 |
| Runner Huynh Anh Thuan introducing a great book on running to everyone |
“Books are an endless source of inspiration that help many people start running.” That was the central idea of the discussion named Books and Running, which took place at Hue Book and Culture Space on the morning of March 16th.
Moreover, reading books and running share many similarities. Both require discipline, commitment, and focus. They also foster team spirit and serve as a journey of self-development, as highlighted by the veteran runner and event moderator Bui Xuan Hoa.
Sharing this sentiment, Ms. Tran Nguyen Lan Khue, who recently took up running, revealed that she was inspired by the book titled Self-Improvement by John C. Maxwell. In the book, the author suggests running as a means of personal growth. Motivated by this idea, she decided to give it a try and soon realized significant progress - not only through reading but also through running.
Mr. Pham Van Thach from Huong Giang Runners Club also shared his joy in connecting books with running. While running on different routes, he developed a curiosity about the landmarks and sights along the way. This curiosity led him to read more about them, enriching his understanding through books.
 |
| Runner Tran Nguyen Lan Khue recalling how reading books ultimately guided her toward running |
There are many great books on running, such as Born to Run by Christopher McDougall, What I Talk About When I Talk About Running by Haruki Murakami, The Running Revolution by Nicholas Romanov, Eat and Run by Scott Jurek, Running with the Kenyans by Adharanand Finn, and The Lazy Runner’s Guide by Nguyen Huy Phat. During the discussion, both the speakers and attendees shared valuable insights from these books. They explored various themes, including the philosophy behind running, nutrition for better performance, techniques to improve running form and prevent injuries, or, the inspiration, and life lessons that running can offer.
Running is not just about physical training; it is also a journey of self-exploration. This idea was shared by Ms. Nguyen Thi Ngot, an Elite Runner, who spoke about how running has helped her push beyond her limits and overcome personal challenges. Additionally, reading books on running has played a crucial role in improving her performance, allowing her to conquer more demanding goals and take on greater challenges.
“The more I read, the more I run, the smaller I feel - and the more I want to share these lessons with others,” shared Mr. Huynh Anh Thuan, head of Hue Citadel Runners Club, during the discussion. Building on this idea, Mr. Bui Xuan Hoa talked about how running had inspired him to write essays and reflections on his running journeys. He also revealed his plan to publish a book about running. Supporting this initiative, Mr. Tran Gia Tien, a seasoned runner in Hue, suggested co-writing a book about Hue and running, intertwining the city’s rich history with personal running experiences.
Books and Running was the second discussion organized by the running community in Hue in collaboration with the Books and Running Club. Previously, in February 2025, the community hosted a special session titled Running with a Dynamic Hue.