Chapter 1: Running as a Creative Outlet

Running can be a formidable challenge, as Jacqueline Simon Gunn aptly states. The harsh truth is that the activity can be quite painful. I've participated in four marathons and two half-marathons, dedicating nearly thirty years to running throughout my adult life. Each time I cross the finish line, I inevitably ponder, "Why did I subject myself to this?"

Yet, the sense of relief that washes over me after completing my usual eight-mile run or enduring a marathon is truly unparalleled.

Beyond merely alleviating stress, running functions as a profound extension of our consciousness, becoming a partner in our creative endeavors. It turns out that running and writing share more similarities than we might realize. Joyce Carol Oates captures this beautifully:

“In running, the mind flies with the body; the mysterious efflorescence of language seems to pulse in the brain in rhythm with our feet and the swinging of our arms. Ideally, the runner who’s a writer is running through the land- and cityscapes of her fiction, like a ghost in a real setting.”

The essence of this quote lies in the notion of "rhythm." There exists a wonderful synergy between our minds and bodies while we run, a connection that mirrors our writing process. In this harmonious blend, we create a new beat that calls to us, just like the blank page beckons us before we begin to write.

When I first ventured into running, I was still a university student. During a turbulent economic time in Cuba (which continues to struggle), I discovered that hitting the pavement in my hometown of Havana was a way to cope with daily stress. At times, I even ran barefoot due to a lack of proper shoes. Nevertheless, my primary objective was simply to keep moving. Unlike Forrest Gump, I didn’t run to the ocean, but I covered significant distances.

Over the years, running has evolved into a form of therapy for me. Much like cycling—my other passion, for which I am a certified instructor—I find that I need to incorporate it into my routine. If I go for weeks without lacing up my trainers, my body starts to protest, and a voice in my mind queries what’s wrong.

As I jog past various buildings and homes, I often craft narratives in my mind that may later find their way into a Word document. I become Joyce’s stress-free ghost, navigating real landscapes.

Key takeaway: Running transcends physical activity; it engages our minds just as much as it does our bodies.

Chapter 2: The Benefits of Embracing New Paths