Since I have been at Soneva Fushi, I have become reacquainted with my love of running. Following my blog post about using the habit of running to discover the island, here are some of the most inspiring books about running out there.
What I Talk About When I Talk About Running by Haruki Murakami
Murakami is best known for his fiction, but for me What I Talk About When I Talk About Running is his masterwork. This is not simply a book about how and why we run, but a voyage into the psychological depths of the sport. For Murakami, running is a process of self-discovery, as he argues that “every mile is a journey further into yourself”. It’s inspiring, enlightening and completely addictive, much like running itself.
‘Marathon’ from The Right Intention by Andres Barba
I’ve never read another short story around the theme of running, but I don’t know how this one could be bettered. It follows a man whose marathon training becomes an addiction, taking over his life, his work, and his relationship with his wife, and displays the power of running to take over the mind as well as the body. The entire collection from Andres Barba is phenomenal and I sincerely recommend it.
Born to Run by Christopher McDougall
Tarahumara Indians are able to run hundreds of miles without rest or injury. Journalist and runner Christopher McDougall investigates how an isolated Mexican tribe became the best distance runners in the world in a book that will shock and inspire. It’s full of history and science – running was a crucial part of human evolutionary survival, as well as a fascinating personal story of the author’s own journey with the sport.