I met a couple of friends last night for a run in the park. The pace was slow enough that we could chat easily. Before I knew it we had run five miles. Normally I run by myself and I am aware of the distance covered even as I zone out. Running with friends silenced that internal odometer and made the experience more enjoyable. Time flies when you’re having fun and all that. I don’t run with an ipod, but I see a lot of people do and now I’m wondering if that might not have the same effect as chatting with friends. Actually, I’ll still prefer friends for the social aspect, but I might give the music a try.

I was in Pennsylvania the last few days and went on a twelve mile hike with members of the Sierra Club in R.B. Winters Park. The weather was ideal and the hike spectacular. The route was rocky which meant I spent more time looking down than up, but when I could take my eyes off the path there was nothing but wonderful nature. A very refreshing change from the concrete of New York. The best part, however, was that I was able to take mental notes as I walked. A few scenes in the current book became much clearer.

The heart remains willing, but the shins have had enough for the moment. Actually, it’s the muscles that run up the front of the shins that are causing problems so I’m taking a couple weeks off to let them heal. I’ll then start back slowly with some new exercises from my coach, Natalie, so that I don’t get sidelined by them again. In the meantime I’ve joined a gym so I will be able to burn a few calories and hopefully not go all to pot while I recuperate.

I usually wear glasses so when I run in high humidity including rain, like today, my glasses fog up and my view of the world goes wet and milky. I think the clouding of my vision turns my thoughts even more inward than usual. Runners zone out or get into a zone as the miles click by and the rain seems to accentuate that. Soon all that exists is the wooshing sound of my breath as the pavement flashes by (well, rolls by, I’m not that fast…yet). I don’t write while I’m running, not exactly, but I do find my thoughts wandering to a character, especially one that I’ve placed in a life or death situation. No doubt the rushing of blood, the increased heart rate, sweat, exertion and the simple act of motion contribute.

I belong to a private library here in New York and last night they put on an event for member writers. There had to be over 200 people there, but if you give writers a chance to emerge from isolation to be feted you’re going to get a big turnout. The array of books displayed was impressive, not to mention the wine and hors d’oeuvre they served throughout the evening. I met many interesting people, many with publishing backgrounds, and I think the evening went a long way to building a sense of community among the members.

Hats off to the folks at the New York Society Library for a wonderful event!