Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Practice VS. Real life


I am a runner. Not like some people are runners, but more than I used to be. I train 2-4 times a week and try to run a local 5-8k at least once a month. In the winter that’s hard, though. I live near Buffalo, NY, so I hope that paints enough of a picture.

So I switched to a treadmill for the winter. I thought it was enough, but when the sun broke through the clouds and the pavement began to show through the snow, I moved back outside. I couldn’t believe how different it was. It was like I’d taken the whole winter off.

The same feels true of my writing. Until May, it was like I was practicing. I let people read my work and got it critiqued, and beta “ed”, and my editor had his arms and legs and feet in there, but nothing prepared me for getting it reviewed. The practice was over. This was real.

With wobbly legs and arms shielding my face, I released my baby into the world and hoped and prayed people would take good care of it, and so far they have. I’ve gotten the expected critiques on my grammar. I knew this was coming; I tend to sacrifice the English language for voice. Other than that, I couldn’t be happier.

Practice is good; but if all you do is practice, you never get to see the sun.

19 comments:

  1. I have never been a runner, but always sort of wish I was. I even have dreams where I'm running and it's awesome, but yeah, I'm more of a biker. Glad you can run outside again. And it's good to hear you are getting positive reviews. Very scary to let that baby out into the world, but you are rocking it!

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  2. It must be difficult to release to "the critics" something you have worked so hard on and put so much passion into! I am glad you are happy. And if you had a reason for sacrificing the language, then those reviews aren't really "bad" either - they are just uninformed. Happy for you!

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  3. Oh My aching stars, monthly marathons? I admire your endurance and drive! I have always loved running and used to do 3 miles a week before fracturing my back. Then it was walking 2 miles a day, per doc's orders. After knee surgery etc, I'm working my way back up to 1/2 miles. Yah, call me tortoise.

    Congratulations on getting your book finished and into the world.Enjoy the sunshine!

    Sia McKye OVER COFFEE

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    1. Oh Sia, you give me way too much credit! I only do 5-8Ks> A monthly, or any, marathon is way, way beyond my skill level.

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  4. So true! I trained for and then ran a half marathon last year. I injured my foot right before the race and then proceeded to run on said injured foot for 21K - not the brightest idea. 3 months of physio therapy, x-rays, and a bone scan later and I was finally able to get back out there. I trained for 6 months and my furthest distance was 17k. I got out on the track at our gym, ran 1k, and almost started crying when I realised I was right back where I started from prior to training.

    As for my writing, I have yet to be brave enough to send it out into the world. I wish you well in running and writing!

    B from http://brandysbustlings.blogspot.ca/

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  5. This is so true! I have a hard time letting anyone see my writing; I'm good at the practice but have trouble taking the next step. Thanks for the motivation.

    I live in western NY, too! :)

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  6. But you sent it out into the world. YaY for you!!

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  7. Glad the feedback has been positive so far. There will be a negative eventually, but just let it roll off of you.
    And running on a treadmill is nothing like running outside.

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  8. You sound like a disciplined runner.
    Congrats on the good feedback... sounds like a positive start.
    It must be quite scary, wondering what readers think about your story...

    Writer In Transit

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  9. So true Melanie. But it does tie you perspective, doesn't it?

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  10. Oh, so true! Practice just isn't the same.

    I've slacked on working out for various reasons, and it's so hard to get that mojo back.

    Shannon at The Warrior Muse

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  11. You can train forever, but eventually you have to run the race.

    Congrats on the positive feedback.

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  12. I'm with you! Have eyes on MY work makes my insides crawl. Getting judged is the worst. But I guess we all have to let go eventually, right?
    Check out my Liebster post I posted yesterday. I left you something!

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  13. Great analogy. I hate to run. I only do it if someone is chasing me, LOL. Seriously, I give all runners mad credit. Wish I liked it. I need to find something to help get me back in shape. I also need some help getting my writing life back in shape, after the A-Z. Any suggestions for a wimpy, non-runner?

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  14. Interesting analogy. I've often wondered about the treadmill. Though I walk, I don't run.
    Road Trip from A-Z

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  15. LOL. I'm a runner too though much slower than in my younger years. I hate the cold though I'm a state further south than you and I do the treadmill in the winter. It's just not like outside running up hill and down.

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  16. Great connecting the treadmill with writing.

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  17. I'm always practicing towards the sun. It's why I squint so often!

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  18. Love the analogy! So true! And of course I have to agree completely about the differences between running outside verses the treadmill.

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