Chapter Eight: 18 Till I Die Summary and Analysis

August 26, 2006 - In a Seaside Town in Kanagawa Prefecture

Haruki is training for the triathlon and is focusing on cycling. His muscles are stiff from this training. He feels he must focus on cycling because running and swimming are more natural pursuits for him. The cycling is frightening in that his practice runs are in congested streets and heavy traffic with drivers who are largely unconcerned with the safety of pedestrians and cyclists. He's not especially nimble, and being so is necessary in order to weave in and out of the traffic. But he has a light weight titanium sports bike which makes maneuvering easier. Despite conditions, he grabs his water bottle and dons his biking helmet and mounts his bike. Bicycle training is a difficult and lonely experience. The weather, especially the...