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What I Talk About When I Talk About Running summary
Haruki Murakami
A memoir about running and writing
24 mins
Brief summary
"What I Talk About When I Talk About Running" by Haruki Murakami is a memoir exploring the author's love for long-distance running and its impact on his life, creativity, and overall well-being.
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What I Talk About When I Talk About Running
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Key idea 1 of 8
For Murakami, running is all about clearing the mind.
August 5, 2005. It’s a beautiful day on the Hawaiian island of Kauai. The sun is out, the warm trade winds are blowing, and there is not a single cloud in the sky. In this gorgeous weather, dozens of joggers are steadily making their way up and down the road to the beach. Some move fast; some move more slowly.
One of them is the author, Haruki Murakami.
Murakami is out there running nearly every day. He tries to run an hour a day, six days a week. That adds up to 156 miles a month. Sure, it doesn’t approach his personal record. After all, he’s over 50 now and not nearly as spry as he once was.
However, for Murakami, running has never been about winning races or maintaining a peak physique. For him, it’s more about the experience.
The key message here is: For Murakami, running is all about clearing the mind.
Murakami didn’t begin running or writing until his thirties. Before that, he’d owned a jazz bar and had never seriously considered either pastime. In the fall of 1982, he sold his bar to become a full-time writer; shortly after, he started running seriously. In the two decades since, he has organized much of his life around the habit of running. While his dedication has ebbed and flowed, it has never completely abated. Since first hitting the road, the author has completed 23 marathons – one every year.
Something about the solitary nature of running keeps Murakami coming back to the sport. He doesn't find motivation from competing against others. Instead, he measures success based on his own, personal expectations. Like his approach to writing books, it’s less about impressing an audience and more about satisfying his own desires. That’s why, even as he ages and slows down, he still enjoys a daily jog.
One of the things Murakami enjoys most about this regular ritual is the calm it brings. When he is out on the trail, his mind begins to clear. Yes, he still has the occasional thought, a fleeting memory, or a twinge of emotion – but mostly, he just zones out. He calls the almost meditative state “the void.” Every day, Murakami laces up his shoes to run toward this void.
Knowing that the void is just a short jog away is an immense reassurance. The peace that it brings has helped Murakami smooth over life’s rougher edges. Even when angry, sad, or distraught about some petty thing, he can simply go running – and soon enough, the outside world will melt away.
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What is What I Talk About When I Talk About Running about?
What I Talk About When I Talk About Running (2009) is a memoir about the intersection of two solitary passions: running and writing. In this personal work, author Haruki Murakami gives an intimate look into how these two practices inform his inner world.
What I Talk About When I Talk About Running Review
What I Talk About When I Talk About Running (2007) is a compelling memoir by Haruki Murakami that explores the author's passion for running and its impact on his life. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- With its honest reflections and personal anecdotes, the book offers a unique perspective on the physical and mental challenges of long-distance running.
- Murakami's candid storytelling reveals the deep connections between running, writing, and finding meaning in everyday life.
- By delving into themes of discipline, perseverance, and self-discovery, the book provides insights that resonate with both runners and non-runners, inspiring readers to reflect on their own passions and goals.
Best quote from What I Talk About When I Talk About Running
For a runner like me, whats really important is reaching the goal I set myself, under my own power. I give it everything I have, endure what needs enduring, and am able, in my own way, to be satisfied.
—Haruki Murakami
Who should read What I Talk About When I Talk About Running?
- Fans of Murakami’s surreal prose style
- Writers who run, or runners who write
- Late bloomers looking for inspiration
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What I Talk About When I Talk About Running FAQs
What is the main message of What I Talk About When I Talk About Running?
The main message of What I Talk About When I Talk About Running is the transformative power of long-distance running.
How long does it take to read What I Talk About When I Talk About Running?
The reading time for What I Talk About When I Talk About Running varies, but it can be read in a few hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is What I Talk About When I Talk About Running a good book? Is it worth reading?
What I Talk About When I Talk About Running is a must-read for running enthusiasts and Murakami fans. It offers insights on the intersection of running and writing.
Who is the author of What I Talk About When I Talk About Running?
The author of What I Talk About When I Talk About Running is Haruki Murakami.
What to read after What I Talk About When I Talk About Running?
If you're wondering what to read next after What I Talk About When I Talk About Running, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Born to Run by Christopher McDougall
- Jog On by Bella Mackie
- In Praise of Walking by Shane O'Mara
- Endure by Alex Hutchinson
- 30 Ways to Reboot Your Body by Ben Greenfield
- How to Talk to Anyone by Leil Lowndes
- The Body by Bill Bryson
- Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman
- Search Inside Yourself by Chade-Meng Tan
- Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl