What I talk about when I talk about running

No cover — Haruki Murakami: What I talk about when I talk about running (Paperback, 2008, Vintage Arrow)

Paperback, 192 pages

English language

Published Dec. 31, 2008 by Vintage Arrow.

ISBN:: 978-0-09-952615-5

(1 review)

In 1982, having sold his jazz bar to devote himself to writing, Murakami began running to keep fit. A year later, he'd completed a solo course from Athens to Marathon, and now, after dozens of such races, not to mention triathlons and a dozen critically acclaimed books, he reflects upon the influence the sport has had on his life and--even more important--on his writing.Equal parts training log, travelogue, and reminiscence, this revealing memoir covers his four-month preparation for the 2005 New York City Marathon and takes us to places ranging from Tokyo's Jingu Gaien gardens, where he once shared the course with an Olympian, to the Charles River in Boston among young women who outpace him. Through this marvelous lens of sport emerges a panorama of memories and insights: the eureka moment when he decided to become a writer, his greatest triumphs and disappointments, his passion for vintage LPs, and …

In 1982, having sold his jazz bar to devote himself to writing, Murakami began running to keep fit. A year later, he'd completed a solo course from Athens to Marathon, and now, after dozens of such races, not to mention triathlons and a dozen critically acclaimed books, he reflects upon the influence the sport has had on his life and--even more important--on his writing.Equal parts training log, travelogue, and reminiscence, this revealing memoir covers his four-month preparation for the 2005 New York City Marathon and takes us to places ranging from Tokyo's Jingu Gaien gardens, where he once shared the course with an Olympian, to the Charles River in Boston among young women who outpace him. Through this marvelous lens of sport emerges a panorama of memories and insights: the eureka moment when he decided to become a writer, his greatest triumphs and disappointments, his passion for vintage LPs, and the experience, after fifty, of seeing his race times improve and then fall back.By turns funny and sobering, playful and philosophical, What I Talk About When I Talk About Running is rich and revelatory, both for fans of this masterful yet guardedly private writer and for the exploding population of athletes who find similar satisfaction in running.From the Hardcover edition.

13 editions

Henry reviewed What I Talk About When I Talk About Running by Haruki Murakami

Honestly…A Painful Read

2 stars

I went in with high expectations for this book. Running has been a massive part of my life since I was 8 years old, and getting to hear new perspectives on running was all I was expecting from this book.

Unfortunately, this book reads like a mid-level runner giving us a stream of consciousness about running; some of what’s shared being accurate, and some not. He shares many theories as to why and how certain things work - mainly based on hunches. Some hunches are correct, and some not.

I’m going to choose to ignore the frustrating number of hunches the author utilizes in place of science, and instead focus on the philosophy and emotional aspects of this book. (Which are the only somewhat redeeming parts of it)

Even in this realm, I really struggled to connect with the author with the exception of a few pages. A huge part …

I went in with high expectations for this book. Running has been a massive part of my life since I was 8 years old, and getting to hear new perspectives on running was all I was expecting from this book.

Unfortunately, this book reads like a mid-level runner giving us a stream of consciousness about running; some of what’s shared being accurate, and some not. He shares many theories as to why and how certain things work - mainly based on hunches. Some hunches are correct, and some not.

I’m going to choose to ignore the frustrating number of hunches the author utilizes in place of science, and instead focus on the philosophy and emotional aspects of this book. (Which are the only somewhat redeeming parts of it)

Even in this realm, I really struggled to connect with the author with the exception of a few pages. A huge part of his passion for running seems to stem from pushing his body to extreme (arguably unhealthy) limits. This is not at all how I see running. I see running as a beautiful art form, one that can be relaxed. Simple. Effortless. Smooth. And healthy.

When I run, it’s about tranquility, connecting with myself, and connecting with my environment. The author ties running to the concept of a “void” almost as if he sees it as an avoidance coping mechanism. Perhaps I read too deeply between the lines, but I just didn’t find the author’s relationship with running to be one that I share. I’m happy he loves running and it provides him this value, but it’s just not something I can relate to.

The author also seems incredibly judgemental, particularly when it comes to the “fast girls” he sees near the college campus, college athletes who are running faster than him. He has the nerve to imply they are inexperienced long distance athletes, and they probably are unable of slowing down and running as far as he can.

What?

How does he know that? And why does it matter? It’s just such a weird thing to include in this book. Not only is he comparing himself to a different sex, but his assumptions regarding their physical fitness and training are likely strongly incorrect.

I have a few more minor complaints with this book, but to summarize my issues so I can move on with my life: - I didn’t connect with the author - I felt the author was spreading a lot of misinformation regarding technical details of training - I wasn’t a huge fan of the author’s outlook on running - I wasn’t a huge fan of the author’s outlook on the world - I wasn’t a huge fan of the writing style - I felt the book provided almost no value to myself. It’s a memoir, and a memoir about someone I’m just not really that interested in - neither their personality nor their running 🤷

I’m sure some people out there would love this book, but I’m sorry - it was a painful one for me.