June — 251 kms (62 kms per week)
July — 297 kms (74 kms per week)
August — 347 kms (87 kms per week)
These aren’t stats of any pro athlete, but one of the most famous writers around: Murakami.
Many of us know him as a brilliant author with a style of magical realism. But many of us don’t know that he is an avid runner. Saying avid would be selling him short — for someone who runs almost 10 kms every day, and has completed 100 km races and triathlons.
In his book “What I talk about when I talk about running” he touches upon a few interesting insights:
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How his natural desire “to run even more” powered his motivation to not go back to smoking — every intense act from creative pursuits to general excellence needs to be balanced with positive physical aspects.
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When he completed his first full Marathon — “I finally reach the end. Strangely, I have no feeling of accomplishment, only relief.”
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Exerting yourself to the fullest within your individual limits: “That’s the essence of running, and a metaphor for life — and for me, for writing as well.”
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What he said to himself when the pain was so excruciating during his 100 km race — “I’m not human. I’m a piece of machinery. I don’t need to feel a thing. Just forge on ahead.”
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His running mentality — “I stopped a lot to stretch, but I never walked. I didn’t come here to walk. I came to run.”
He left me to ponder on one thing — every human needs a vice… find yours!
On his gravestone he’d like written:
Haruki Murakami · 1949–20** · Writer (and Runner) At Least He Never Walked