Back in my running days, my early 30's, I remember the practice of "carb-loading." Eating meals heavy in carbohydrates the day before a big race with the goal of the body storing up extra accessible fuel for the task ahead. This was especially important before long distance runs, and triathlons, races that always exceeded the longest training sessions. For a half marathon, 13.1 miles, the rule of thumb was that the longest training run should be about 10 miles, and with carb-loading you would finish the race. This was also a period in my life of living on a austere diet, I forced my body into a thin shape that I had outgrown as a child, an unnatural shape for me - so the carb fest of pasta and bread was a real feast, that my body used to create endurance needed to extraordinary (for me) feats. Likewise as creatives we can, we need to, feed our creative powers. We do this by viewing art, hearing music, reading - reading - reading, tasting, smelling, watching movies, going to the theater; taking it all in. Spend time in museums, galleries, streets and alleys covered in murals and graffiti, listen to familiar music, and new music, read things you love, read things that you hate, cook your favorites, and try new things. We feed our creative powers by travel, seeing different and new places and things. As creatives we need to fill our brains, and our bodies with fuel, with creative fodder. Take every opportunity you can to feed the beast of creativity.
Carb loading is not a phrase I hear now.
ReplyDeleteYour point about creative powers is a good one
It was the 80s.
DeleteI remember carb loading before marathons. I didn’t run them. The pasta was still good.
ReplyDeleteI had this chicken and pasta dish that was my favorite
DeleteI'm with Mitchell. I support carb-loaded for those who ran!
ReplyDeleteSome of the well organized races, would hold special dinners the evening before.
DeleteI know hockey players always used to carb load before games but apparently that is not done anymore. Now it's viewed as unnecessary and a cause of sluggishness. So instead players eat a "quality pre-game meal 2–4 hours before the game," whatever that means -- probably a well balanced meal involving protein and veggies.
ReplyDeleteI like your analogy about how to feed a creative spirit!
I only know one person who played hockey 🏑🏒
DeleteMy art challenge club met last night so I had a great time feeding my creativity.
ReplyDeleteHow fun.
DeleteWhat and inspiration to start the day. Keep learning, keep creating, keep on growing.
ReplyDeleteI have had fun writing these
DeleteHow true all of this is. I would like SITAR to grow into a place where artists of all mediums get that inspirational feed. This is a brilliant post, thank you for sharing with SITAR Sunday in the Art Room
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure, my Saturday posts this year will focus on creativity.
DeleteI love your take on creativity, Travel Penguin!
ReplyDelete