Writing Through Running

I started a running program this week. Now, let me say that I am not a runner and I buck the concept every (literally; pun intended) step of the way. It's not that I hate exercise, heck I'm a gymnastics coach! I enjoy physical exertion and who doesn't love the end result of regular workouts? Slimmer, more fit, increased stamina. I'll take that any day of the week. But running... eh, it's so hard! And getting started is the worst part. Waking your muscles and joints up enough to bear the added burden of running's impact on your body. Getting your mind set geared up so that you complete your exercise even through the pain, because when you first start running, even if your fairly fit - it's painful.

So why do it? Well, for me life as a writer encompasses a certain amount of sitting down. I also began taking college courses again last week, and even though I walk a good deal while on campus, studying and writing assignments always require staying planted in a seated position for hours at a time. I began to realize that were it not for coaching, I would be getting zero exercise a day. Not acceptable. But now with my increased workload I have less time to exercise, and that is where running arose as the obvious solution. I can do it indoors on my treadmill or get out for fresh air, and it is a sure fire way to a quick cardio response.

There you have it, my running reasoning, if you will. It has gone as I expected. Tough in the beginning of a run and tougher toward the end. I've started slow, incorporating only one mile runs this week and working toward one and a half mile runs next week. I'll keep that pace until I've worked up to three to four mile runs.

In planning this running schedule, it dawned on me how similar the process it to writing. Writing is hard. It is sometimes painful. You have to gear your mind up to continue writing even through the tough spots. Especially if you're new to writing or beginning a new writing regimen, because getting started is the hardest part. Well, that and editing, but I'll save the editing topic for another time.

Since I love writing and am not so keen on running, I visualize the writing process while I run. Getting that first page down, I liken to the first ten minutes of my run. As the exertion of the run increases I picture writing quickly as when thoughts are flowing easily and ideas abundant. When winding down through the final phase of running I imagine concluding a page or chapter. Wrapping it all up in a tidy package with just the perfect page turner thrown in at the end to whet the appetite for the next run, er ah... page.

Writing has made running bearable, and running has caused me to break my writing process down into clearly defined paths, giving me a solid foundation when I sit down at my desk to get started. I have never visualized my writing in such a way before. Sure I've always had a clear picture of my characters, my plot and the world in which they dwell. But I have never sat back and thought about myself doing the writing.

It's been an eye-opener to find that such visualization prior to actually sitting down to write such an effective technique. Were I to quit running, I would continue this new found method of focusing and organizing my creative process. Perhaps while doing the dishes, or laundry - why not? Could work. But for now I'll keep running. For all the pain there is something oddly peaceful about it. The thud of your feet, the hollow swoosh of your breath and the secure knowledge that you've burned off the half-pound bag of Twizzlers you inhaled while writing the night before.

Did I admit that out loud? Humph. Better go for a run.