To be able to grasp something of value, sometimes you have to perform seemingly inefficient acts. But even activities that appear fruitless don’t necessarily end up so.
― Haruki Murakami, What I Talk About When I Talk About Running
CBR17 Bingo: Culture
This book discusses a runner’s mentality as well as running culture.
As an avid reader of Haruki Murakami, I’ve been meaning to check this book off of my list for going on ten years. I wondered though if his nonfiction could hold up to his wild, disturbing, and fantastical fantasy novels. It turns out it could.
I don’t read much nonfiction and that is by choice. If I’m going to spend my time reading, I want to read something to help me escape, to inspire me, or to make me laugh. I read nonfiction mostly in the form of essay collections, or I’ll read/skim a self-help book a few times a year.
This book lands in the sweet spot of memoir and self-help book. While that may sound awful to some, let me explain. I’m a runner. It has taken me almost ten years to comfortably call myself that but it is true. Although at times there are gaps of six months or longer between my runs, I’ve managed to stick with running longer than any other form of exercise, with the exception of walking (a necessary blessing on account of where I live).
I run neither fast nor far. I listen to music or nothing at all, depending on my surroundings and my headspace at the time. But running is something that makes me feel good, even when it’s cold or wet, or too hot, or my body is not cooperating. I never regret going for a run even if it is only for one mile.
Murakami talks about running by dipping in and out of different periods of his life. We start out with a description of his running routine and goals as he is preparing for the NYC marathon in December of 2005. At this point, he’s been a long distance runner for over twenty years and is adjusting to the realization that his marathon time will probably never improve no matter how doggedly he trains.
In subsequent chapters, he explains how and why he became a runner in the first place, and how he needs to run, just as much as he needs to write, to survive.
An unhealthy soul requires a healthy body.
― Haruki Murakami, What I Talk About When I Talk About Running
After finishing this memoir, I was reminded why I enjoy reading Murakami so much. Even though much of his writing is absolutely fantastical, he puts it out in a way to the reader that says, “Maybe this is strange or you cannot relate, but this is how it was for me.” To me, this form of storytelling is immediately engaging. That is why I was able to read a 194 page book about his training routine, doubts, successes, and all of the thoughts that run through his brain while he’s pounding out a marathon or triathlon.
This book won’t make you run any faster, but it reminded me why I enjoy running and inspired me to put on my sneakers and do a short run around my neighborhood even when I wasn’t really feeling up for it.
For many of us, running and writing are not a necessary part of our lives. But they are the gifts we give to ourselves. Even if we cannot see tangible gains every time, they are there.