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The Way of the Runner

By: Adharanand Finn
Narrated by: Derek Perkins
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Publisher's Summary

A journey into Japan's fabled running culture from the award-winning author of Running with the Kenyans.

Welcome to Japan, the most running-obsessed nation on earth, a place where a 135-mile relay race is the country's biggest annual sporting event. Thousands of professional runners compete for corporate teams in some of the most competitive races in the world. Marathon monks run a thousand marathons in a thousand days to reach spiritual enlightenment.

Adharanand Finn spent six months immersed in this unique running culture to discover what it might teach us about the sport and about Japan. As an amateur runner about to turn 40, he also hoped to find out whether the Japanese approach to training might help him run faster. What he learned - about competition, teamwork, form, chasing personal bests and himself - will fascinate anyone keen to explore why we run and how we might do it better.

©2015 Adharanand Finn (P)2016 Audible, Ltd

What listeners say about The Way of the Runner

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Well researched account of Japanese running

I really enjoyed this book and learnt a lot about Japanese running and their culture’s motivation. It follows in the same theme of the author’s previous and future books so if you enjoyed those, you will also like this one.

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  • Dan
  • 24-06-2016

Another cracker from Aharanand Finn! Great read!

A great read and another really interesting insight into a new world of running. Check it out fo' sure!

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Good insights

Detail insights of the Japanese culture of running, the reason I listen to it was to get to know different cultures too which is a plus.

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Very Interesting Book

A good book, and like Running with the Kenyans, a little self obsessed. However, being a middle aged runner I get that. It just seems to me that the vast majority of club runners already know what it is to run in a relay (Ekiden), have felt the pressure of running for a team, etc. So this 'novelty' is not so unique to Japan. The background on their coaching attitude, professional running, monks etc was great. Don't get me wrong, this book is well worth the time.

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Inspiring stuff, and fascinating, too.

Hard to believe this fanatical culture exists in Japan and the rest of the world is oblivious. Finn has found a perfect balance between travel and culture writer and running nerd. Good running literature can be hard to find. New book please, Finn, and soon! There must be more exotic running cultures out there to discover.

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Engaging mostly, insightful in parts.

If your fascinated by running in general I would recommend otherwise probably not for your standard reader

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Learnt about Ekiden runners

If you like running, this book will inspire you more. It have some nuggets to help you run faster. And also explained why Ekiden is so popular in Japan. What does it like running a relay marathon.

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