I have run 16 marathons, most of them in different countries, and people often ask me ”Which one is the best?” It’s not easy to say since each race is different; it really depends on what you mean by ”best”. When I sign up for a marathon, I have different goals depending on where the race takes place. Some races are flat and good for doing personal best whereas others are too hilly or too crooked for beating your time but the scenic view or the city itself is more important.  

It’s the same with books. There is no book that I can say is ”the best I have ever read” since that depends on the genre, my mood, my expectations etc. Maybe I could say about some books that ”this is the best book in this category that I have read so far” or ”this book appeals to me because I read it at a time where I was receptive for this genre”. Sometimes I need a book that makes me think and reflect upon life but sometimes I really need a good comfort book, predictable maybe, where I want it to be a happy ending. 

Paris Marathon is one my best race memories since I love Paris and I always go back. It’s a beautiful city to run in; it’s like running in a big museum. The logistics are good (too little toilets, though, but that’s a problem in most races). The ambiance is great and with your name on the number, the spectators shout your name and encourage you. The first time someone shouted ”Allez, Anne!” I was wondering how this person knew my name until I realized it was printed on the tag. The support from the people around is very important since it gives so much energy and will to continue.  

Home page: http://www.schneiderelectricparismarathon.com/en/  

I always love books where the setting is in New York City and this one is one of the best: 

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer. The story takes place in New York City after 9/11 and it depicts life after the catastrophe for many people. The main character is a nine-year old boy named Oskar who lost his father that day. However, this book, I think, is so much more than just about loss; it is so deep with emotions and I think that most people can recognize themselves in Oskar’s thoughts. I like the shift of narrative in each chapter. The characters are all unique in their own strange and wonderful way; I feel I become very close to them. Especially when reading the book for the second time because I know the structure so I can concentrate on the beauty of the language and the essence of the story. The book makes me laugh and it makes me cry. It is funny and sad at the same time and it moves because it describes life. Foer plays with words. He uses the words in the title frequently. Oskar very often says the word ”extremely” and ”incredible” and very often together with ”loud” and ”close”. This kind of writing appeals to me. I strongly recommend this book if you want to absorb in a beautiful story both happy and sad and not predictable at all.  

My favorite line from the book: ”You cannot protect yourself from sadness without protecting yourself from happiness” (p. 180, Penguin books, 2005). 

Other books with settings in New York: The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt, Moon Palace and the New York Trilogy by Paul Auster (I am a true Paul Auster fan so I’ll write more about that in another blog). 

My 40th year’s birthday was on a Sunday so I just had to run a marathon – the best way to celebrate your birthday! So, I looked for marathons on that date and fell for The Garda Lake Marathon. This is one of the most beautiful marathons that I’ve run with its scenic view of the mountains, the lake and the vineyards. Like balm for the soul. The logistics was a little complicated since the race started in Limone on the west side of the lake and the finish line was in Malcesine on the other side. We chose to stay near the finish line so in the morning we had to take a boat to the other side which we nearly missed because it wasn’t very clear from where it went (I burned a lot of adrenalin then…).  

Home page: http://www.lakegardamarathon.com/home.html  

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë. Maybe the best love story that I’ve read. The relationship between Jane and Mr. Rochester, how it develops and how it goes – I love reading this again and again; I don’t know why. Maybe because it’s not a traditional love story. They are quite ill-matched as a couple but somehow just meant for each other. Maybe I just like the romance. Also, I can read it just to enjoy the beauty and the nuances of the English language from the 19th century. 

Amsterdam Marathon is one of the races that I wish to run again. It’s flat and have good potential for personal best; it’s a beautiful race with variations in the surroundings. Great support from spectators and good organization. Amsterdam is a place to go if you like art, food, shopping and strolling. It has a cozy and friendly atmosphere and people are nice. When I ran the marathon in 2015, I had a hamstring strain so I wasn’t sure if I could finish the race. I had no expectations and therefore, I was relaxed and I could enjoy every moment. When it got hard (it always does at some point) I started looking around and really absorbing the atmosphere, enjoying the presence; I took away focus from what went on inside me. There were many funny signs and I remember one saying: ”Run like you’ve stolen something” which really made me laugh. 

Home page: http://www.tcsamsterdammarathon.nl/en/

What I talk about when I talk about running by Haruki Murakami. A book I’ve read a couple of times and it always confirms what it is for me to be a runner. I can recommend this book for everyone who wishes to understand runners, to understand me and the importance of running and exercising.  

A quotation from the book: ”People sometimes sneer at those who run every day, claiming they’ll go to any length to live longer. But I don’t think that’s the reason most people run. Most runners run not because they want to live longer, but because they want to live life to the fullest […] Exerting yourself to the fullest within your individual limits: that’s the essence of running, and a metaphor for life” (p. 82-83, Vintage Books, 2009).