That's that done, then. I completed my 100th consecutive run.
For those good at maths who are thinking, hang on, it's only day 99 of 2025, my RED January running challenge did indeed start on Jan 1, but my running streak started a day earlier, when I ran Nos Galan on New Year's Eve. I've logged 499.5 kms of running across these 100 days, but that's a slight underestimate as I forgot to start (or restart) my Garmin properly on a few of the runs, meaning I can be comfortable in saying the total is over 500km.
What's all this got to do with writing, anyway? Good question. Everything, in my view. In order to function properly as a writer, the mind-body machine has to be maintained. While there's a viable publishing model for SF, and I still have the motivation to write it, I want to be able to do so. If I'm lucky enough to be still be doing that in my seventies and eighties, so be it! Writing is inevitably a sedentary occupation so the more that can be done to offset the hours seated at the computer, the better. I don't find that I get any particularly brilliant creative breakthroughs during my running (I don't have enough spare mental capacity for that; walking's a bit different) but I do find that my ability to function holistically as a writer is generally better when I'm in a period of active exercise and general good health.
As to the streak itself, I'm now happily calling quits on it. I'll still be running, but not 7/7. Maybe 6/7 for now. I started to feel that the fitness benefits were not measurably improving after the first few weeks, and while I've certainly been sleeping well and feeling good, my running pace hasn't improved much over the last month. I've dodged any major injuries, avoided coughs and sniffles, but I'm sure a little recovery time will now be beneficial.
Tonight we're starting our four-night run of "Guys and Dolls". I didn't plan for my 100-day streak to conclude today, but it's not a bad stopping point as the time available between writing work and theatre stuff is now very squeezed. Yes, I am still writing! Thanks again for all who supported me and the "Mind over Mountains" charity through RED January.
Well done, sir! That's a hell of a lot of running.
ReplyDeleteMust be a very proud moment, AR. Nice going!
ReplyDeleteWell done on the running. Phil here from Super Relaxed Fantasy Club. We have met a couple of times, the last in April 2024 when you said you might be interested in being a guest again. I did drop a line to Gillian and Marcus, but have not had a response. if you get this and are interested you can reach me at phil.exon AT G m a i l . c o m Be well
ReplyDeleteI'd be interested in being a guest.
DeleteThanks, Phil, I'll be in touch shortly.
DeleteMarcus you can find @srfantasyclub on facebook, bluesky, insta and x for more details.
ReplyDeleteБег всё таки опасен для голеней и вообще для ног и спины. Лучше велосипеда и ходьбы нет ничего.
ReplyDeleteTranslating the above as it appears to be a genuine comment: "From my own experience - running wears out the joints and ligaments of the legs and also puts a strain on the back. There is nothing better than cycling and walking."
ReplyDeleteEveryone will have their own experience, of course. I can only speak for myself. I enjoy cycling and walking but I've been a frequent runner for 36 years and have not suffered any lasting ill effects to my joints or back. My knees are in better shape now than they were ten years ago, when I used to suffer some pain running downhill, or stopping/starting during a run, and needed knee supports when running. Now I don't use the supports and experience only the occasional twinge in my knees from time to time, usually only at the start of a run. I'm mercifully free of back pain despite my sedentary occupation, although I think years of horse riding helped me with good postural habits. The biggest factor in eliminating injury in my running is paying close attention to shoe wear and making sure I wear the right shaped insoles to provide arch support.
Anyway, purely my own experiences.
Congratulations on your run streak, AR!
ReplyDeleteTwo weeks ago I was fortunate to get to see the physicist Brian Greene deliver a talk at the Kennedy Center, where he outlined the birth and death of the universe, from the Big Bang to entropic heat death.
He also spoke about all galaxies except our local cluster disappearing over the cosmic horizon (which I was aware of) and a point trillions of years in the future when conscious thought will no longer be possible due to the inexorable effect of entropy, which I was not aware of.
Anyway, that reminded me of "For the Ages," one of your short stories in Belladonna Nights, so I went back and re-read it, and I have a question: Is the momentum-exchange drive a thing, as in something that's been discussed among astrophysicists or described in a paper? I understand the concept of momentum exchange tethers, but I don't understand how momentum exchange can be used for relativistic space travel, or how the exchange itself can be delayed by an engine.
Congratulations. Respect!
ReplyDelete