Running This Town

1 year ago

Right now I am aiming at increasing the distance I run, so speed is less of an issue.As long as I can run a certain distance, that’s all I care about. Sometimes I run fast when I feel like it, but if I increase the pace I shorten the amount of time I run, the point being to let the exhileration I feel at the end of each run carry over to the next day… To keep on going, you have to keep up the rhythm. This is the important thing for long-term projects. Once you set the pace, the rest will follow. The problem is getting the flywheel to spin at a set speed—and to get to that point takes as much concentration and effort as you can manage. »

Haruki Murakami, What I Talk About When I Talk About Running, 2008

I’m reading this lately because a coworker suggested it, and brought it in, and put it on my desk, so it was quite effortless. I am glad I am. I read it on the bus, and it helps to get into the head of someone else who runs for himself. Murakami explores his own motivation for running, which I find helping ME explore my motivation and my goals and my process. He also often compares running to writing, which is also helpful to someone (me, guys) who is trying to constantly create.

More excerpts to follow, but I do recommend reading it, or at least taking a few seconds to think about your own goals/process. Why do you continue to run? What brought you here and what makes you move on? Etc etc. Sorry to get all heady on you.

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