One of the first pieces of advice I remember being given way back in the mists of time (Spring 2023) when I first began running, was to run at conversational pace. I'm usually comfortable running, my breathing is easy, and my heart rate is fine (for me). But, apart from offering a regular "hello" to other runners or passing dog-walkers, I've never had occasion to have an actual conversation whilst running.
Today I did. Kind of.
Whilst doing real work the other day I had an idea for a scene and paused to write it into a notes file. It wasn't even in the story I'm actually 35,000 words into, but nevertheless I didn't want it to get away from me . . .
Out running today another scene from that story came to me and I started to play with it in my head, knowing I'd have lost the idea by the time I got home. But then I realised I didn't have to ...
So there I was, running whilst dictating a scene into my phone, still offering "hellos" to passing strangers, whilst simultaneously holding two sides of a tete-a-tete between a couple at a bar, and discussing the ins and outs of dialogue and motivation ... at perfectly comfortable conversational pace!
I can confirm the advice works: 5.88km. 44 minutes - and snappy dialogue!
Happy running, folks!
Written by
Gthants
60minGraduate
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It's amazing how running and physical activity can unleash your creativity! Somehow the physicality clears the brain. I'm full of admiration that you can run, think and dictate though, talk about multitasking.
A few years ago I decided to try and write a novel for NaNoWriMo (for those who don't know, the idea is that you commit to writing the first draft of a book in the month of November). This was before I started running but every day I'd go for a walk and think about what I'd write later on. Thanks to all the daytime planning it all flowed and I actually managed to finish the first draft by the end of the month. Still needs some work, probably won't ever be published but that's not really the point for me
Good luck with your running and writing, maybe you should rename 'conversational pace' as 'dialogue pace'?
The book I’ve self published through Amazon - that was part written one November! I wrote chunks of it in noisy cafes, but writing on the run is new to me!
This is great! Running is so good for creativity. There’s something about being out on the move that gets the ideas flowing. I’ve been drawing a bit and enjoying looking at light and shadows when I’ve been out-just walking ag the moment but I’m hoping the runs will be back soon. Lots of ideas for sketches!
MrU is writing a novel and we often chat about plot when we’re running. My role is critical friend pointing out all the plot holes.
Sounds like you had a super time! Good luck with the book!
Running and creativity for me, go hand in hand , or foot by foot... and it spills over into my writing and my painting.
My book, with all my running adventures, since I began, still waits to be published but the enjoyment of just writing, is the thing.
I have had a few things in print, but nothing of any length. My writing now is very much writing for children...granddaughter is a terrific bouncing board and critic...and I have a time for that....
The very act of being outdoors, with the amazing overload of stimuli, is priceless. Go you!
Why not self-publish? I did on Amazon. Almost no sales, but plenty of awesome reviews and I get a kick out of knowing that something I created is out there. I wrote for my children and the heroine is based on my youngest - though it's a weird, funny Douglas Adams-like thing!
Hmm...what a great idea! I owe family some catch-up emails and never seem to have the time, patience, or concentration!! I wonder if this could be a solution on my next recovery run!
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week3run1 ✅. 3 x 17 mins with 1 min walks. 
How did your parkrun or (not)parkrun go?
