Despite the lack of updates about it, I am still at this running thing. Three times a week, with my running group and sometimes on my own when I miss their running times. I’m not sure which I prefer right now. I’m naturally a hermit and have cycled many long trips on my own, so I’m used to doing the exercise thing solo. Will return with a verdict on that in the coming weeks.
But I do know one thing: running definitely does help with writing. Like chopping wood and doing the dishes, running has that repetitive element to it that lets you get into ‘the zone’ (ugh) or as gamers (among others) like to call it: flow.
Last night, I was out running with the group running 1 and 1s (one minute running, one minute walking) and as the others were chatting, I slipped into the flow. My mind then inevitably turned to my writing and the chapter of my current work in progress that I wrote earlier that day. The writing was good but not great, a fine accomplishment for a first draft, which usually suck horrendously. With every step of my run, I went over the chapter and saw where I could beef it up, lose some stuff and really make the action come alive. It was great and I hope the others in my group didn’t think I was odd for not joining in on their banter, but in a way I was still at work.
I didn’t set out on my run to work through the day’s writing. It just sort of happened and I finished the run not only feeling physically revved up, but also mentally charged and ready to take on the next chapter in the story.
My only regret (and I’ll probably regret even writing this) was that the run wasn’t longer. I had barely begun to get into my story in my head when suddenly we were finished and I was walking home, out of the flow and back into the noisy, bustling street of my neighbourhood.
So, score one for the writing/running duality. But we’ll see if I’m still wishing for longer runs in the coming weeks, when we hit the dreaded 4 and 1’s!
The Dreaded Four and Ones! Sounds scary indeed.
I’m glad the running is working out for you Liam. I would love to do something like that (was a runner about a hundred years ago), but, you know, it’s cold outside, and dark at the time I could run, and I don’t have time otherwise, and I have to watch my fish sleep, and I don’t have proper shoes, and my running clothes don’t fit, and…
Yeah, I’m kidding. I don’t have a fish.
I’m with you on the excuses, Anita. I’m probably the most reluctant runner around. I know I should do it and I want to do it (kinda) but it just seems like so much work – and it’s only going to get harder as the distances increase. But, it just seems like such a *good* thing to do for myself on many fronts that I’d be a fool to not get started while I still can. This sitting in front of the computer all day stuff cannot be good for my heart and withering muscles, so it’s something at least.
Right indeed I get many musical ideas on a healthy constitutional walk home!
Breaking from the Delusion of public city transport I upgraded to Shank’s Mare – encouraged further by Memories of flying past traffic in Dublin, I have rediscovered the wheel.
Its cycle-boy once again for me, to work and back. I’m surprised you gave up a regular cycle Liam.
Yes Jonny, a constitutional in all its forms is always good for any creative process. I gave up the cycling because my commute to work went from a 30 minute bike ride to a 15 second walk across the apartment. Great for the mental health, but not so much for the physical. Without the need to “go somewhere” I stopped hopping on the bike and to cycle a loop of any significance would mean logging many miles around town (which is very dangerous given the current traffic situation here in Toronto). Running is different because the loops are much shorter. A wee jaunt around the block is enough for me right now, but the distances and the times are getting longer – I just upgraded to 3 & 1s – woohoo!