I came across this book in the library. I admit that I didn’t read the whole thing but I flipped through it. It’s just as much about life as it is about running.
Here are my favorite quotes from the book:
1.“Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional. Say you’re running and you think, ‘Man, this hurts, I can’t take it anymore. The ‘hurt’ part is an unavoidable reality, but whether or not you can stand anymore is up to the runner himself.”
2.“People sometimes sneer at those who run every day, claiming they’ll go to any length to live longer. But I don’t think that’s the reason most people run. Most runners run not because they want to live longer, but because they want to live life to the fullest. If you’re going to while away the years, it’s far better to live them with clear goals and fully alive than in a fog, and I believe running helps you do that. Exerting yourself to the fullest within your individual limits: that’s the essence of running, and a metaphor for life…
3. “I’ll be happy if running and I can grow old together.”
4. “I have only a few reasons to keep on running, and a truckload of them to quit. All I can do is keep those few reasons nicely polished.”
5. “You make do with what you have. As you age you learn even to be happy with what you have.“
6. “The most important thing we learn at school is the fact that the most important things can’t be learned at school.”
Anyway, it also got me thinking to what I talk about when I talk about running..
- Trying to convince myself that pace doesn’t matter anymore.
- Grateful to my tennis friends who convinced me to become a runner.
- Running the NYC Marathon was one of the the best decisions I’ve ever made.
- Running friends (both in person and virtual) are great.
- Anyone who wants to CAN run a 5k, half marathon, marathon…
- I hope I can continue to run for a long time…
- I love to race.
Definitely not as profound as Murakami. lol
Happy Running! Have you read this book? What do you talk about when you talk about running? Please share.
It’s Friday so I’m also linking up with bloggers, Me (My First 5K and More), Running With Attitude, Run Laugh Eat Pie, Runs with Pugs, and Zenaida!
So Join in!
And don’t forget to link back to your hostesses and visit some other bloggers.
My First 5K and More... 
I’ve heard about this book but never read it. i love these quotes, especially about running helping you live life to the fullest. And yes, I also running and me to grow old together! I should read this book- it sounds great.
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These quotes really spoke to me
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I have not read this book yet but I do love those quotes you have picked. I hope running and I ca grow old together too
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Yes. For both of us.
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I’ve read some of his other books. I love this one ““You make do with what you have. As you age you learn even to be happy with what you have.“
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I have read this book and loved it, just as I love your post here. I tell people running is my fountain of youth. I’m often told I look much younger than I am and when people say that, I say it’s thanks partly to running, which has helped keep me healthy.
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You do look young. And I agree I think I do too.
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Thanks! I think you do as well!
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I think your points are profound! I love this book, though, and have read it two or three times, once the night before my first marathon. I love “Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional.” and use it as a mantra in a hard race or run. Although I do have my other mantra: “She is a dull but competent runner” which has also got me through some stuff!
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That’s a great mantra too.
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