Running Isn’t Just My Muse—It Releases the Kraken
How a good run boosts my writing
When I left my driveway, I was still a little frustrated about the chapter I was working on. I knew it wasn’t coming out right. It felt awkward, a bit lame, verging on stupid. I couldn’t figure out how to keep going. I was stuck going round and round but writing nothing.
Fortunately, it was time for a run. I put it out of my mind and got my gear on. It was a warm morning, the air still and calm. Traffic was light this Monday morning.
I got one foot in front of the other, and began. It didn’t start out smoothly. My neck felt stiff. The first few minutes I was still frustrated and annoyed. But after 10 minutes, I was starting to hit my zone. My mind calmed down.
The sun was creating a cool light display through the clouds. I jogged on and my body slowly got into the rhythm. I was heading down a route I used frequently, so there weren’t too many surprises from the terrain. I let my mind wander. The subconscious got into solving my writing dilemma for me.
About 20 minutes from my front door, I knew how and what to write next on my rough draft. The approach that had me stuck for over an hour just moved out of the way, pounded into submission as my feet hit the ground.
I was listening to my favorite playlist of electronica and pop music. Songs seem to help me find good ideas. They’re floating in the ether, just waiting for me to jog through them and scoop them up. I don’t bother stopping to type.
I said, “Hey, Siri, make a note!” She heard me through the microphone on my wireless earbuds and turned the tunes down. I dictated the ideas that I knew would get me rolling again later. When I returned to the laptop, it was right there in my phone.
A killer creativity boost
When I go out that door with my running shoes on, I enter a different frame of mind. The possibilities of the universe open up. I can see new horizons. It loads my brain so full of ideas I can’t keep up.
At first, I didn’t know how to keep all of the thoughts that popped into my head while I ran. I had to stop and make notes or try to memorize them. I never considered dictation. Now that I use it, I can’t believe how much I’m getting out of each workout concerning creativity.
Yesterday, I went on an 8-mile run. I started thinking about articles I wanted to write, and one idea led to another, to another. By the time I was back in front of my house, I had 18 solid ideas. Even if I only use half of them, I still came up with 9 topics from one run. This is one of the 18.
It isn’t always the same, with new topics pouring on me. Other times I just see a different approach, like when I’m stuck on a chapter and just need to get unstuck. The run popped me free of the slant I was putting on it and let me come at it from a different angle. And still other runs I don’t have much to dictate, but afterward it seems almost effortless to edit for an hour or two. The running helps my mind cope with the drudgery.
Where’s the muse?
While I run I obsess over ideas and really dive deep. Things get fleshed out, considered, and added to. Twenty iterations of headlines pop up and drop out to be replaced by new ideas. Everything is shiny and fascinating, full of promise. My running mind is optimistic of how good things are, how easy it’ll be to write about.
Running is the biggest and easiest brainstorm I‘ve ever found. Nothing is off the table, all eventualities are available. Connections get made. I see under the water, past the tip, to the rest of the iceberg.
Lightning strikes multiple times in the same place, my head. Each flash is a shiny new idea. It’s a downpour, cats and dogs and idea drops. I get soaked. That’s why I want to bring a bucket and catch it all.
Siri is my running note buddy.
If I like something I see in the idea cloud, I need to grab it and give it to Siri before it’s lost. She’s running right beside me, and she can take notes on the go. Trouble is, she isn’t always that good at it. She always writes something, even if it’s just crayon scribbles. Good old Siri always puts in a solid effort.
It’s not a big deal, usually any of her dictation mistakes are easy enough to decipher. Every once in a while, she makes a note I can’t figure out. Too bad. Lost that one. Oh well, plenty more on the cutting room floor!
I have all the tools to use dictation. This still works without them, it just isn’t as convenient. Other running creatives try memorizing ideas for later use. Some stop to make notes at the midpoint of the run, and at the end.
What happens to my run quality?
When I first started taking notes on the go I was worried that it would affect my running. If anything, it makes them better. It depends on what kind of run I have planned. Ideas come hard and fast on slow runs through natural trails. The fewer buildings the better.
On hard run days, there aren’t as many ideas. My brain is focused on the task at hand, not lost in thought. That’s a good thing anyway, because when I’m really putting out it’s hard to dictate clearly to Siri. It takes air to enunciate clearly enough for her to understand me.
On slow run days, which is most of my runs, I have plenty of air and plenty of thoughts. Ideas are just lying around ready to be picked and packed up. I grab them on the way by and hand them to Siri.
Time goes fast when I think about my writing. It’s easy to get in running rhythm and maintain pace while I think. Before I know it, I’m halfway there, then almost to the end of the workout. It’s a win-win. Running goes well, and I’m loaded with writing ammunition.
Walking works too.
If you aren’t a runner, take a good stroll instead. Movement, exercise and seeing the environment does wonders for the mind. I always take a little notebook on walking jaunts. If something comes to me I write it down.
If you find yourself struggling to write, get out for a quick jog. Go for a walk. It will clear the brain fog and give you some physical activity at the same time. It’s been a game-changer for me. Maybe you’ll find it helpful too.
Do you find running makes you more creative? Let me know!