In Haruki Murakami's book, "What I Talk About When I Talk About Running," he shares his personal relationship with running, viewing it as a dual purpose of physical exercise and self-improvement. Each race and training session serve not only to build endurance but also to encourage personal growth. He emphasizes that the journey is about progress rather than competition against others, focusing on surpassing his previous self rather than achieving greatness as a runner.

Murakami acknowledges that he is an ordinary or even mediocre runner, yet he finds value in the effort he puts into running each day. His ultimate goal is self-elevation, constantly striving to better himself compared to who he was yesterday. For him, the real challenge lies in competing with his own past performances, highlighting the introspective nature of long-distance running.