s more like 4 times a week. He talks about runs that go well and runs that don’t. He talks about the feelings, the specific thoughts when he’s running races. He runs further than I do - he does marathons, I’m only doing half marathons - but both involve so much time alone, outside, in all kinds of weather. It’s solitary but not lonely.
One thing I especially related to was him talking about how, as he gets older, his body just doesn’t do things the same way. He’ll train the same or harder and struggle to complete races in times he previously hit with ease. At the moment I’m training in the hopes of once again running a sub-2 hour half marathon (something I have only done once out of 14 races, and about 10 years ago), but it’s hard. I’m not old, but I’m older, and things ache more. Injuries appear more often. I might reach my goal; I might not. But I’ll keep running.
Recommend to a Friend / Keep / Donate it / Toss it:
Recommend to a Friend
Runners looking for a meditation on running.
In a nutshell:
Author Murakami, better known by most for his novels, shares how running impacts his life.
Worth quoting:
“People sometimes sneer at those who run every day, claiming they’ll go to any length to live longer. But I 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.”
“I'm often asked what I think about as I run. Usually the people who ask this have never run long distances themselves. I always ponder the question. What exactly do I think about when I'm running? I don't have a clue.”
Why I chose it:
I’m a runner, and this book has come up a lot.
What it left me feeling:
Content.
Review:
This is my second running book I’ve read this year. As mentioned in my previous review, I’ve been running for many years - nearly 15 years at this point. Sometimes I’m running slow and easy, sometimes I’m pushing myself to build up some strength. On off days, I’m lifting and stretching and rolling. I’ve only taken a handful of breaks in those times - usually due to injury, and once because I just stopped, and that non-injury-related-break was definitely when I’ve felt at my lowest.
I don’t always love running, but I’m always happy that I ran, and I think Murakami captures this feeling. He says he runs to help him write. For me, I need to move regularly otherwise I am scattered and all over the place. Running helps me focus. Yes, it keeps me fit to a degree, but I think the impact on my mental health is more pronounced. And while I am active in other sports (specifically football / soccer), running is a constant for me.
Murakami focuses most of the book on a couple of seasons of running. He and I differ on our approaches - he trains by running every single day; I used to run every single day, but since I’ve gotten a running coach, it’s more like 4 times a week. He talks about runs that go well and runs that don’t. He talks about the feelings, the specific thoughts when he’s running races. He runs further than I do - he does marathons, I’m only doing half marathons - but both involve so much time alone, outside, in all kinds of weather. It’s solitary but not lonely.
One thing I especially related to was him talking about how, as he gets older, his body just doesn’t do things the same way. He’ll train the same or harder and struggle to complete races in times he previously hit with ease. At the moment I’m training in the hopes of once again running a sub-2 hour half marathon (something I have only done once out of 14 races, and about 10 years ago), but it’s hard. I’m not old, but I’m older, and things ache more. Injuries appear more often. I might reach my goal; I might not. But I’ll keep running.
Recommend to a Friend / Keep / Donate it / Toss it:
Recommend to a Friend
emiiiiiiii's review against another edition
4.0
This is obviously different than his longer works of fiction or his short stories-in form, but in a way-in affective qualities, it is very similar. You can't make this book what it is not, and if you are the kind of person who wants all murakami books to be "Murakami" books, this isn't for you. the intentions of this book are different than his other books. i loved it for what it is, a book that is earnest about life and running.