thank you, Bernard! a marathon at any age is quite a challenge-- beyond most of us. this is very inspiring. my late husband (Charlie Gross) also took up marathon running at 60 & ran & completed two NYC marathons. he spoke of the camaraderie of the runners & the encouragement of bystanders in every neighborhood the runners ran through. it was a thrilling accomplishment though he ran at no more than the average speed. everyone who finished was accorded respect & applause. good luck-- Joyce
This essay is wonderfully alive with resonances. You combine the lyrical element with the physical to a point where the dividing line--if there is any--begins to dissolve. I have just recently taken up running at my ripe age of 62 and hope to complete a marathon (nothing ventured nothing gained...). Running is opening up my world in ways I had not imagined before. Boston, Paris, and now Shanghai... these cities are being remade from the runner's vantage point, they become lighter and, indeed, more dreamlike. Thank you, Joyce, for these stimulating personal meditations.
Excellent read. I run, too. Got into it a few years back and now I'm 100% addicted. And trust me, I've had worse addictions.
I'd like to think it has helped my writing, as it centers my mind.
"Dreams may be temporary flights into madness that, by some law of neurophysiology unclear to us, keep us from actual madness. So, too, the twin activities of running and writing keep the writer reasonably sane and with the hope, however illusory and temporary, of control." A lovely quote. Thanks for your words.
Thank you for this beautiful piece of writing, Joyce Carol Oates. You have lifted my spirits and inspired me to run. . . errr. . . . . .take long walks again! I especially loved the little known story about Charles Dickens and his night walks. He is one of my very favorites . . . .as are you.
At 85 I do “rug running” at home every day at dark in the wee hours. I repeatedly interrupt to jot something newly thought out on these occasions. Wonderful to imagine you creating your world on your outings that are reminding me to my “innings”.
Thank you so much for all you say. I always walked, at 60yo I will now try running because of this text ! It reminded me that Arundhati Roy said writing and running are the two things she most loves in life.
I'm gearing up for the annual rite of spring in Spokane -- Bloomsday -- a twist on Joyce's (the other Joyce) -- the first Sunday of May rather than June 16. A nice communal festivity to inspire the emergence from winter's isolated hibernation. You were in Spokane for GetLit! a few years back and I attended your reading. It was a coup to have you headline the festival! Here's your invitation to come back and go for a little 12k run in the Lilac City.
I don't run but swim. I suppose everyone finds their own rhythm that allows them to "trespass" later as they write. Your thought about careless play back in the day makes me wonder about the direction prose is taking. It seems that not only the quality but specifically the length of it suffers. You'd need to feel very comfortable to write 1200 pages. I'm not even that young and I don't know how long I would have to swim to get that much done. Thank you for posting
This is a great essay describing the essence of and sensory connections to be found shared through running and/or writing. Running is mental and physical motion and a good piece of writing is also mental implication of different kinds of physical motion. So many things can be detected through both types of motion. The intrinsic motion in the emotional life of your protagonists really gets readers invested in your writing. Really enjoyed this essay. It is very inspiring in a number of ways for runners and writers.
Oh, you have completely surprised me!! I have found your short stories on the verge of horrific, the implied violence and sadness. And now, to find out you love running (as I do), is a revelation!! It's so hopeful! (I am teasing you--please take it with a wink from me.)
I cannot claim the title of either writer or poet per say though the words I do write would be impossible without walking. Thank you for sharing this Joyce Carol Oates… somehow this gives me hope, perhaps misguided but hope nonetheless.
thank you, Bernard! a marathon at any age is quite a challenge-- beyond most of us. this is very inspiring. my late husband (Charlie Gross) also took up marathon running at 60 & ran & completed two NYC marathons. he spoke of the camaraderie of the runners & the encouragement of bystanders in every neighborhood the runners ran through. it was a thrilling accomplishment though he ran at no more than the average speed. everyone who finished was accorded respect & applause. good luck-- Joyce
very interesting. thank you,
Joyce
thank you!
Joyce
Thank you for posting this, Joyce. You are one of the most lucid and creative artists of our time, a true national treasure.
Beautiful essay. It's always refreshing to find someone else who loves Detroit.
This essay is wonderfully alive with resonances. You combine the lyrical element with the physical to a point where the dividing line--if there is any--begins to dissolve. I have just recently taken up running at my ripe age of 62 and hope to complete a marathon (nothing ventured nothing gained...). Running is opening up my world in ways I had not imagined before. Boston, Paris, and now Shanghai... these cities are being remade from the runner's vantage point, they become lighter and, indeed, more dreamlike. Thank you, Joyce, for these stimulating personal meditations.
This is so beautifully well written, a piece I'm happy to read over and over again.
Excellent read. I run, too. Got into it a few years back and now I'm 100% addicted. And trust me, I've had worse addictions.
I'd like to think it has helped my writing, as it centers my mind.
"Dreams may be temporary flights into madness that, by some law of neurophysiology unclear to us, keep us from actual madness. So, too, the twin activities of running and writing keep the writer reasonably sane and with the hope, however illusory and temporary, of control." A lovely quote. Thanks for your words.
Thank you for this beautiful piece of writing, Joyce Carol Oates. You have lifted my spirits and inspired me to run. . . errr. . . . . .take long walks again! I especially loved the little known story about Charles Dickens and his night walks. He is one of my very favorites . . . .as are you.
At 85 I do “rug running” at home every day at dark in the wee hours. I repeatedly interrupt to jot something newly thought out on these occasions. Wonderful to imagine you creating your world on your outings that are reminding me to my “innings”.
Thank you so much for all you say. I always walked, at 60yo I will now try running because of this text ! It reminded me that Arundhati Roy said writing and running are the two things she most loves in life.
I'm gearing up for the annual rite of spring in Spokane -- Bloomsday -- a twist on Joyce's (the other Joyce) -- the first Sunday of May rather than June 16. A nice communal festivity to inspire the emergence from winter's isolated hibernation. You were in Spokane for GetLit! a few years back and I attended your reading. It was a coup to have you headline the festival! Here's your invitation to come back and go for a little 12k run in the Lilac City.
I don't run but swim. I suppose everyone finds their own rhythm that allows them to "trespass" later as they write. Your thought about careless play back in the day makes me wonder about the direction prose is taking. It seems that not only the quality but specifically the length of it suffers. You'd need to feel very comfortable to write 1200 pages. I'm not even that young and I don't know how long I would have to swim to get that much done. Thank you for posting
This is a great essay describing the essence of and sensory connections to be found shared through running and/or writing. Running is mental and physical motion and a good piece of writing is also mental implication of different kinds of physical motion. So many things can be detected through both types of motion. The intrinsic motion in the emotional life of your protagonists really gets readers invested in your writing. Really enjoyed this essay. It is very inspiring in a number of ways for runners and writers.
Oh, you have completely surprised me!! I have found your short stories on the verge of horrific, the implied violence and sadness. And now, to find out you love running (as I do), is a revelation!! It's so hopeful! (I am teasing you--please take it with a wink from me.)
I cannot claim the title of either writer or poet per say though the words I do write would be impossible without walking. Thank you for sharing this Joyce Carol Oates… somehow this gives me hope, perhaps misguided but hope nonetheless.