Introduction
Haruki Murakami is a world-renowned novelist known for his surreal and dreamlike fiction. But when he's not crafting intricate stories at his writing desk, Murakami has another passion: running marathons. In 2005, as he began training for the New York City Marathon, Murakami decided to keep a journal of his thoughts and observations about running. The result is "What I Talk About When I Talk About Running," a memoir that explores the intersection of running and writing in Murakami's life and work.
This book offers a unique glimpse into the mind of a celebrated author as he reflects on his dual pursuits of writing and long-distance running. Through Murakami's experiences and insights, we learn how these two seemingly different activities are deeply connected and how they have shaped his life and creative process.
From Chain-Smoker to Ultramarathon Runner
Murakami's journey as a runner began in his early thirties, around the same time he started his writing career. Before that, he owned a jazz bar in Tokyo and lived a rather unhealthy lifestyle. He smoked nearly 60 cigarettes a day and often stayed up late, leaving him physically exhausted.
When Murakami decided to become a full-time writer in 1981, he realized he needed to make some changes to stay physically fit and mentally sharp. He and his wife moved from Tokyo to the small city of Narashino in Chiba Prefecture, where he completely overhauled his daily routine. Instead of staying up late drinking and smoking, he began sleeping soon after dark and rising at dawn.
To complement this new, healthier lifestyle, Murakami started running. At first, he was terrible at it. Even a short, slow jog of 20 minutes left him gasping for air. But he persevered, and over time, his stamina improved, and his body adapted to the demands of running.
This drastic transition from chain-smoking bar owner to dedicated runner might seem strange to some, but for Murakami, it made perfect sense. He found that running suited him in the same way that writing did – once he started, he didn't want to stop. Over the years, running became an essential part of his life and creative process.
The Meditative Nature of Running
For Murakami, running is not about winning races or maintaining a peak physique. Instead, it's about the experience itself and the mental clarity it brings. He aims to run an hour a day, six days a week, which adds up to about 156 miles a month. While this may not be as impressive as his personal records from his younger days, Murakami finds satisfaction in maintaining this routine.
One of the aspects of running that Murakami enjoys most is the calm it brings to his mind. When he's out on the trail, his thoughts begin to clear. He still experiences occasional fleeting thoughts, memories, or emotions, but for the most part, he enters what he calls "the void" – an almost meditative state where the outside world melts away.
This void is a source of great comfort for Murakami. Knowing that he can access this state of mental clarity through a simple run is reassuring. Even when he's feeling angry, sad, or upset about something, he can lace up his shoes and go for a run, and soon enough, those negative emotions begin to dissipate.
The solitary nature of running appeals to Murakami. He doesn't find motivation from competing against others but instead measures his success based on his own personal expectations. This approach mirrors his attitude toward writing – it's less about impressing an audience and more about satisfying his own desires and standards.
The Connection Between Running and Writing
Murakami sees many parallels between running and writing, two activities that have become cornerstones of his life. Both require discipline, focus, and endurance – qualities that Murakami has honed over the years through his dedication to both pursuits.
When asked about the qualities needed to become a successful novelist, Murakami first mentions talent. He acknowledges that a certain knack for words, storytelling, and imagination is essential for fiction writing. However, he emphasizes that even the most talented writers won't reach their full potential without two additional qualities: focus and endurance.
Murakami compares writing to a form of manual labor, much like running. Just as an athlete training for a marathon must be focused enough to run for several hours straight, a novelist must be laser-focused on telling their story. This means sitting down day after day to carefully craft each chapter, paragraph, and sentence – a task that requires immense concentration and dedication.
Similarly, both runners and writers need endurance. Runners must maintain a regular workout schedule and push through physical discomfort, while writers must stick with their projects for long periods, often writing for hours each day for months on end. Murakami believes that these qualities of focus and endurance can be developed over time through consistent practice, unlike talent, which is more innate.
The physical act of running also supports Murakami's writing in practical ways. The sedentary nature of writing can take a toll on the body, and Murakami found that running helped him stay physically fit and mentally sharp. By maintaining a healthy lifestyle through running, he's better equipped to handle the demands of his creative work.
Training the Body and Mind
Murakami's approach to running emphasizes the importance of training both the body and the mind. He learned this lesson the hard way during a marathon in Chiba Prefecture in 2001. Despite feeling strong and energetic for the first 18 miles, his legs suddenly cramped up, causing unbearable pain. He was forced to walk the final few miles, feeling a pang of regret and thinking, "I should have trained more."
