The Japanese writer Haruki Murakami is perhaps known to very many connoisseurs of modern literature. But runners know him from the other side. Haruki Murakami is one of the most famous marathon runners in the world.
This renowned novelist has been involved in triathlon and marathon races for a large amount of time. Thus, the great writer took part in super marathon distances. In 2005, he ran the New York Marathon with a score of 4 hours 10 minutes and 17 seconds.
In addition, Marakami's love of running was reflected in his work - in 2007, the prose writer wrote the book What I Talk About When I Talk About Running. As Haruki Murakami himself said: "Sincerely writing about running means sincerely writing about yourself." Read about the biography and work of the famous Japanese man, as well as the marathon distances that he covered, and the book he wrote, in this article.
About Haruki Murakami
Biography
The illustrious Japanese was born in Kyoto in 1949. His grandfather was a priest and his father was a Japanese language teacher.
Haruki studied classical drama at university.
In 1971, he married a classmate girl, with whom he still lives. Unfortunately, there are no married children.
Creation
The first work of H. Murakami, "Listen to the song of the wind", was published in 1979.
Then, almost every year, his plays, novels and collections of stories were published.
The most famous of them are as follows:
- "Norwegian Forest",
- "Chronicles of a Clockwork Bird"
- "Dance, dance, dance",
- Sheep Hunt.
H. Murakami was awarded the Kafka Prize for his works, which he received in 2006.
He also works as a translator and has translated many classics of modern literature, including translated some works by F. Fitzgerald, as well as D. Selinger's novel "The Catcher in the Rye".
H. Murakami's attitude to sports
This famous writer, in addition to his creative success, became famous for his love of sports. So, he actively participates in overcoming marathon distances, and is also passionate about triathlon. He started running at the age of 33.
H. Murakami took part in several marathon races, as well as ultramarathon and ultramarathon distances. So, his best, New York Marathon, the writer ran in 1991 in 3 hours and 27 minutes.
Marathons run by H. Murakami
Boston
Haruki Murakami has already covered this marathon distance six times.
New york
The Japanese writer covered this distance three times. In 1991 he showed the best time here - 3 hours and 27 minutes. Then the prose writer was 42 years old.
Ultramarathon
Hundred kilometers around Lake Saroma (Hokkaido, Japan) H. Murakami ran in 1996.
Book "What I Talk About When I Talk About Running"
This work, according to the author himself, is a kind of collection of "sketches about running, but not the secrets of a healthy lifestyle." The published work was published in 2007.
The Russian translation of this book was published in September 2010, and immediately became a bestseller among fans of the author and admirers of his "running talent".
Haruki Murakami himself reported about his work: "Sincerely writing about running means sincerely writing about yourself."
The prose writer in this work describes his own running sessions for long distances. Including the book tells about the participation of H. Murakami in various marathons, as well as ultramarathon.
It is interesting that the writer compares literary sports and labor in the book and put an equal sign between them. So, in his opinion, overcoming a long distance is like working on a novel: this activity requires endurance, concentration, absorption and great willpower.
The author wrote almost all the chapters of the book between 2005 and 2006, and only one chapter a little earlier.
In the work, he talks about sports and sports, and also recalls his participation in various marathon races and other competitions, including a triathlon, as well as an ultramarathon around Lake Saroma.
H. Murakami remains not only the most Russian of Japanese writers, one of the most widely read prose writers of our time, but also an excellent example for many athletes.
Despite the fact that he started running quite late - at the age of 33 - he achieved great success, regularly goes in for sports and takes part in annual competitions, including marathons. And he expounded his memoirs and thoughts in a specially written book that every runner should read. The example of a Japanese writer can be inspiring for many runners.
