“Most runners run not because they want to live longer, but because they want to live life to the fullest. If you’re going to while away the years, it’s far better to live them with clear goals and fully alive then in a fog, and I believe running helps you to do that. Exerting yourself to the fullest within your individual limits: that’s the essence of running, and a metaphor for life — and for me, for writing as whole. “

That is my favourite Murakami’s quote from the book What I Talk About When I Talk About Running.

I think that is the reason why I go running. I always loved to run, since I was a child. I remember that during lunch time at secondary school I spent my time running in the courtyard, and now, at 27, I still do the same, even though I got into the habit of getting up early and going for a run first, before going to work. My 30 days challenge is just a pretext to run daily, and it gives me the necessary determination to not even miss a workout. I know I have to get up, I know I have to go running. And I do it.

I hope this blog can be an inspiration for you, and that it can convey to you what I have learned in recent years from my failures and my victories.

WHERE DO I RUN?

I am currently in Italy, so I run in the little town where I live in the countryside. I usually go around the town every morning, and this takes me between 30 and 40 minutes. During the weekend I take a longer tour, which includes the tour of the 3 neighboring towns.

Last year I ran in London, where I had moved for a while. I prefer to run in the middle of nature, where there is no traffic. This little town gives me the chance to do it, and the not-too-hot climate that is right now helps me a lot.

The real question is where I will run in the future. I would like to run everywhere, going around the world and running amidst the beauties of nature

WHY I RUN EVERY DAY

I’m crazy? Maybe. But I feel the physiological need to run. Running has become like breathing, I must do it. At first it was hard a little, I felt fatigue in my legs, and my mind tried to stop me. After starting my challenge, I got used to it and now I run quietly. I’ve chosen to run every day, without days off, because I think that the body must realize that it has to run every day, and get used to the effort. Muscles need to stay toned and ready for running.

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