I quit running

ICan'tAnymore wrote:

I never thought I would say this but I'm quiting running. I've been running for 10 years now and the training for it is just too hard for me. I can't take it anymore it is too stressful. How do other runners handle the stress and continue to train? I don't know if it just me or the way I'm eating. I don't know, but all I know is I'm done with running.

Everything in your training can`t feel hard I suppose? Is it too much mileage relatively your other life demands that you think makes it hard? Too high mileage and taking too much time in your life?

I'm trying to run 50 miles every week with a full time job and I'm starting to find it very difficult and stressful. How do other runners do it? I enjoyed running but maybe it is just not for me.

I'm considering the same thing. Been running off/on since high school and I don't think I've ever had an injury free training cycle. Running is the best of the best when my body is healthy, a sensational feeling, but absolute hell when injured. I seem to get more pleasure out of cross training, such as biking and lifting.

Guys 10x faster than you have quit.

I'll bet many who quit are the same who bashed hobby joggers or non-elites.

Running 50mpw is harder than running 100mpw.

So start increasing your mileage gradually until you hit 100mpw. You will start feeling it easier.

How so?

The Way We Were wrote:

Running 50mpw is harder than running 100mpw.

So start increasing your mileage gradually until you hit 100mpw. You will start feeling it easier.

Hobby.Jogger.to.Couch wrote:

Guys 10x faster than you have quit.

If I was fast enough I would rather quit my job than quit running. I find you have to have a lot of free time in order to train properly. But because I need to work and everything it makes running very hard. Squeezing in workouts, feeling tired. It becomes stressful.

"White people are very well-suited to ultra distances over mountainous terrain- that's just science."

ICan'tAnymore wrote:

How so?

The Way We Were wrote:

Running 50mpw is harder than running 100mpw.

So start increasing your mileage gradually until you hit 100mpw. You will start feeling it easier.

Just ask a great poster named HRE. He knows many runners who experienced exactly that, including himself.

I think, as you get fitter, it becomes easier to handle the same mileage. And running higher mileage makes you fitter.

ICan'tAnymore wrote:

I'm trying to run 50 miles every week with a full time job and I'm starting to find it very difficult and stressful. How do other runners do it? I enjoyed running but maybe it is just not for me.

Depends of course what kind of job you have. If it`s "body work" it is harder to train. But do like this......forget about the mileage! Don`t think about it and do 10 - 20 x 400m at your 5 k pace and recover between down to roughly 120 beats per min once per week. The other workout you run LT- pace at cruise intervals f.ex 6-12 x 1200m or 4-8 x 1600m with recovery down to 120 bpm also once in the week. One day(or 2 if you prefer) you rest total to recharge your batteries . The other four days you go out and run easy as long as you feel it is fun and you feel strength left. 30 min - 60 min. That way it will be more fun and not so demanding. And it will be more fun when you soon will be running faster then ever before.

The one and only,

COACH J.S

The Way We Were wrote:

Just ask a great poster named HRE. He knows many runners who experienced exactly that, including himself.

I think, as you get fitter, it becomes easier to handle the same mileage. And running higher mileage makes you fitter.

HRE is a great advicer but I myself felt the same feeling to quit running when the high mileage got too much to fix a fulltime job also. I cut off the easy morning runs and slept instead. Ran 6 times per week with the right stuff and ran my best race times ever....mostly always full of energy and eager to do my daily run. And also more energy to fulfill my working dutys.

You shouldn't do something that you really aren't enjoying. Take some time away if you think that you need that. Running will still be there when you get back.

Alternatively, approach it in a different way. Cut back to 20-30 miles a week and make it a social outlet - easy runs with non-work friends to catch up and check in. Lots of easy distance. No training schedule. If you feel like turning it over some days, have at it. But don't look at it as anything other than a social outlet, a meditation session when you're alone, or a way to keep from getting out of shape.

If you walk away from running for a while, I'd find another way to cross train - regular exercise does a ton to keep you emotionally stabilized, keep you healthy, and keep you within striking distance of running fitness should you decide you're ready to return to the sport.

Unless you're a professional runner, it makes no sense to run unless you enjoy it. Don't want to run anymore? Then don't! The world won't come to an end. Find another leisure activity, preferably a physically active one so that you'll stay in halfway decent shape and not get fat.

You may find that once you allow yourself to quit, you'll find you really miss it and start running again.

What matters to you in life? Hopefully your family, partner, friends, and general health, and of course your job. Unless running is your job, it should be way down on your priority list. Don't do it unless you want to.

ICan'tAnymore wrote:

How so?

The Way We Were wrote:

Running 50mpw is harder than running 100mpw.

So start increasing your mileage gradually until you hit 100mpw. You will start feeling it easier.

I feel like increasing mileage does make running easier and more fun!

I think 100mpw is a stretch but going to even 75 would be good. Your body just gets used to running and learns how to recover faster. Especially if you do some doubles. Now that I have started running more miles, I crave it every day, sometimes twice a day!

Also, learn to run properly. Heel-striking is inefficient and puts too much stress on your joints, causing you to feel a lot more tired after a run. Going more natural with a forefoot strike is not only more fun, you'll also feel more efficient and tire much less quickly. Additionally, if you wear a thin shoe like VFFs or no shoes at all, you'll get to feel the ground which is an awesome feeling.

That's my advice, take it or leave it.

What is taking up your time? Are you working 40 hours or more? 50 miles a week at 7 minute mile pace would require around an hour per day. If your married and have kids, a little more understandable to fit the time in. Once you get to that point in life, you'll be lucky to get in half that and maintain your family and work life. Take advantage of the time and energy you have now if you're single.

ICan'tAnymore wrote:

I never thought I would say this but I'm quiting running. I've been running for 10 years now and the training for it is just too hard for me. I can't take it anymore it is too stressful. How do other runners handle the stress and continue to train? I don't know if it just me or the way I'm eating. I don't know, but all I know is I'm done with running.

mrtalent wrote:

ICan'tAnymore wrote:

How so?

I feel like increasing mileage does make running easier and more fun!

I think 100mpw is a stretch but going to even 75 would be good. Your body just gets used to running and learns how to recover faster. Especially if you do some doubles. Now that I have started running more miles, I crave it every day, sometimes twice a day!

Also, learn to run properly. Heel-striking is inefficient and puts too much stress on your joints, causing you to feel a lot more tired after a run. Going more natural with a forefoot strike is not only more fun, you'll also feel more efficient and tire much less quickly. Additionally, if you wear a thin shoe like VFFs or no shoes at all, you'll get to feel the ground which is an awesome feeling.

That's my advice, take it or leave it.

I think we prefer to leave it. Makes no sense ;)

You just need to stop taking running so seriously. This is your hobby. You are not training for the Olympics. Don't worry about mileage. Don't worry about pace. Don't worry about having a few beers or a pizza every now and then.

If you've been running for 10 years then you obviously get some enjoyment out of the sport. That enjoyment will come back if you relax and stop taking it so seriously. Maybe after a few weeks of easy running the motivation will be back and you will enjoy the hard training again.

Running is my stress reliever. If it's causing you stress, you're doing it wrong.