Saturday, January 03, 2009

Running and Creativity

Well, I posted on Facebook that I was headed out for and run, and run I did. I was going to the gym 4 or 5 times a week as recently as November, but I took December off for some reason. It shows. There are 3 hills on my standard 3 mile route. Before I left for Iraq (when I weighed over 180 pounds), I used to walk up two or all three. When I got back, I sailed through the course at a full run without ever thinking about walking. I even remember thinking, "I can't believe I ever found this hard!"

Well, I'm back to walking a bit. It's a little demoralizing, but I figure it's okay to be a little demoralized as long as you are out running. If I look at it correctly, this can be a motivator to get back to where I was in April.

I think a lot when I'm running. I've gotten crazy good ideas. I've written whole songs. I came up with the perfect commercial for Nike. Dad and I used to discuss our "Million Dollar Ideas" every Sunday. Mine usually came to me while running. For over a year I spent every jog thinking about how to build a perpetual motion machine.

I think it's the fact that a little pain without distactions tends to clear my head. For me, if there is a little stress in my life, I'm always more creative.

When are you creative?

6 comments:

The Sister said...

I'm a big singer during my runs. In my head of course. I sing or listen to music and think of really nothing else. However, when I am just about to fall asleep or in the shower in the morning I have the BEST ideas. I am not a creative person and never have been, but I am sure I've sloved a number of problems either right before I fall asleep or when I am in the shower.

MHG said...

I'm definitely most creative in the bathroom. Whether it be on the porcelain throne or in the shower. Runners-up would be when I'm awake late at night, and when I go on hikes.

Unknown said...

I'm creative:

a. in a bath
b. after a run
c. driving

I seem to get most of my ideas for the book during those three spots.

:-)

IT

BamBam said...

My creative-genius strikes four to five times a week. Right in the middle of the night.

Unfortunatly I know I'll never get rich off of any of these giant brain waves, as my genius-genius is just too stubborn to put the pen and paper on the nightstand!

:)

SirFWALGMan said...

Shower for sure. Sorry for ruining your day with THAT image.

911siren said...

I am most creative at 1 am when I can't sleep.