How much better would your life be without running?

It wouldn't be any better. I run because I love it. I like the feeling of running. I like the team feeling, even if you are not on a team, I at least feel a common bond to other runners. I love to compete and running gives me an outlet. I like to have something to focus on, a goal to work towards. Is it the best goal for everyone? No. Is it the best goal for me? Yes, because it makes me happy.

I like running - especially fast

If I didn't run, I'd play some other sport

THEANTIRUNNER wrote:

Your post reflects the article I posted above. It's all about how runners become obsessive because its one thing they feel they can completely take control over in a wrold where there are so many other things they can't control (ie social acceptance,confidence, self esteem, etc) It also really briefly discusses how some of the types become the way they are as a result of an unhappy childhood (ie family issues,bullying,non acceptace etc) The point I'm trying to make is that most runners are F*** ups to begin with in one way or another. So I guess it isn't even worth considering what life would have been without it. You didn't really choose it, it chose you.

I don't know whether it's true of most runners, but it's true of many, and I certainly think that it applies to me. Before I was a competitive runner, I was a tournament chess player. The two activities have much in common. They both have very clear rules. They both allow one to reach a high level without relying on or interacting much with others. They both provide one with the illusion of control and mastery over a particular universe if one only works hard enough at it. And I have known at least as many chess bums as running bums -- people who had the brains to do other more financially and socially rewarding activities, but who found comfort in that particular world.

As I hope I made clear in my earlier post, however, I don't see a habitual running life as entirely negative, or even (necessarily) predominantly negative. But it definitely has its dark side.

Like "former runner," I hope that this thread continues. It's an interesting and, I think, valuable discussion.

I think you all are crazy. By all means, if you hate running so much, then please, go ahead and stop. But I've never felt this way. I've never had to sacrifice so much to be able to run. I've chosen not to eat certain things, to forgo certain outings in order to run, but I did that all because I wanted to, not because I felt that running demanded it of me against my will. I don't think you have the right mentality. Most of my best friends are runners or people I've run with. I can't say I've lost anything running. It's complemented my life so well, I don't look at it as impeding my lifestyle.

Running is my main social activity, without it I'm not sure what I'd do. I just don't get on in a lot of other sports or activities. Most of my friends outside of running are overweight, WOW playing, ... I won't say anymore.

Let's just say that I run less than most play video games and the women who run are better looking.

I have run for the past 10 years without too much in the way of time off, and I don't think it led to any of the negatives that the OP said. First of all, he assumes that to run, your life has to be anchored around and dominated by running. This is simply not the case, though I am sure there are some runners that are in this situation. Also, running has helped me stay healthy, and I have never been chronically injured.

In regards to how my life would be without running, I did take some time off for a few months (I have been running now for the past 4 weeks), and although I had more free time while not running, it wasn't a lot of extra time, and I didn't really find my days any more productive (running around an hour is not that much of your day). In addition, I finally feel like I am in shape once more, and frankly it feels great. It is nice to have a well of energy and not be tired after only moderate activity.

I would also completely disagree that people can't have a good social life while running; I didn't go out on lots of Friday's in college because of meets or workouts the next day, but why would I let that stop me from having a good time on Saturday night, or Thursdays, or whenever I needed it? Just like any other activity one chooses to pursue, scheduling is always going to be important, and balances have to be made.

In the end it comes down to whether you run because you like to, or you run because it is an obsession. I think and hope most people who run do so because they like it. I know that's why I do.

theantirunner (I'm sure there is more than one?)

The article you posted the link for is a very interesting and thought provoking fluff piece. But do you know anything about the person who rambles on about compulsive runners? Alayne (not Alayna. Did the author quote her correctly, if he can't correctly spell her name?)Yates M.D. is a 70 something child psychiatrist. I wonder if she's also an overweight, chain smoker? Many in her trade are.

She writes a lot about children and sex. Is she obsessed by that? She's really an interesting writer. Here's something she wrote:

"He inhales deeply, presses urgently against her, and

unwittingly pinches her nipple...she...whispers softly. He fixes his eyes on her, and kneads one delectable tidbit with his fingers as he relishes the other with his lips. She pushes firmly on his nates as he forces his hips against hers. An ancient rhythm oscillates and ebbs. Gradually his grip relaxes and he drifts toward a deep, refreshing slumber. She tenderly disentangles her hair from beneath his body. Then she covers him with the comforter, and carries him to his crib."

Wow! She continues with "The infant is a sensuous being...His whole body is a sexual organ." She then goes on to quote Freud. Yadadadadada.

