Write Like a Runner

As I sit at my computer on a rare rainy afternoon in Arizona, which happens to be Martin Luther King Day andthe first holiday since New Year’s, Ireflect on the tradition of setting,and breaking, New Year’s Resolutions. If you’re like me, you’ve probably already set down acouple thathave already beenbroken, orwritten ones you’ve failed to achieve.

And if you’re a writer like me, you may have started the year with thelofty goalof sitting downEVERY DAY, determined to get that book written–NOW. You may have set X number of hours you will daily commit to this project, or how many pages you will produce. But lo and behold, life once again rears its ugly head andgetin the way of your schedule. You may become discouraged, feel deflated–another year of a literary dream that will never materialize.

Yesterday I competed in a half marathon–or should I say slowly jogged. I bring this up not to pontificate about my athletic achievements, but to talk about my theory that if you write like a runner, as if you were training for a race, you will be successful. You willachieve your literary dreams.

Why? Because world class marathon runners, like Susan Loken, which I’ve had the privilege of training with, have perfected the art of breaking a task, or dream, into small,realistic segments, and formulating a plan ofachieving them. Youcan’t suddenly decideone day to jump into a marathon, or even a half. Unless you’re a 20 something who ran track in high school. There’s a step-by-step regiment one must follow in order tocomplete the race.

Writing is the same process. You don’t set down goals that are not realistally attainable. You will only be discouraged. Start withsmall, steady steps that work with your life. Take it at your pace, like a runner, and success will follow.

Two years ago when I committed to running in the P.F. Chang’s Rock ‘n’ Roll (Half) Marathon. I only did soto raise money for a children’s charity. I told Susan Loken that I would do it, but I would NOT run the entire 13.1 miles. I had back, knee and motivational issues. Two Rock ‘n’ Rolls later, I can proudly say that by followingrealistic goals I knew would work for me, I ran the entire way, never thinking of walking and not even slowing as I chuggedH2O at the water stations.

So don’t beat yourself up if you haven’t yet achieved greatness. We all have it within ourselves. Just write like a runner, and success will follow.