aprilhenry: Running and writing

aprilhenry (

aprilhenry) wrote,
@ 2008-05-01 07:14:00

Running and writing
I’ve been running for a long, long time, and I’ll probably continue as long as my knees hold out.

I finished my first novel in 1992, got my first contract in 1997, and held my first published book in 1999. So I’ve been doing that for a long time, too.

Running and writing have a lot in common:
- Some days you’re just glad you finished your stint.
- Some days you fly along.
- Fads come and go (running with weights, pink covers on books), but the underlying stuff stays the same.
- You can have a bad day followed by a really great day. But just putting in the time guarantees you’ll get at least a little better.
- You can always learn more about how to do it. You can always improve your technique.

Can you think of any more?

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	amymcauley 2008-05-01 02:32 pm UTC (link)
	Sometimes I can't do either without listening to my mp3 player! (Reply to this)(Thread)

	aprilhenry 2008-05-01 03:23 pm UTC (link)
	I had the BEST run yesterday, courtesy of the new Gnarls Barkley CD on my Shuffle. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	amymcauley 2008-05-01 03:31 pm UTC (link)
	I love coming across a song that makes a run easier, especially if it comes on when I'm feeling like I might be about to croak. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

dorihbutler
2008-05-01 05:27 pm UTC (link)

So what are some of those songs for you? I've got Trans-Siberian Orchestra's BEETHOVEN (of all things!) strategically placed in my running playlist...it's at that spot where I'm ready to quit, but I hear that come on and I'm ready to go again. It's got just the right beat. And since it's not instrumental I don't have to worry about breaking out into song while I'm running and frightening anyone else who might be on the path with me at that time.

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	aprilhenry 2008-05-01 05:36 pm UTC (link)
	I like Richard Thompson, Gnarls Barkley, Elvis Costello, the soundtrack from Once, the Fratellis, Franz Ferdinand, Tori Amos - all kinds of folks. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	amymcauley 2008-05-01 05:38 pm UTC (link)
	OMG, the soundtrack from ONCE. I can't believe I haven't bought that yet. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	aprilhenry 2008-05-01 05:48 pm UTC (link)
	It is definitely worth it. We saw them live in November, when we were really struggling with some difficult family issues. We almost didn't go. It turned out to be one of the best live music sessions I've ever seen. (Reply to this)(Parent)

amymcauley
2008-05-01 05:44 pm UTC (link)

I lean toward heavy rock--Nine Inch Nails, Foo Fighters, and Three Days Grace, stuff like that. Everlong, by the Foo Fighters has an underlying beat that perfectly matches my jogging speed. But strangely, some of the songs that make me kick it up a notch are by bands I wouldn't normally listen to, like Nickleback.

I think it would be hilarious to break out into song while running outside!

(Reply to this)(Parent)

	aprilhenry 2008-05-01 03:23 pm UTC (link)
	PS It always freaks me out a bit to see your name - it's very similar to one of my editors. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	amymcauley 2008-05-01 03:32 pm UTC (link)
	Eeeek! That would give my heart a little jolt, too. (Reply to this)(Parent)

	missrodeo 2008-05-01 03:14 pm UTC (link)
	I think about the similarities all the time. A big one for me--it's easier not to think about the end goal, just put one foot in front of the other (or one word after another.) Also I procrastinate about both--but once I'm doing it I feel great. (Reply to this)(Thread)

	aprilhenry 2008-05-01 03:20 pm UTC (link)
	Yes, it's better to just get up and do it first thing! (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	dorihbutler 2008-05-01 05:28 pm UTC (link)
	Yup...even before breakfast! (I've been alternating...bike ride one day, jog the next. I find I need a little breakfast before the bike ride, but don't want any before the jog.) (Reply to this)(Parent)

	ijournaler 2008-05-01 04:11 pm UTC (link)
	I usually have a look at Emma Darwin's blog - she recently mentioned exercise - in this case walking, rather than running. (Reply to this)(Thread)

	aprilhenry 2008-05-01 04:54 pm UTC (link)
	That's a good post. Running does help writing - but writing doesn't help running. Esp. if I snack compulsively while writing. (Reply to this)(Parent)

	lisa_schroeder 2008-05-01 04:29 pm UTC (link)
	Getting started is often the hardest part. Just getting up (or opening the document) and DOING it. Once you are into it, you're glad. :) (Reply to this)(Thread)

	aprilhenry 2008-05-01 04:48 pm UTC (link)
	And even if you have a crappy run/writing session, still it feels good to finish it. To know that you did it. (Reply to this)(Parent)

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