WHAT

  I TALK

   ABOUT

   WHEN

   I TALK

  ABOUT

RUNNING    
BY HARUKI MURAKAMI .

I am writing this up after nearly 4 weeks so it is a much reduced, intense yet well-balanced version of the one you should have got.

We welcomed Chris as a new member to the group but not a stranger to the wonderful Mr Murakami. A lot of people cited him as a “top 5” author. His novels and short stories have delighted, amused and generally transported into a dream-like other world all those who have picked them up.

This relatively short and beautifully packaged book is described as a memoir and the closest he has come so far to an autobiography, albeit a very selective one dealing with successful events on the whole. He allows us to be party to how he motivates himself, entertains himself and deals with mutinous limbs during the training for and running of many marathons.

He comes across as very modest, funny, a perfectionist and hugely competitive:

“The only opponent you have to beat is yourself, the way you used to be.”

I loved his mantra: “Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional.” This prompts the question “What is your mantra?”

I will finish with the lyrics from a song that gets referenced in the book. It mentions dreaming a lot but also walking, something Mr Murakami does not really approve of.

He has inspired many writers and runners. Go Haruki!

THE LOVIN' SPOONFUL lyrics - Daydream

What a day for a day dream,
What a day for a day dreamin' boy.
And I'm lost in a day dream,
Dreamin' 'bout my bundle of joy.
And even if time ain't really on my side,
It's one of those days for taking a walk outside.
I'm blowing the day to take a walk in the sun,
And fall on my face in somebody's new mowed lawn.

I've been havin' a sweet dream,
I've been dreamin' since I woke up today,
It's starring me in my sweet dream,
'Cause she's the one that makes me feel this way,
And even if time is passin' me by a lot,
I couldn't care less about the dues you say I got.
Tomorrow I'll pay the dues for dropping my load.
A pie in the face for being a sleepy bull toad.

And you can be sure that if you're feelin right
A day dream will last a long time into the night.
Tomorrow at breakfast you may prick up your ears,
Or you may be dreamin' for a thousand years.