A Big Transition

I have a new goal, and I am motivated to achieve it. It’s not a fitness activity but it will have an impact upon my fitness. Here’s the goal: I will complete the first draft of a novel in one year. Here’s what I’ve learned about this goal so far: it takes time and work. Specifically, I need to write about 100,000 words. I have written 7,609 thus far. I have miles to go before I sleep.

I need to write every day, more or less.

In the decade of my twenties I played lacrosse seriously, from thirty to forty I played basketball seriously, from forty to fifty-something I ran seriously. By seriously, I mean I worked at it, kept score, and cared about the results. That doesn’t mean that I was ever much more than a middle-of-the-packer in any of these pursuits. I anticipate much the same with my new pursuit. I’m going to work at it, and I care about it, and I want the result to be the best that I can produce.

If it’s the literary equivalent of a six hour marathon, that’s okay.

So my fitness goal is 30 minutes per day of sweat exercise. No races, no contests, nothing but the minimum requirement for health.