Cliched

One of the first rules of good writing: Don't rely on cliches, avoid them at all costs.

The worst running cliche in the world is the comparison between life and a marathon (or race, etc..).

Well, sometimes a cliche is the most efficient, effective way to convey a thought or feeling to a like minded community. This is why writers are told to avoid them at all costs, they are too easy. Writers, like runners, seek the most difficult route and usually are guilty of going about "re-inventing the wheel".

So here goes: Life IS like a marathon. Sometimes you are on pace, feeling really good and then the very next moment WHAM you get the sensation that you have an anvil squarely placed between your shoulder-blades and your legs are made of both lead AND jelly!

And then, There are analogies and metaphors. A good writer avoids analogies and metaphors because they can easily become a prop. Like cliches, Analogies and metaphors can be an efficient, effective way to convey a thought or feeling to a like minded community.

So: The miles in a run can be likened to the chapters in a book. Each is a component of a larger whole, but also self contained and unique in it's experience. Chapters in a book can be like the phases in our lives, we reach the end of one and a new one begins.

Here a fun way to enjoy running with your friends without relying on cliches, analogies or metaphors; a relay:

or the

Well, so much for hackneyed writing. Go out and run!