What I Talk About When I Talk About Running

About “What I Talk About When I Talk About Running”

In 1982, Haruki Murakami sold his jazz bar to focus on writing and started running to stay fit. A year later, he completed a solo run from Athens to Marathon. Over the years, he participated in many races, including triathlons, and wrote several critically acclaimed books. In What I Talk About When I Talk About Running, he reflects on how running has influenced his life and writing. The book combines elements of a training log, travelogue, and personal reflection, focusing on his preparation for the 2005 New York City Marathon. It takes readers from Tokyo's Jingu Gaien gardens to the Charles River in Boston. The memoir includes memories of his decision to become a writer, his successes and failures, his love for vintage music, and his experiences with aging and changing race times. The book offers insights into Murakami's life and the joy he finds in running.