The Morning Run and the Creative Sprint

I love a good morning run.

Well… most mornings. Let’s not lie to each other — I’m not out there when it’s 104 degrees or when the wind chill turns your eyelashes into icicles. But on the reasonable mornings, when the weather plays nice and I’ve got the courage to roll out of bed instead of hitting snooze six times — it’s one of the best things I do for myself.

There’s something about being up and moving while the rest of the world is still wiping the crusties out of its eyes. The air is calm. The light is soft. And for those first 10 minutes (before I start bargaining with God to send a golf cart), everything feels possible. The days I run are the days I feel energized, clear, and oddly proud — like I already won a tiny victory before the sun even finished clocking in.

This all started thanks to a guy in my neighborhood. Sixty-something. Rain or shine, there he was — walking or jogging, same route, same quiet commitment. That man became my accidental fitness mentor. I figured, if he can do it, what’s my excuse?

I started slow and low — slow pace, low mileage. A few blocks turned into a mile, and a mile turned into two or three. Still not breaking any land speed records, but I’m not in it for the gold. I’m in it for the go.

And here’s where photography comes in.

Morning runs and photography — they’ve got more in common than you’d think. Both are about showing up consistently. Both require patience, practice, and persistence. And both teach you that progress isn’t loud or flashy — it’s subtle. It’s built, brick by brick, step by step, frame by frame.

Just like I didn’t lace up one day and knock out a 5K, I didn’t pick up a camera and immediately start cranking out gallery-worthy work. I had to pace myself. I had to learn what worked (and what really didn’t). I had to learn the rhythm — of my breathing, of the shutter, of editing flow. You don’t get better overnight. You get better every morning you show up, do the work, and keep going.

Running helps clear the mental clutter — and that pays off in creativity. Some of my best photo ideas have hit me mid-stride, usually when I’m dripping sweat and internally whining about my knees. Movement unlocks something. When the body is in motion, the mind often follows.

So here’s to morning runs. And here’s to slow starts, small wins, and steady progress — in running shoes or behind the lens. If you’re out there chasing something — a better pace, a cleaner edit, a sharper image, or just a little bit of peace before the day begins — keep at it.

You don’t have to be fast. You just have to keep moving forward.