This experience taught Murakami that running isn't just about mental determination – it also requires physical discipline. To prepare for his next marathon, he instituted a strict training regime. He increased his daily mileage and focused on the quality of his workouts, pushing himself a little harder each time he went out to run.
Murakami reflects on his first-ever marathon, which he ran along the historic route from Athens to Marathon in Greece. This grueling trek through the Greek countryside in midsummer was a true test of his resolve. Despite the intense heat, Murakami pushed through, growing more determined with each passing mile. The memory of this sheer determination is what continues to motivate him during tough races.
The author emphasizes that runners must teach their bodies to obey commands. This involves not only building physical stamina but also developing mental toughness. By consistently pushing himself in training, Murakami prepares both his body and mind for the challenges of long-distance running.
The Importance of Routine and Persistence
One of the key themes in Murakami's reflections on running and writing is the importance of routine and persistence. He describes how he manages to maintain his running schedule even during busy periods, such as book tours or when he's traveling.
During a two-week trip to Japan for publicity interviews and meetings, Murakami still found time to run every day. He would lace up his shoes and hit the trails around Jingu Gaien, the gardens surrounding Tokyo's Meiji Shrine, whenever he could squeeze in a run. This dedication to his routine, even in the face of a hectic schedule, demonstrates the persistence that Murakami believes is crucial for both running and writing.
Murakami stresses that success in both endeavors comes from showing up day after day, regardless of mood or circumstances. Just as a runner must stick to their training schedule to prepare for a marathon, a writer must sit down to write regularly, even when inspiration is lacking. This persistence, Murakami argues, is what separates successful writers and runners from those who give up when faced with challenges.
The author also points out that both running and writing require a long-term perspective. Improvements in running times or writing skills don't happen overnight but are the result of consistent effort over months and years. This long-term view helps Murakami stay motivated, even when he faces setbacks or disappointments in either pursuit.
The Role of Health in Creativity
Contrary to the stereotype of the tortured artist living a wild and unconventional life, Murakami believes that maintaining a healthy lifestyle is essential for his creative work. He argues that the act of writing itself can be emotionally taxing, as it often requires delving into deep and sometimes dark emotions.
Murakami explains that the richest and most beautiful artistic ideas are often found deep within oneself, but they are frequently accompanied by dark and destructive feelings. To produce his best work, he must regularly confront these toxic thoughts, which can be dangerous and exhausting.
To counterbalance the emotional toll of his creative process, Murakami maintains a healthy lifestyle. His daily runs, early bedtimes, and other wholesome habits keep him strong enough to face the pain and anguish he encounters during writing. This delicate balance allows him to continue producing powerful literature without succumbing to burnout.
The author's approach to health extends beyond just physical fitness. He fills his time with simple, pleasant activities like people-watching in the park, listening to his favorite music, and of course, running. These activities provide a sense of stability and normalcy that anchors him as he explores the often turbulent waters of his imagination in his writing.
The Ultramarathon Experience
One of the most intense experiences Murakami describes in the book is his participation in an ultramarathon – a race longer than the traditional 26.2-mile marathon distance. The ultramarathon Murakami ran was a grueling 62-mile course around Lake Saroma in Hokkaido, Japan.
Murakami vividly describes the surreal nature of running such an extreme distance. While the first half of the race went surprisingly smoothly, the last two dozen miles were a true test of his determination. He recalls how his entire body seemed to transform from the immense exertion, with his feet swelling so much that he had to change into bigger shoes mid-race.
To push through the pain and exhaustion, Murakami found himself entering a state of dissociation. He describes crossing an invisible barrier where he left his conscious mind behind and became almost machine-like, with the single goal of continuing to run. This feeling of complete emptiness, which Murakami likens to a religious epiphany, carried him through to the finish line.
However, the effects of the ultramarathon lingered long after the race was over. Murakami experienced what he calls "runner's blues" – a sense of disconnectedness and lack of joy in running that persisted for months afterward. While he continued to run, it no longer felt as meaningful or satisfying as it had before.
This experience highlights the extreme physical and mental challenges of ultramarathon running, as well as the profound impact such an event can have on an individual. It also demonstrates Murakami's willingness to push himself to his limits, both in his running and in his exploration of the human experience through his writing.
Accepting Limitations and Continuing Forward
As Murakami ages, he faces the reality of his changing physical capabilities. He describes his experience at the New York City Marathon, an event he had been looking forward to and training hard for. Despite his preparation and visualization of success, the race didn't go as planned. He struggled to maintain his desired pace and finished with a disappointing time of just over four hours.
