5 Ways Running Fuels the Creative

I’ve been running for almost as long as I’ve been a creative professional and I can’t help but notice ways that running fuels the creative side of me. Here are a five ways I think running is good for the creative spirit.

Have a finish line.

I don’t like running on the treadmill or running laps. It’s too easy to quit early. That’s why I like to run out and back or in a big loop. Once you’re miles from the finish line, there is only one way to get back, and there is no copping out.

I find the creative process parallels that desire to bail before the finish line. I get tired of tweaking, changing, refining, etc. To avoid that “good enough” mindset, I set myself clear goals – as clear as I can make them. It gives me something to aim for. Goals keeps me accountable.

It’s not always pleasant, but push through.

When you put that running gear on and head out the door you’re making an agreement with yourself. You’re acknowledging there is a good chance this could suck, and you’re OK with that possibility. When I set out to run I know I’m going to have a bit of knee pain, maybe some blisters, it might be bloody hot outside, and the list goes on.

In the same way, when I sit down to create something new, I’m making the same sort of agreement with myself; this process may be ugly, painful, and down right taxing.

Developing the discipline to PUSH THROUGH the unpleasantries is vital to both running and the creative process.

Feel something different.

I run in Vibram Five Fingers for several reasons, but one of them is because I love the feeling of earth beneath my feet. Feeling something different or out of the ordinary engages me as a runner. I often take notice of what is “different” from my everyday routine while I’m out running. I notice the slight pain in my knee, my elevated heart rate, the heat of the sun, or the bitter cold chill of winter. I notice the sights, sounds, and smells that are different than spending most of my days indoors – behind a computer. I try and take note of these differences, and I let them drawl out thoughts or emotions that might otherwise be trapped by they everyday routine of life.

Engaging the different or new has a direct impact on my creative process. The “different” brings new aspects or elements into the process that might not otherwise have been there.

Discipline the mind.

I swear, running is 90% mind games. Sure, it takes a bit of effort to get your body to comply with what you’re asking of it, but that’s such a small part of the process. It’s a mind game convincing yourself that today is a good day to run, that it’s going to be worth the effort, that you really can do this. Shutting up all the little voices that tell you otherwise is THE name of the game.

I’ve been a full-time creative for almost 15 years, and I still have to fight off those little voices that tell me I can’t bring something new and innovative to the table. The discipline of controlling those thoughts and looking for solutions is vital.

Finding reasons to keep on task, pressing forward, and finishing is a powerful way to combat all the reasons not to.

Consistency matters

While in Tampa I joined a running group that started their daily miles at 4:30am. During one of our morning jogs one of my fellow runners asked me what the difference is between taking 3 weeks off of running and 3 months. His answer: not a damn thing.

Consistency counts in running, just like it counts in the creative process. Sure, runners need time for recovery and creatives need time to decompress, but checking out of either disciplines for months at a time can really throw your rhythm off.

When I need time to recover after a race or injury I find other ways to keep my cardio up and my body active (swimming, cycling, weight training). When I need time to decompress from the design process I’ll often take on a project in the wood shop or throw my creative energy behind the lens of a camera.

Diversifying ways of staying creative can help avoid burning out.

Related posts:

1. 5 ways running makes me a better designer