When I set down my pen, I pull on my trainers. But I’d struggle to tell you whether I’m a writer who runs or a runner who writes. The two sides of my character complement each other.
Here are four reasons why I pound pavements
- It puts me in touch with my body: Modern work is an out-of-body experience. On a typical day, I’ll move my eyes and hands a lot. But that’s about it. When 18:00 comes around, I’m craving movement!
- It puts me in touch with my city: Feeling my body. Feeling the grit and the grass and the leaves underfoot. Seeing people, tired from the bus or joking with their mates. These regular experiences become scenes I can later describe in my writing.
- It lets my mind drift into ideas: This is the big reason. When you run, you get tired. When you get tired, your thoughts slip and disintegrate. Your mind clears, so brand new ideas can make their way to the surface.
- It reminds me to be fully alive: Japanese novelist Murakami said it best.
“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 — and for me, for writing as well.”
Keep moving!
