First book of 2026
Title: Run with the wind
Author: Shion Miura
Translator: Yui Kajita
A book on running. For someone who enjoys running, what better book to start my 2026 with.
Summary: The Hakone Ekiden is a intercollage, 10-member team relay marathon that took place every new year in Japan. It span over 2 days, over 200KM. For the longest time, Kiyose had been on the lookout to fill up the last room at Chikusei-so, a 10-room dormitory for selected students at Kansei University. And the moment Kiyose met Kakeru, he knew the latter was the missing piece to the puzzle. Once Kiyose pulled Kakeru in, he revealed his great plan to run the Hakone Ekiden. Alas, except for Kiyose and Kakeru, the other 8 occupants of Chikusei-so had never ran before, or had not ran in a long time. How were they going to pull off such a great feat?
First of all, this isn’t a book on how to run. So if you are hoping that this book will tell you how to run or train for a marathon, how your training form should be etc… There is none of it mentioned. Rather, this is a book about friendship, overcoming fears and weaknesses and pushing to the limits.
I had fun in the beginning of the book getting to know each of the occupants at Chikusei-so, and reading how they progressed from being absolutely bad at running to beginning to love running and completing even a 20KM run individually.
Each character in the story has their own back story and I appreciate how it is mentioned during their individual relays. Each of them has their own demons to overcome, which is elaborated in their backstory and breathed life into the characters, and brought them closer to the reader. I find myself really rooting for each of them as they did the tedious 20KM run and hoping they will not get overtaken by the rival schools.
I enjoyed this book. I like the way the author described the emotions of doing what one is passionate about. Kudos to the translator for doing a good job. At times, I would get so motivated I felt like closing the book, and running out on a run myself. It made me want to try harder, and persevere on just for a bit more whenever I feel like giving up.
Though 'Run with the Wind' does not offer training tips, I found exploring the characters’ personal struggles and their growth particularly enriching. For runners or anyone interested in personal development, it highlights that perseverance often comes from within, fueled by friendship and shared goals. In my experience, books like these remind us that running isn’t just about physical fitness but also about mental resilience. Each character’s journey reflects real challenges: fear of failure, self-doubt, and the effort to embrace something new. Such stories encourage taking small steps towards consistent improvement, much like adopting minimalism in life—focusing on what truly matters and leaving distractions behind. Additionally, this novel celebrates the power of community in pushing boundaries. Just as essentialism urges us to prioritize and simplify, the athletes’ story teaches that focusing on essential relationships and goals can make daunting challenges achievable. Whether you’re a runner or simply looking for motivation to start a new habit, the emotional depth in this book is profoundly inspiring. For those interested in aesthetics, the book cover and overall design subtly complement the themes of clarity and focus, echoing minimalist principles. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the most impactful stories are told with simplicity and heart, resonating long after the final page.
The anime is also really good!