Last week I borrowed Haruki Murakami’s autobiography from the library and finished it the same evening, despite the fact in was in English. I saw it some month ago, but I don’t know why I didn’t take it until now. I haven’t read too many biographies (being honest, any biography) and I’m not sure about what feelings they should arouse in you. But if it’s respect, fascination and even identification, Murakami hit the nail on the head. I know that not everybody will think the same, but as a runner I couldn’t help nodding my head in agreement at some point while I was reading.
Don’t get me wrong: "What I talk about when I talk about running" it’s not a book about running. The topic is used as a connecting thread in the narration. Of course, he talks a lot about running…but that’s a plus for me! I don’t know how many of you are runners, like the sport in general or consider it a plain torture, but have you ever asked yourself (or to a runner if you’re not one) what they think about when they run?
The void
It can seem a silly question, but I found it rather difficult to answer. Well, being correct, to explain it; and this is why I loved how Murakami expressed it. It’s a void, and your thoughts around it. Obviously you think about something (I hardly ever if ever can leave my mind completely blank) when you run, but usually random thoughts come to your mind, sometimes strangely unconnected ones. Of course, you can force yourself to think about something specific, like when I force myself to study while I run, or to organize your day, but I try to avoid it. Instead, it’s wonderful to feel how easily your thoughts just flow when you run, (even if they are unconnected or random ) and your mind jump from one to another.
Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional.
Another point is the pain. Most of people think running is painful. I won’t like, sometimes (quite often, actually) it is painful. You have to put up with the cold and the wind in winter and the heat in summer; even if you usually train, after more than one hour the sole of your feet will probably burn, your muscles soar and your lunges scream "air!". But as Murakami pointed wisely, pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional. It all depends on how do you take it. Don’t focus in the pain, but in what it brings to you: peace of mind, stronger muscles, a stronger circulatory system, willpower. Actually, I think I would have gone crazy if I didn’t run. Running is my escape valve. Which is yours?
Yesteday’s after-run snack: oatmeal with raisins, nuts, ground flaxseeds and avocado. Delicious!
Just for health?
Murakami began to run to stay fit. When he closed his bar and began a new life as a full-time novelist, he found that he wasn’t moving enough. In the bar, he was always going from one place to another, but now he was almost always sitting. Honestly, I don’t remember the exact reason why I began to run; I was ten years old, and it was definitely not a usual hobby for someone of my age. Of course, most of kids like running, but while they play hide-and-seek not as a runners.
Those of you who practice a sport, which is your motivation? What drives you to go on with it? I had been five years in the volleyball school team, and it this case it was no because health. I thought it would do me good to know more people (it was my first year in secondary school). I met almost all my closest friends in the team and we are still together, so it was not such a bad idea.
Also, I was a hitter, and sending the ball as strong as I could against the other team just felt great. Especially when you were in a bad mood and could reach some especially annoying and conceited opponent in the head.
When I finished the book, without any doubt I put on my trainers, took the music player and went for a very long run. This is what I call an inspiring book.
Orange chocolate cookies
Another thing I like about running is that you can indulge yourself from time to time (although I think I do it more often than time to time), and is there a better way than eating homemade cookies? I did those for a friend of mine, as a little birthday present. She told me they were a hit and even asked for the recipe, so this time it was not only me (or my father, who doesn’t count as an indicator because he seems to like anything sweet I bake) who thought they turned out really good. The orange and the chocolate are a winning combo and complement each other perfectly.
From: (loosely) inspired in Heidi’s Banana Chip Cookies
2 cups flour (I used all propose)
1 cup oats
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup margarine
1 cup sugar
1 tbspoon flaxseeds + 2 tbspoon water
50 g chocolate chips
juice of 1/2 orange
peel of 1 orange
Preheat the oven at 180ºC.
Mix the dry ingredients: flur, oats, baking powder, orange zest and soda and salt. Set aside.
Gring the flaxseeds and beat with the water. Leave it to stand for some minutes (the texture must resemble to a beaten egg)
Beat the margarine with the sugar. Add the flaxseeds mixture and orange juice to it. Mix the dry and wet ingredients.
Chop the chocolate in small pieces (if you’re not using chips) and add it too.
If the batter is too liquid, refrigerate for 15min until you can form little balls. Grease a baking tray or use parchment paper and place the balls of dough (flatten them a little). Bake 5 minutes on one side and 2-3 minutes on the other. Do not overbake!
And if you didn’t have enough chocolate, don’t miss the recipe in the next post: chocolate chili with navy beans, kale and pumpkin. Ah, and happy Eastern to everybody! 
Have you done something special these holidays?
I actually just finished reading the same book! I’m glad to hear that you enjoyed it; I did, too. As someone who runs daily and also loves to write, I found Murakami’s thoughts on pain, endurance, and healthy living to be very interesting and inspiring, sometimes very close to my own.
The orange chocolate cookies sound really delicious! Great flavor pairing. And happy Easter to you, too!
I would dare to say that almost all the runners (and maybe many others who are not) who read his book will fell the same way
He has the ability to really connect with the readers (or at least he did in my case).
I don’t know if it’s coincidence, but I also got a Google buzz from one of my contacts with a quote from the book (“Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional”)….the same day I finished (and borrowed) the book, when that person couldn’t know I was reading it.
I think more people (not only runners) should read that book, because his live philosophy is very inspirational
I just found your blog through flickr and will read as soon as I can Murakami’s book. I’m a runner myself and I thank you for you inspiring post and blog.
I know how difficult is to find inspiration, so if it this blog helped you even if it’s just a little… this is one of the best compliments you could have paid
And I highly recommend Murakami’s book. If you read it, tell me what did you think about it
Loved your blog… found it while searching for Murakami’s quote about pain and suffering.
I’m a runner myself, and also vegetarian too. Looking forward to using some of your recipes to satisfy my sweet cravings.
Keep the posts coming.
Also check out my blog rondoesboston.blogspot.com
It’s a collection of my thoughts as I prepared for the 2010 Boston Marathon.