In 1982, having sold his jazz bar to devote himself to writing, Murakami began running to keep fit. A year later, he'd completed a solo course from Athens to Marathon, and now, after dozens of such races, not to mention triathlons and a dozen critically acclaimed books, he reflects upon the influence the sport has had on his life and--even more important--on his writing.--From publisher description.

"Originally published in Japan ... by Bungeishunjåu, Ltd., Tokyo, in 2007"--T.p. verso. "A Borzoi book."