What I Talk About When I Talk About Running by Haruki Murakami is a memoir that describes how his love for long-distance running has impacted his life, creativity and wellbeing.
Short Review
Author: Haruki Murakami
Original Title: 走ることについて語るときに僕の語ること
Genre: Memoir
Year Published: 2007
Review Date: 2025/02
Rating: 5 stars
Recommended: Yes, worth re-reading
Writing Style: Personal, descriptive, reflective
Why Read This Book
Murakami recounts short stories from memory, highly relatable to everyday runners. It is a book of open conversations where he shares his thoughts on sustaining the rhythm for running daily, and self-discovery in the process.
This book is a reminder to live life to the fullest and enjoy the journey.
Three Key Takeaways
Focus and endurance…
are two disciplines that can be acquired and sharpened through training. Do it everyday, add a stimulus and repeat. Patience is a must. Strength and stamina will come.
Most runners run because…
they want to live life to the fullest. If you’re going to while your years away, it’s better to live with clear goals and fully alive than in a fog. When the body disintegrates, so does the mind.
We run simply because…
we want to. Through running, you can sort out the life you’ve led, and the life you want to live.