Genial and modest insights into the experience of running (more mental than it seems), as of writing (more physical than it seems). A light account, but evidently a candid one, of the author's lifestyle and mindset, through the reflective pursuit of running. An easy, unpretentious read. ( )

I loved this book, and while I understand if you aren't a runner, you might not get much out of it, to me it was an interesting look into this authors life, and why he lives the way he does. As someone who runs a little, I related to many of his thoughts about the pain and suffering it can entail, too bad for me it starts to feel that way after 3 miles! I admire his conviction in trying new things and doing what he feels is right for himself, no matter what others say. In that way this book was an inspiration to me. His descriptions of running are very well done, whether of an event, or just a morning jog on the Charles River in Boston. Thumbs up also, for his love of Sam Adams beer, my favorite. ( )

"As I run I tell myself to think of a river. And clouds. But essentially I'm not thinking of a thing. All I do is keep on running in my own cozy, homemade void, my own nostalgic silence. And this is a pretty wonderful thing. No matter what anybody else says."

As a runner, I loved this book.
IMO this memoir is not just about distance running, ultra-marathon or triathlon, but also about personal standards and the life Murakami leads, both as a running novelist and as an ordinary person.
An inspiring book for not only non-professional runners, but also for the not-so physically active readers, who want to have an insight into runners' mind or learn a little bit about (general) endurance.

"To keep on going, you have to keep up the rhythm.This is the important thing for long-term projects. Once you set the pace, the rest will follow." ( )

This book is not about running. Rather, it is about the things that tend to pop in and out of Murakami's mind when he's running, or when he's talking about it.

The fluidity in which the narration happens is stunning. There is a certain intimacy to the way he writes in this book, almost like he's having a private conversation with you, and you alone.

I loved it. ( )

20 Apr 2009 - Amazon Christmas vouchers (I think)

Interestingly, a book about running which seemed more aimed at the non-runner than the runner - a lot of explanation about what a lot of us take for granted. Which is no bad thing of course. I really enjoyed this book where you get a real feel for how he runs, trains, how he started running, why he does it.... Loosely based around a sort of memoir and a look at a couple of marathons and a triathlon, there's a fair bit about how he writes too. I've only read one of Murakami's novels, I think, but I enjoyed this insight, too. The bliss, the zoning out and the pain of the long distance runner is evoked beautifully with none of the yucky, my-injury-trumps-yours stuff which often creeps into the subject. Murakami runs to be alone, and runs because it's a thing to do alone; he bonds with other competitors in his annual marathon and triathlon, but is very much his own person.

Happy points: he wears Mizuno trainers like me! and I liked a mantra he mentioned: "Pain is inevitable; suffering is optional". I really like that. He also has one about being a machine which I like.

So, a memoir, a book about writing and a book about running. Not too long, always interesting and I will definitely re-read this. ( )