I ran my first mile a year ago. Anyone who saw me that day wouldn’t have thought I was doing it to lose weight. Maybe some even thought I was already a runner, until they saw how I stopped every couple of minutes to catch my breath.
It all started because of my deep concerns over my health. My dad had recently passed away from complications related to diabetes. My mom did, too. The likelihood of me developing the disease is very high.
I was in search of an activity that would give me clear results in the shortest amount of time that wouldn’t cost me anything. I chose running. I already owned a pair of running shoes and I had a convenient location. All I had to do was pick a day and begin.
All this is ironic because I used to run cross country in high school. I came in last nearly every race. I hated it more than taking a cold shower in the middle of winter, but I needed the gym credit.
I knew it would be difficult. The key was to give myself an achievable goal. I started with a mile. However, the real key was that I allowed myself to walk whenever I pleased without feeling guilty. I accepted that my results would be slow, but I wouldn’t feel bad doing it.
After a while I saw results. Little by little I increased the distance. I shortened the amount of time I walked. It felt incredible.
Something else occurred, however, that I didn’t expect. I never experienced it when I was younger. Maybe I was too busy complaining.
I noticed that while I was running, whatever story problems I had at the time, I discovered new ideas to solve them. They didn’t always work, but I never failed to come home with a better idea.
Running was my secret weapon against writer’s block. It became equally as motivating as improving my health.
I remember watching an interview with one of my favorite screenwriters, Aaron Sorkin. His secret weapon was to take a shower whenever he got stuck. Some days he showered seven or eight times.
I can’t run seven or eight times a day, but it’s still my sanctuary. It clears my mind. It takes me to a place where new ideas surface unmired by guilt. I cannot write without running.
It has saved my writing and opened up my life.
Race to the line where the road meets the sky!