Rather than becoming discouraged, Murakami accepts this outcome with a philosophical attitude. He recognizes that sometimes, life doesn't provide big climaxes or massive narrative payoffs. Instead, you simply do what you're able to do and continue moving forward.
This acceptance of limitations extends to his subsequent race at the Boston Marathon. Taking a different approach, he trained less intensively and started at a slower pace. The results were similar – a mediocre finish time – but Murakami again accepts this reality without excessive disappointment.
Murakami's attitude towards these experiences reflects his broader philosophy on running and life. He acknowledges that his performance will naturally decline with age, but he sees no reason to stop running. The activity has become an integral part of his identity, something he carries with him like a "dusty old suitcase." He compares it to the instinctive behaviors of animals, like salmon swimming upstream or wild ducks mating for life – it's simply something he does.
This perspective demonstrates Murakami's ability to find meaning and satisfaction in the process of running, rather than solely in the outcomes. It also reflects his understanding that both running and writing are lifelong pursuits, with ups and downs, successes and failures, all of which contribute to the overall journey.
Overcoming Challenges and Discovering Potential
Throughout the book, Murakami shares stories of overcoming challenges and discovering hidden potential within himself. One particularly poignant example is his experience with triathlons, which combine swimming, cycling, and running.
While running comes naturally to Murakami, he struggled with swimming, particularly in open water. During one triathlon, he panicked while swimming in the ocean and had to quit the race. This traumatic experience kept him away from triathlons for several years.
Determined to overcome this obstacle, Murakami sought out swimming instruction. After working with several coaches, he found one whose approach suited him. This instructor patiently worked with Murakami, gradually refining his technique until he became comfortable and confident in the water.
In 2006, Murakami returned to compete in another triathlon. Despite a moment of panic when his goggles fogged up during the swim, he was able to draw on his training, regain his composure, and complete the race. This accomplishment filled him with a sense of satisfaction, not because he won (he didn't even come close), but because he had managed to do something he once thought impossible.
This experience taught Murakami an important lesson about hidden strengths and untapped potential. He realized that while it's easy to focus on one's faults and shortcomings, with effort and perseverance, it's possible to discover and develop new abilities.
Murakami's triathlon story serves as a metaphor for his approach to both running and writing. In both pursuits, he continually pushes himself to overcome challenges, learn new skills, and explore the limits of his capabilities. This mindset of continuous growth and self-discovery is central to Murakami's philosophy on life and creativity.
The Spiritual Aspect of Long-Distance Running
Throughout the book, Murakami touches on the spiritual dimensions of long-distance running. While he doesn't frame it in explicitly religious terms, he often describes running experiences that transcend the physical and enter a realm that could be considered spiritual or metaphysical.
One of the clearest examples of this is Murakami's description of "the void" – the mental state he enters during long runs where his mind clears and the outside world seems to melt away. This state, which Murakami likens to meditation, provides him with a sense of peace and clarity that he finds deeply meaningful.
The ultramarathon experience, in particular, takes on an almost mystical quality in Murakami's telling. He describes pushing through an invisible barrier and leaving his conscious mind behind, becoming something other than human – a running machine with a singular purpose. This experience of transcending normal consciousness and accessing a different state of being has elements of spiritual or mystical experiences described in various traditions.
Even in less extreme circumstances, Murakami finds a kind of spirituality in the ritual and routine of running. The daily act of lacing up his shoes and hitting the trail becomes a form of moving meditation, a way to connect with himself and the world around him on a deeper level.
This spiritual dimension of running adds another layer to its importance in Murakami's life. It's not just about physical fitness or mental clarity, but also about accessing a state of being that goes beyond the everyday concerns of life. In this way, running becomes a tool for self-discovery and even self-transcendence.
Running as a Metaphor for Life
Throughout the book, Murakami often uses running as a metaphor for life itself. Many of the lessons he's learned through running apply equally well to other areas of life, including his writing career and personal relationships.
One of the key ideas Murakami returns to repeatedly is the importance of persistence and consistency. In running, as in life, success often comes not from sporadic bursts of effort but from showing up day after day, putting in the work even when it's difficult or uninspiring. This philosophy has served Murakami well in his writing career, where he's been able to produce a steady stream of acclaimed novels through consistent daily effort.
Another life lesson Murakami draws from running is the importance of setting personal goals and measuring success against one's own standards rather than constantly comparing oneself to others. In running, Murakami focuses on improving his own times and achieving his own goals rather than trying to outdo other runners. He applies this same principle to his writing, focusing on satisfying his own creative vision rather than chasing trends or trying to please critics.
