Jennifer. J. Chow

Is Writing Really Like A Marathon?

We recently had the Los Angeles Marathon, and two of my family members (spoiler: not me) ran it! It’s been said that writing is like a marathon, but is it really? The quote is often attributed to Robert McKee, and as I combed through running pics, I reflected on this analogy. Here’s my takeaway:

SIMILARITIES

Mileage

26.2 miles. Friends, this is long. Runners trekked from Dodger Stadium to Century City (see map below). Writing a novel is long; 70K-100K words is no joke. It takes perseverance and fortitude.

Iconic sights

The race journey passed by different areas, each with a special delight. Examples: Chinatown offered lion dancing, and Hollywood had an Oscar statue. And they got to run past Olvera Street, Echo Lake Park, Rodeo Drive. Not that any of my family stopped to take selfies… I think in a story, there’s a sense of discovery that also unfolds as we write. Writing often takes us across new and exciting avenues. Hurrah!

Turnarounds

The L.A. Marathon used to go out to the beach, to Santa Monica. Now, it has a turnaround. Like, marathoners literally run past the finish line and have to circle back. (Those doing the half marathon can claim victory earlier.) I feel like editing also reroutes us. This happens whether you’re a plotter or a pantser—and those edits make a difference in polishing up stories.

CONTRASTS

Spectators
In a marathon, there’s a crowd cheering you on. Maybe it’s the spectators with their signs and cowbells. Or the people handing out snacks and food, like the chili dog folks at mile four. Some supporters even made invincibility star boxes (a la Mario Kart) to tap for extra encouragement. Writers? We get silence. There’s only the internal cheerleader—and supportive writer friends (thanks, Chicks!).

Recognition

L.A. marathoners get a HUGE medal at the end of their race. Sadly, writers do not. In fact, the work might not even be picked up and published. (Thankfully, there are more publishing options than ever now.)

Outfits

Runners mostly wore athletic gear, but a few were decked out in costumes. Some had onesies, while others opted for tutus. Meanwhile, writers…hmm, do PJs count as fun attire?

FINAL THOUGHTS  

Inspiration

In my humble opinion, the best part about running and writing is the chance to inspire others!

Finish Line

Finally, reaching the finish line is sweet success!!

What “marathon” moments have you had in your life?  

49 thoughts on “Is Writing Really Like A Marathon?”

  1. Great comparison ! I’d also include the painful parts, which you just have to slog through, whether you’re running a marathon or writing a book.

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    1. Thanks, Dru! Appreciate all your support!

      P.S. My dtr held a sign that read “I’m exercising vicariously through you.” I wonder how many readers think the same way, whether it’s writing/solving murders/baking vicariously…

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  3. This is so weird but I was just thinking *yesterday* about how two of my best friends like to run marathons, whereas I … do not. But I also started thinking about the discipline it takes to do that and how it was kind of like writing a book. I love this analogy. Can we have people cheer, hold up signs, and hand us water along the way?

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  4. Great comparison. It is definitely a marathon, with a course that changes. You finish your writing marathon, then start your promotion marathon right after you cross the writing finish line. I agree with Marla, we need people cheering, holding up signs, and handing us water, or huge cups of coffee!

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  5. love this, Jen! (I wonder why they don’t go to the ocean anymore? It’s so L.A.) The analogies are spot on.

    In terms of other comparison, I think finding an agent and getting published is (are?) also a marathon. Especially during the parts where you want to give up but keep going. The medal at the end is a contract or if you decide to self-pub, your finished product!

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  6. I did a half marathon 13 years ago. That was more than enough for this runner. For one thing, the training time takes away from running!

    Nice compare and contrasts. I would only add that praise from readers, though very delayed, could be like people cheering you on at the end of a marathon? Maybe?

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  7. I think writing is definitely like a marathon. But the promo? That’s like…an Ironman. It never seems to stop.

    There are gratifying moments, though. Like the friend I talked to Wednesday night. She reads all my books. “I don’t think I could ever write a book, so I find the fact you’ve written multiple ones amazing.”

    However, I would be totally on board with cheerleaders who have signs and snacks.

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    2. Oh, my gosh, Liz! Yes! Promo is like an Ironman. A triathlon. You’re very insightful. For example, the social media posts and author enewsletter is like the distance run. The guest blogs and author takeovers are like the swim. The in-person events like book fairs and book signings are the cycling. They’re all going to the same finish line, which is the sales/future contracts.

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  8. This is so true, Jen! And the primary similarity to my mind is the need for perseverance–the ability to follow through and not give up, even when it’s painful and exhausting.

    And yes, having cheerleaders encouraging us all on is SO helpful! Looking at you, Dru and Mark, as well as all our readers! 🙂

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    2. “…the need for perseverance…” Absolutely, Leslie! The same way we run through the pain of a distance run, we’ve got to write through the pain. Break through the blank page. Shake our characters out of their sometimes collective silent treatment. Just write. Even when March Madness is whispering to us…

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  9. Jen, love this marathon comparison! I used to run “guest” miles for friends’ 24-hour charity marathons (basically to allow them a rest). I remember one team was called Feet Don’t Fail Me Now. I don’t think I turned in very good times, but my friends said that was okay; they needed the extra rest, ha!

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  10. Great post, Jennifer. It got all my little gray cells working. Thank you. For me, running is 80 percent mental, 20 percent physical. While I’m running, if I allow myself to be distracted by tasks I have to complete today or things I still haven’t accomplished for the week, then I’m not going to have a good run. It’s the same with my writing. If I allow myself to be distracted by current events, social media, March Madness… whatever…I’m not going to have a productive writing day.

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  11. Great analogy, and your post has inspired me to keep things more on the fun side. The unexpected (like a marathon runner in a bear costume) spreads good and happy vibes and makes something difficult more palatable. I have written in my pajamas, but I do believe it’s time to deploy deliberate whimsy as I slog toward my finish line!

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