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Sportsister Loves: What I Talk About When I Talk About Running

When we decided this week to celebrate all things running, one of my first thoughts was to head straight to my bookshelf and dust off What I Talk About When I Talk About Running written by Japanese novelist Haruki Murakami.
It’s one of my favourite books, I’ve read it four times and every time I finish it, I feel educated, moved and inspired - surely that’s what great books are all about?
What’s it about?
The book is written in an autobiographical style and primarily explores the relationship that Haruki has between himself and his passion for running.
He has an extraordinary commitment to the sport admitting, “unless totally unavoidable I run every single day…at 36 miles per week, I cover 156 miles every month which for me is the standard for serious running”. And he has done this for 23 years, whilst also having competed in at least one marathon each year (with an aim to finish in a fast 3 ½ hours) and taken part in various long-distance races all over the world.
Haruki shares with his readers all the highs and lows of his running experiences, from enjoying a light three mile jog in Hawaii to the out-of-body moment he experiences battling a 62 mile route.
But what is educational, is how Haruki uses running to teach him all he needs to know about hard work, commitment, ambition and pushing himself to his limits, qualities that he uses in his everyday life.
But the book is not solely about running, so if you aren’t the sports biggest fan please don’t be completely put off by the title. As a reader we also delve into Haruki’s life as a writer, (although he does admit ”most of what I know about writing fiction I learned by running every day”), as well as discovering more about his character - both the positive and negative relationships that he has with his mind, his body and his professional life.
My favourite bit
For me, the highlight of the book is the incredible raw journey that Haruki has completing his first ever marathon distance. I won’t spoil it for you, but the story of him taking on the original 26.2 mile route in Greece alone, running from Athens to the village of Marathon without all the airs and graces of an actual event I always find incredibly inspiring and something that I’d definitely like to experience myself one day.
My favourite quote
“Exerting yourself to the fullest within your individual limits: that’s the essence of running, and a metaphor for life.”
If you fancy giving it a read (and I definitely recommend that you do) you can buy it here.
Publisher: Vintage Books
Price: £7.99
Lizzie Flint, Sportsister
The Women’s Sports Magazine
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