I’m so proud to host of this series of essays and bring you a different insight into the writing life every week. Each essay is truly inspiring and thoughtful and really bolsters my spirits. They’re all too special, really, not to be published more widely or in print, and today’s essay by Rebecca Freeman is no exception.
Rebecca’s post is a treasured insight into writing when you’re a mother, and also into the meditative practice of running. Once again I was reminded of all the reasons we write.
‘But I need to hold onto me, that thread of me which tugs at the story-loving long distance runner from my girlhood.’
Rebecca Freeman grew up in rural Western Australia and went to boarding school in Perth. She’s worked as a waitress, English tutor, cleaner, checkout chick, and teacher, and now she’s an editor, writer, and PhD student. Rebecca has published short stories and articles and is always working on some kind of writing project—it’s just the finishing which can be a bit of a challenge! She lives in Albany, Western Australia with her Handsome Sidekick, their four children and many pets.
You can follow Rebecca on Twitter and find more of her writing on her blog.
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Running Writing
It should come as no surprise that I—a bookish and rather nerdy child—was never particularly good at sports. I grew up in the 80s, when physical education consisted of the teacher deciding what we would play, and then casually leaving it up to the two sportiest children in the class to choose their teams. Needless to say, I was always, always one of the last to be picked. It’s not that I was so unpopular, but pragmatism dictated that I’d ruin their chances if they had me on their side. I was slow and kind of clumsy.
I was far better suited to making up stories—anything to do with words was fun. Spelling, daily diaries, silent reading, creative writing … It was all fantastic, and it meant I didn’t have to worry about being picked last. Who needed sport?
And then I discovered long distance running.
I was small for my age and I never won. But somehow, just finishing the race made the whole thing worthwhile. At last it didn’t matter if I came last! It really was a case of joining in to have fun. Running became my friend through high school, an overseas youth exchange, uni and my early working life. And all that time I kept writing, too. Letters, journals, poems, songs, short stories, dissertations. I wrote and I ran, and then I had children and I was too tired to do much of either. I gave birth to four babies in five-and-a-half years, and just managing to keep everyone clean and fed was the most I could demand of myself, and even that was a chore.
‘The writing came back to me, reminding me of my previous self, my pre-baby self, and oh, how I needed reminding!’
But I yearned to write again, and slowly, I began to get back into it, chronicling the day-to-day routine, breastfeeding babies with one hand while I wrote with the other. The writing came back to me, reminding me of my previous self, my pre-baby self, and oh, how I needed reminding! But the running? I wasn’t ready for that just yet. Not until I was getting regular sleep and that took years.
I don’t know that my writing suffered through my lack of exercise, but I do believe it improved once I was able to start it again. Not only did I get fitter, I also had time to think. I wrote in my head, imagined characters, scenarios. I can’t say that everything I thought about made it onto the page, but that didn’t matter. By being out on my own, I was free for a while.
Now, running continues to be my escape. When I leave the house to go for a run, I give myself permission to leave everyone behind. There is barely any other time in my week when I am completely alone, apart from when I run. Quite possibly, it’s the running I do every couple of days which keeps me from actually running away. I can mull over problems, or I can daydream. Whatever I choose to do with my mind while my feet thud rhythmically on the ground beneath me, the whole experience does me good.
‘Even though the act of writing must necessarily be one of solitude, the reading of it extends my hands into the world.’
But while I run to get away, the writing is what connects me. I’ve been lucky enough to have had encouragement from all corners when it comes to writing—from my family, my teachers, my friends. I’ve made up bedtime stories for my children and had them ask about the characters months later. Now and then, I attend a writers’ group, an oasis of other wordy nerds, and listening to their work and sharing mine is both enriching and exhilarating. Even though the act of writing must necessarily be one of solitude, the reading of it extends my hands into the world. Here I am! Talk to me, read with me, write with me. It is my way of making sense of the world, but also a way to be a part of it.
It’s taken time to get to where I’m comfortable calling myself a runner, and a writer. Long distance running literally is a marathon, not a sprint! And it’s the same with writing. It’s one foot, one word in front of the other, even when I’m tired and this hill seems never-ending. But the downhills, and the exhilaration of finishing … On those days, it seems too easy, as if the ability and time to run and write are some kind of gift. Which of course, they are. To do either, I need space and to feel safe, and to have someone—a teacher, a daycare worker, a Handsome Sidekick—to look after the children. None of these are something which should be taken for granted, although like everyone, I do.
Obviously, it’s not always easy to run or write in between work, study, family and all the other ‘shoulds’ and ‘wants’. But I need to hold onto me, that thread of me which tugs at the story-loving long distance runner from my girlhood, that long-ago me, before she even thought about adult- and parenthood. So it’s for her, and for my future me, that I still lace up my shoes, sharpen my pencil and make with the stories.
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For any writer who would like to contribute to Writers in the Attic, consider this an invitation! The topic is fairly broad—anything to do with writing, your writing life or what writing means to you. 600-1000 words seems to be a good length.
