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Reviews
The Way of the Runner: A Journey into the Fabled World of Japanese Running by Adharanand Finn
craigt1990's review against another edition
5.0
One of my favourite running books, brilliantly written with a great mix of fascinating details and insight into the Japanese running phenomenon.
As a foreigner (or Gaijin) in an isolationist society the author's task of integrating into Japanese society and running scene is difficult. However, (not unlike Murakami/Ghibli who he makes reference to frequently), the author's patience and persistence is rewarded and he does break through into the magical world of Japanese Ekidens.
We get treated to a unique view of the culture of history of running in Japan which is backed by big corporations, each competing with their own running teams. Just imaging corporations like Virgin, Lotus, Royal Mail etc in the UK having teams of runners, the best given a salary and accommodation and coaching to become elite level runners with races televised at peak time on national network television, i.e., BBC One with crowds of people out on the streets and full back page coverage in all the newspapers the next morning - their passion for running is incredible.
I thoroughly enjoyed the way in which the author made interesting characters out of the Japanese runners he sort of befriends and how it all ties together into an overarching Manga-style quest to run in an Ekiden race together.
I learned a lot about Japanese culture, the history of Japanese running, the tension between old and new methods of coaching, some specific workouts and types of runs Japanese runners like to do and how it differs to Kenyan runners, also the mentality of the Japanese runners - both how they like to run with courage but also the small stride/high cadence running that is promoted by coaches, I was also pleased with the inclusion of an interview with Japanese Marathon legend Yuki Kawauchi, a fascinating runner who offers a totally unique view to training which I think is truly on to something, and moreover there's a lot more to learn from Yuki's training than say copying an elite athlete's training.
Yuki's slow jogging approach to training saving hard efforts for the weekend and only running once per day puts a lot less strain on the body. I've been doing some further reading on his training and Ekidens.
Running parallel to the story of the book is the author's own struggle to incorporate his learnings from the Japanese runners into his own training and try to challenge his Personal Bests set in his teenage years. I can certainly relate to some of his struggles after switching to vivobarefoot shoes myself and trying to improve my mechanics through CrossFit. Squatting especially is something I have been trying to work on myself as good ankle dorsiflexion is key to both deep squatting and good forward lean from the ankle when running.
After reading the book, I was left feeling happy that it'd been such a fun read but still eager for more. 5*!
As a foreigner (or Gaijin) in an isolationist society the author's task of integrating into Japanese society and running scene is difficult. However, (not unlike Murakami/Ghibli who he makes reference to frequently), the author's patience and persistence is rewarded and he does break through into the magical world of Japanese Ekidens.
We get treated to a unique view of the culture of history of running in Japan which is backed by big corporations, each competing with their own running teams. Just imaging corporations like Virgin, Lotus, Royal Mail etc in the UK having teams of runners, the best given a salary and accommodation and coaching to become elite level runners with races televised at peak time on national network television, i.e., BBC One with crowds of people out on the streets and full back page coverage in all the newspapers the next morning - their passion for running is incredible.
I thoroughly enjoyed the way in which the author made interesting characters out of the Japanese runners he sort of befriends and how it all ties together into an overarching Manga-style quest to run in an Ekiden race together.
I learned a lot about Japanese culture, the history of Japanese running, the tension between old and new methods of coaching, some specific workouts and types of runs Japanese runners like to do and how it differs to Kenyan runners, also the mentality of the Japanese runners - both how they like to run with courage but also the small stride/high cadence running that is promoted by coaches, I was also pleased with the inclusion of an interview with Japanese Marathon legend Yuki Kawauchi, a fascinating runner who offers a totally unique view to training which I think is truly on to something, and moreover there's a lot more to learn from Yuki's training than say copying an elite athlete's training.
Yuki's slow jogging approach to training saving hard efforts for the weekend and only running once per day puts a lot less strain on the body. I've been doing some further reading on his training and Ekidens.
Running parallel to the story of the book is the author's own struggle to incorporate his learnings from the Japanese runners into his own training and try to challenge his Personal Bests set in his teenage years. I can certainly relate to some of his struggles after switching to vivobarefoot shoes myself and trying to improve my mechanics through CrossFit. Squatting especially is something I have been trying to work on myself as good ankle dorsiflexion is key to both deep squatting and good forward lean from the ankle when running.
After reading the book, I was left feeling happy that it'd been such a fun read but still eager for more. 5*!
sngsweelian's review against another edition
4.0
The book could do with better organization but still, it offers an insight into ekiden racing in Japan, something new to me. The Japanese running psyche is also interesting. Will the Japanese ever produce the same level of elite runners like the Kenyans? I hope they will.
tidoublegarrr's review against another edition
3.0
Was really interesting learning about ekiden and how running is approached in Japan. The only confusing aspect of the book was the organization. He has guts for traveling for so long without a concrete plan in place, but he managed to still get his story.
tombennett72's review against another edition
5.0
A great read, thoughtful and insightful. And as a rubber, I have to say that it's extremely motivational!
pattym's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
4.25
sonicboylee's review against another edition
3.0
Although well written I have to agree with a previous reviewer in picking up the author for focusing too much on his own running form rather than exploring more of the Japanese culture