The Way of the Runner

A Journey into the Fabled World of Japanese Running

By: Adharanand Finn

Narrated by: Derek Perkins

Welcome to Japan, the most running-obsessed nation on Earth and home to a unique running culture unlike anything Adharanand Finn, author of Running with the Kenyans, has even experienced.

It may come as a surprise to many people, but Japan is the most running-obsessed country on Earth. A 135-mile relay race, or ekiden, 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. The legendary "marathon monks" run a thousand marathons in a thousand days to reach spiritual enlightenment. Yet so much of Japan's running culture remains a mystery to the outside world, on par with many of the unique aspects of contemporary Japan.

Adharanand Finn, the award-winning author of Running with the Kenyans, spent six months immersed in this one-of-a-kind 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 a Japanese approach to training might help him run faster. What he learns - about competition, teamwork, form, chasing personal bests, and himself - will fascinate and surprise anyone keen to explore why we run and how we might do it better.

©2015 Adharanand Finn (P)2016 Audible, Inc.

wow

felt like i was there with the writer following along on the journey to understand Japanese running

I’m not a runner…

…but I love Adharanand Finn! Great narration, too, from Derek Perkins—perfect narration for this author. You detect such a range of emotions and elements of the human condition from the book and from the tone in which it is read. I am a walker and I switched to the minimalist shoes after listening to “Running With the Kenyons” and almost immediately was able to walk further with no stress on my knees, ankles and hips—all of which had been causing pain prior to the shoe change. I also lost 30 pounds very quickly after extending my walk distance ability. I think that listening to a dedicated runner made me ask just a little more from myself! Great book. Inspiring.

Good book about team work and determination

this is the second book I've read by Finn. looking forward to his next one.

Dó roughly means the way in Japanese

I am an avid runner and found this to be a very entertaining take on running in a foreign land.

Fantastic book, interesting subject

I really liked the content of this book. There was a bit too much about the trials of his travel, but everything about the running was fantastic. Great narration!

Learning the way of the Runner

Great follow up to his book Running with the Kenyans, fin does masterful job of making you feel as if you are in Japan running with the Japanese. Experiencing their culture and understanding why they are so great at running. Being a marathon runner and having been on winning relay team I understand ekiden the relay everybody in Japan looks forward too. I may never get to visit Japan but getting to hear through his words how it is was sure inspirational. If your a runner and competitor you'll love this book!

All of his books are good

Great story teller. Anyone interested in why we run should listen to all three of his books. Good stuff.

Interesting take on running culture in Japan

Adharanand Finn, the author, this time takes you to Japan, where he discover the japanese running obsession. The story plot is interesting, especially for those who is currently training for the race or just running for pleasure.

I loved every minute of it!

This is totally a binge worthy audio! The story and cultural context being compared and contrasted with Kenyan running style training was fascinating. And then the ending did not disappoint!

I loved how he talks about the pain

From marathons to ultra’s...I love how he describes the pain...the desire to quit, yet the will to go on...I’ve read a few ultra books by some of the elite runners and honestly this is my favorite so far.