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Writer and Triathlete—
How One Passion Fuels the Other
by Christine Mazurk

I am a writer, and I am a triathlete, two opposing passions that fight one another, but fuel each other as well. How so, you wonder? Think of it as well written conflict between your hero and heroine. When he wants one thing and she wants something completely different, problems arise, and yet, on occasion, those problems draw them closer together.

For me, the occurrence is daily.

As a writer, I have a need to keep butt in chair while fingers dance in an exuberant fashion over the keyboard. As I get immersed in the world of my characters, I forget to eat, to drink, and sometimes I miss a much needed trip to the potty — until my bladder flips over after a bloodcurdling screech and plays dead that is.

As a triathlete, my body needs to get outside and train. I compete in endurance events (translation, long distance, many hours), which means the shortest training run I take is an hour, the longest training ride is about six, and time in the pool fluctuates somewhere around ninety minutes. Hours of training equals hours not writing. Can you see my dilemma?

But I've learned to make them work together.

Oddly, it was while writing my first manuscript and training for my very first Ironman that I realized the two could be a couple. A few months into training, I felt the opposing pulls of my two endeavors, the guilt weighed on my shoulders, and one question plagued me — how could I train for hours and still write a four hundred page novel?

But on the morning of a long run, the answer came to be like a flaming meteor. It was dark, the sun had yet to awaken, and my husband and I were out for a fifteen miler. We don't talk when training; it's our quiet time to concentrate on our own thoughts. My right knee was sore and I was favoring it when Alexandra and Tyler, the characters from my ms, popped into my head and acted out the scene I'd begun the day before. It was like watching a movie as I glided down the sidewalk. Their actions were vivid, their voices clear, and I knew I needed only to commit the pictures to memory, so I could type them when I got home. They rehearsed the entire chapter, scene after scene as I ran.

Miraculously, the pain in my knee vanished and I ran with the lightness of a feather. When I got home, I wasn't tired; I was exhilarated and ready to hit the keyboard. I showered, brewed some coffee and got to work. The scenes they had created flowed from my fingertips and the story took shape — and so a new pairing began.

I found that the hours of training flew by and I felt less pain if I kept my brain focused on what needed to happen next in my stories. Like a movie playing in my head, I planned the next few scenes while my body got the workout it deserved.

After a hard workout, a refreshing shower, my fingers itched to get to work, and my time in front of the computer became much more productive. Over time, I learned that if I hit a wall in my writing, I simply had to go out for a run or a ride, and the problem would resolve itself as the salty sweat poured over my skin. If I hit that dreaded wall while training, I simply spoke to my characters and let them infuse me with fresh energy and ideas.

One passion fueled the other. My body would sweat, and my mind painted beautiful pictures to the harmony of every breath I drew in. As my muscles gained strength, my words stirred emotion. As I achieved endurance for my heart and lungs, my writing evoked deeper, more compelling reactions from my readers. One fed the other, and they both gained substance.

I can and do train for Ironman distance events (140.6 miles) while writing emotionally satisfying stories. I've completed six Ironman races, collected my hard earned medals, and finished three single-title manuscripts, which one day will be published, and I'll be able to glory in the achievement of every sweat induced word.

I look at the two passions in my life and realize without them, I'd be nothing, but with them I am a well-rounded, physically fit, mentally stimulated individual. One passion fuels the other to keep life interesting. And I plan to continue following those passions with all of my heart.

I would urge you to find your passions and do the same. Whether they fight or fuel each other, let them be the driving force to chase your dreams, whatever they may be.

 

Why I decided to write full-time:

I knew as a young child that I would one day write a novel, but I was also realistic enough to know I had to experience life before I’d have anything of interest to write about. While living on the island of Guam with a not-so-gentle nudge from my husband, I realized the time had come. Our lives had been blessed. I now had lots to share.

 The backdrop of my life, an incredible husband, a magnificent son, great friends and a generous family showed me the power of love. An awesome career, a world traveled for both work and athletics took me to corners of the world some people will never see. I’ve been in boardrooms, crossed Ironman finish lines, kayaked rivers and lakes on the other side of the world, rode my bike across Ireland, visited family in England, France, and Canada. How much of that could be transformed into entertaining stories?

Words were a constant with me. Poetry, journals, letters to aunts in far away places. Because I was shy, words on paper never intimidated me. They were my form of communication. Why couldn’t I share my heart stories with the world?

Christine on her bike during a race.Why not? I knew how to set goals, develop plans, and take action to reach those goals. I also knew how to listen to my emotions and open myself to dreams. I could create characters who felt life and let them take me down a road of excitement. My first step was to complete a manuscript. Sitting down at the blank computer screen was easier than I imagined. The words cascaded to the screen and my motivation to get published grew with each and every day. My persistence as a human being will allow me to one day plant my flag in the mountain of my dream. Won’t you journey with me?

Writing became an obsession.

Just like training for my first endurance race, I set a goal – to become a published author. My plan – write completed manuscripts and then take action; rewrite, learn more about the craft and the business, polish, submit, and begin writing another. I know that consistent action is necessary to reach any goal; therefore each day begins with a new set of sub-goals.

In training you have bad days, in writing you get rejections, but persistence gets you to the finish line. Though I’m not yet published, I am persistent. The day will come when I too can share the news that I got the call. I know it as surely as the blood pumps through my veins. I will continue to write what takes hold of my heart with the passion and emotion that surges through me. I will not compromise my voice or unique style, though I’m flexible enough to work with a professional to improve that work.

Christine's two cats: Taco and Tequilla. I write what’s in my heart; I don’t follow the rules. I don’t hunt for a trend and write to fit a niche, instead I share the emotions generated by the people who enter my life. I filter the complexities of family and friends, lovers and children, and create stories about how they enrich our existence.

I embrace change in my life and create possibilities for my characters to do the same. I write about more that just the relationship between a man and a woman (that is an additional benefit). My common thread involves trying something new, taking a risk, having courage, venturing out of our comfort zone. Who knows what you might find out there? My stories are about the relationships that surround each one of us and the altering effects they have on our lives.

I became passionate about athletics and how we push our bodies to the limit and sometimes beyond. I experienced how true love has the power to positively change the course of our lives. I’ve seen what depression, selfishness, and criticism can do to a young person, and I wanted to share all of that with you.

I will continue to weave stories about life and the heart of change.

May the day come when you find them on your local bookshelf.

Christine