I wonder how this plays out in terms of long-term benefits. There's an established association between exercise and increased BDNF, but I don't think there's been any investigation as to if that effect is modulated by exercise intensity or longer than average duration.

I'd like to get a (passive) treadmill desk at some point for these reasons. I don't think I've ever found myself to be particularly creative on runs. I think I treat it too seriously, and when I'm not too serious, then I'm trying to be meditative with it or listening to nature. Interesting to hear other people's experiences.