The book is called “What I Talk About When I Talk About Running” by the well-known Japanese author Haruki Murakami (ISBN 978-0-09-953253-8).

In his free time, Murakami-san is an avid marathon runner and triathlete, and he provide insight to this passion in all its facets. He describes how it supports him in his work as an author, how it shapes his everyday life, how he deals with the “ups and downs” over the years, which goals he pursues, and how he adjusted them over the decades. He also shares how he manages to keep running after the 35th kilometer, even when his body doesn’t want to go any further step, and how he copes with motivation slumps, something many of us are certainly familiar with. These are all topics that resonate with my experience practising Aikido.

All this spiced up and illustrated with interesting anecdotes. For example, once he asked a professional runner if he also sometimes struggles with motivation; he only receives a compassionate smile and a “Of course, everyonen is facing that” in response.

As usual with this author, the book is an easy and entertaining read. A tip for German speakers: there is an audiobook with an excellent narrator from Hörbuch Hamburg Verlag, also available on Audible.

Happy reading and many inspiring thoughts

Axel Bergemann