I know the quality of the essays can look a little daunting, but please don’t let that deter you. I enjoy reading every essay I receive, so don’t be frightened to take the plunge!
I acknowledge the time and effort involved in writing these pieces by sending a small gift as a thank you.
If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact me here.
Oh my goodness – four kids, work & study, long-distance running, and writing! Rebecca you’re amazing! And although you must have to manage your time really carefully, it sounds like all those things actually inform and enrich each other.
Thanks for sharing your inspiration and determination.
Thank you Louise for this post! xx
It’s my absolute pleasure to bring these posts each week, Fi! Rebecca is amazing, isn’t she?! And this essay is just beautiful. 🙂
Such a lovely post. My goodness I wish I’d taken up running, too, but walking will have to do for me. Though for you, Rebecca, and your four children and your writing and your PhD and your handsome sidekick, all in the beauty of Albany WA, sounds like quite the life. Wow.
I’ve often thought about taking up running, too, Lis … and that’s as far as it’s got! A brisk walk with the dogs has to do for me, too. Thanks for reading. x
Beautiful post, Rebecca.:)
I agree! Thanks, Marlish. 🙂
Running writing to compost your rich life and sieve pieces for your stories. Thank you for sharing Rebecca Freeman. Same surname as Cathy, same inspiring gifts and wisdom. Thank you for sharing with us.
I didn’t notice Rebecca had the same surname as Cathy—wonder if she’s as fast? (Cathy, I mean! 😉 )
Rebecca’s post is inspiring and wise! Thank you for visiting and reading. 🙂
Oh, I just LOVE this post! Thank you so much, Rebecca, for sharing your writing and running story, and thank you, Louise, for continuing to provide this forum through which these stories can be shared. I, too, am a runner and writer, but I’ve been off the road more often than on it for close to a year now, after sustaining an injury in July last year. I miss regular runs so much, and this has made me determined to get back out there again. It has also reminded me that I must take the same approach to my writing as I do when I’m training for a long run — step by step, day by day, a little at a time, until it all comes together. All the very best with your writing, and your running, Rebecca.
I’m trying to ease my way back into my writing again at the moment, after so long editing! It’s a step-by-step process, a little more each day.
Writing is like a marathon, especially writing a novel. Not that I’ve run a marathon, so I really wouldn’t know, but the two certainly require stamina, self-discipline, an ability to push past the pain barrier. Lots of grit and determination in other words. Best wishes getting back to your running and writing. 🙂
For me, running is the best way to ruin a good walk! But hats off to you Rebecca, and I loved your story.
Very best wishes from me!
Oh, Lily, I love your comment! I want to run, and I feel I should, to get my heart rate up, etc. I’ve been thinking about it for, oh, about 15 years now, since the last time I ran. One day … or maybe not! I’ll stick with walking, too.
I love Rebecca’s catchy title – Running Writing. It captures the essence of her post beautifully. I also like how she has compared writing to running a marathon – I can definitely relate to that! Best of luck with your writing and running, Rebecca!
I relate to the marathon analogy, too—not that I’ve run a marathon, but my husband has and I’ve seen the discipline required and the time it takes, as well as the toll on the body—similar to writing a novel!
I’m glad you enjoyed this post! x
‘Quite possibly, it’s the running I do every couple of days which keeps me from actually running away.’ — That’s how I feel about my daily walks with the dog!
Lovely post Rebecca, I love the correlation between writing and running. Both require dedication, patience, and have good and bad days. So true.
Good luck with both (and everything else you’re doing!)
It’s kind of taboo to mention wanting to escape the responsibilities of motherhood and run away from the busyness and general chaos of a family. But the truth is, we all need some time for ourselves, including mothers. I’m a much happier mum now I’ve got time for myself and something I enjoy doing.
And thank you for highlighting more parallels between writing and running. 🙂
I love this post Rebecca! Your positivity shines through 🙂 I can see how running and writing are so very important to you and your sense of self. Motherhood can strip that away if we let it! Good on you for putting yourself first when you need to. Keep on running and writing!
Thanks for visiting again, Lauren! You’re so right—motherhood can totally strip us of our former selves. I totally gave myself over to it in the early days and felt guilty for feeling annoyed and frustrated by it. We do need to keep doing these things we once loved doing, to remind us of who we were and still are.
Thanks for your insights. x
What a lot of lovely comments! Thanks so much everyone! And a big thank you to Louise for this chance to write about my passions! As I was saying to you via email, I’ve broken my foot and won’t be running for a long time, but hopefully I can keep on with the writing in all this ‘free time’ I’ve got while I have my family waiting on me hand and foot 🙂
My thanks to you, Rebecca, for writing such a lovely essay! I really hope your foot heals quickly and you can get back to running. I’m glad you can see a silver lining in the extra ‘free time’ for writing—still, I bet you could have done without it! You’ll have to take up marathon swimming instead! 😉