Why Write, Why Run?

Haruki Murakami wrote a book on the subject of the connection between writing and running, titled, What I Talk About when I Talk About Running. Though I considered the book relatively un-engaging (certainly compared with his magically quirky novels), I thought that the premise was provocative. Murikami started running for a practical reason: to stay in shape. Sitting still at a desk for so many hours while writing needed to be supplemented with physical activity, and running, which can be done anywhere at anytime, was the obvious choice for Murikami. He continues to run everyday and has run many marathons. For Murikami, running is a way to clear the mind and release all the energy and tension accumulated during the long hours writing. Running is a process of letting go, though he admits it is not always enjoyable. Running is very often a painful experience, from the minute you lace your shoes up to the moment you finally take them off; sometimes your body just doesn't want to work. Murikami feels that working through the pain during running is good training for writing, as so much of the writing process is painful and requires extreme self-discipline.

The pain aspect of the running-writing relationship is familiar, I'm sure, to anyone who runs or writes. So what keeps us going? What is it that drives us through the pain? Why put your body or mind through such exhaustive and unpleasant measures? On those days when you don't want to run, or don't want to write, what is it that forces you to do so? I would love to hear feedback or future posts on this topic...