Murakami also sees running as a metaphor for the journey of self-discovery that is life. Through running, he's learned to push his limits, overcome obstacles, and discover strengths he didn't know he had. These experiences have taught him valuable lessons about resilience, adaptability, and the untapped potential within himself – lessons that apply far beyond the realm of running.
The idea of accepting limitations while continuing to move forward is another running metaphor that Murakami applies to life. As he ages and his running times slow down, he accepts this reality while still finding joy and meaning in the act of running itself. This attitude of graceful acceptance combined with continued effort is one that can be applied to many of life's challenges and changes.
The Interplay of Physical and Mental Health
A recurring theme in Murakami's reflections is the close connection between physical and mental health. Through his experiences with running, he's come to understand how profoundly physical activity can impact mental and emotional wellbeing.
Murakami describes how running helps him manage stress and maintain emotional balance. The meditative state he enters during long runs allows him to process thoughts and feelings, often leading to greater clarity and calm. This mental reset is particularly valuable given the emotional demands of his creative work as a writer.
Moreover, Murakami finds that the physical discipline required for long-distance running translates into mental discipline in other areas of his life. The focus and endurance he's developed through running serve him well when he needs to concentrate on writing for long periods or push through challenging parts of a novel.
The author also notes how maintaining physical health through running has allowed him to better handle the mental and emotional rigors of his creative process. By keeping his body strong and healthy, he's better equipped to delve into the sometimes dark and difficult emotional territory that his writing requires.
This holistic view of health – recognizing the interconnectedness of physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing – is central to Murakami's philosophy. He sees his running routine not just as a way to stay in shape, but as an essential part of maintaining overall balance and wellness in his life.
The Joy of the Process
While Murakami certainly sets goals for himself in both running and writing, one of the key insights he shares is the importance of finding joy in the process itself, rather than focusing solely on outcomes.
In running, Murakami emphasizes that he doesn't run to compete against others or even to achieve specific times (although he does have personal goals). Instead, he runs because he enjoys the act of running itself. He finds satisfaction in the daily ritual, the feeling of his body in motion, and the sense of accomplishment that comes from completing a run, regardless of the pace or distance.
This same attitude applies to his writing. While he certainly aims to produce good work, Murakami stresses the importance of enjoying the writing process itself. He finds satisfaction in the daily act of sitting down to write, in wrestling with words and ideas, in slowly bringing a story to life.
This focus on process over outcome allows Murakami to maintain his motivation and enthusiasm for both running and writing over the long term. It also helps him weather disappointments and setbacks, as his satisfaction isn't solely dependent on achieving specific results.
Murakami's emphasis on finding joy in the process offers a valuable life lesson that extends beyond running and writing. It suggests that in any long-term endeavor, whether it's a career, a relationship, or a personal project, finding satisfaction in the day-to-day journey is key to sustained happiness and success.
Final Thoughts
"What I Talk About When I Talk About Running" offers a unique blend of memoir, running log, and philosophical reflection. Through Murakami's experiences and insights, readers gain not just an understanding of long-distance running, but also a window into the mind of a prolific and acclaimed novelist.
The parallels Murakami draws between running and writing are particularly illuminating. Both pursuits require discipline, endurance, and a willingness to push through discomfort. Both involve solitary effort and self-motivation. And both, in Murakami's experience, offer opportunities for self-discovery and personal growth.
Perhaps the most powerful message of the book is the importance of finding one's own path and pursuing it with dedication and joy. Murakami didn't set out to become either a novelist or a marathon runner, but by following his instincts and committing fully to these pursuits, he found fulfillment and success in both.
The book also offers a compelling argument for the value of maintaining physical health as a foundation for creative and intellectual work. Murakami's running routine isn't just about staying fit; it's an essential part of his writing process, providing the physical stamina and mental clarity he needs to produce his novels.
Ultimately, "What I Talk About When I Talk About Running" is a meditation on the intertwining of body and mind, the rewards of persistent effort, and the discovery of oneself through challenging pursuits. It's a book that will resonate not just with runners or writers, but with anyone who's ever committed themselves to a long-term goal or sought to understand their own capabilities and limits.
Murakami's honest, thoughtful reflections invite readers to consider their own life journeys, the activities that bring them joy and meaning, and the ways in which seemingly disparate pursuits might in fact be deeply connected. Whether you're a fan of Murakami's fiction, a running enthusiast, or simply someone interested in the creative process, this book offers valuable insights and a uniquely personal perspective from one of the world's most intriguing authors.