Okay??????? But how does this set her up to be an authority on runners? Wait, I'm having an epiphany: I guess we didn't get to breast feed enough as babies and are sublimating are rage by running. Therefore to cure our running obsession we should start breast feeding again?

Help us here antirunner. We're not all trained Freudians. Did I get that right?

You wrote:

"The best part is that you get to look down on everyone else who doesn't do it."

Think about what you wrote there... seriously... for a bit. And you wonder why distance runners are generally considered narcissistic, self-absorbed, angry social outcasts.

Post of the day. You took the words right out of my mouth.

former runner wrote:

this is the best thread ive seen in a long time. i'm sure it'll get deleted by tomorrow. i stopped running after my college career ended 3 months ago and although i have no job prospects, no girlfriend, no idea where ill be living in a month, and i rarely seen my friends anymore, i am the happiest i've been in a very long time. i no longer feel like im stuck in a prison where everything from the time i wake up in the morning, to how i spend my days and what i eat for every meal are determined by some guy who thinks he can run my life better than i can...

...when in reality we just slaves to a fantasy that kept us from living the natural social lives that we so profoundly desired.

It's clear that the disagreements are because we're coming from different perspectives. You had pressure to run well, maybe keep a college scholarship or whatever. I love running because I've loved the outdoors my entire life, and I would still be doing and enjoying other activities outdoors if I wasn't running - hiking in the local mountains, walking my dog, orienteering (which is running and thinking fast), rock climbing, cross country skiing, road and mountain biking, backpacking, studying/enjoying geology, wildlife, trees, flowers, etc.

I enjoy the competitive aspects of running (and skiing, orienteering, etc) as well, but I don't have the pressure of someone running in college. To me, it's the equivalent of pick up basketball, soccer, disc golf, or whatever else non-runners do for recreation. It's a large part of my very enjoyable social scene. I look forward to seeing and competing against my friends weekly in the summer in orienteering (plus occassional mountain or trail races), in the fall in local xc races, in the winter in ski races. I met my girlfriend from running, and she enjoys the same things... it's just "natural social life" for me. I sometimes set some goals for my racing, but it's not onerous. Othertimes, I find myself rounding into good shape and then go looking for races.

Perhaps. But that relief you feel it more release and anger/frustration held against the "system". do you hate to run really? be honest with yourself where this anger is coming from. because if 5 years from now you realize you still love running it'll be too late to be competitive. besides you in "society" now. It's not all bed and roses. running might help you keep grounded and sane while working, and still have a chance to do what you set out to accomplish your running dreams.

No way, running is part of my life, it can bring loneliness, interfere with girlfriends and social life, but that's how I am, I like that way, and running keeps me alive and reveals my personality.

Go on any board for any activity.....triathletes, bikers, golfers, tennis players, yada yada, and you can find people trying to pursue said activity to some extreme. That article does not typify a runner and is an outlier. It boils down to free time and what you do with it. Why do you think I got into running in the first place. Parents didn't want me home at 3:00 everyday with nothing to do. Went out for XC.... Next thing you know I'm pretty good at and setting goals for myself, not a bad lesson to learn through sports.

What goals we choose to pursue with our free time is our choice. Here on letsrun.com we choose running (obviously). Physical completion goals are certainly not uncommon in any other activity, i.e. making an amatuer cut for golf, moving up in age brackets in tennis, etc., I think everyone needs an "antidepressant" or stress reliever. Personally, I have a fairly stressful job and when I hit the bricks for 8 miles it alows me to think things through and wrap my mind around the day/week/month in a way I couldn't if I did something else. If I miss a day or 2, I don't freak out as I'm sure alot of letsrunners don't, but man do I feel great after a run. So F Runner and ANTI, wipe that sh*t off your tummy and get off the couch and find a hobby. Running is good, but it certainly doesn't have to be.

My experience:

Up until two years ago, I was a serious runner - logging 2 runs a day, 100-115mpw. I was improving steadily and in my last two years of competing had made several minor international cross-country race teams (but not world cross - p.s. I'm not American). Then I got injured, cross-trained, tried my best at rehab and eventually quit. Struggled with it for a while.

But two years on, I feel like quitting was the best thing to happen, even if it wasn't entirely "voluntary". I found myself with time on my hands, and threw myself into other things - played in a band, and last year started up an arts organisation. That's been very rewarding for me, and feels a good deal more selfless than the running did. As well as extra time, I also have so much more energy to devote to things. I still spend 1 hr in the gym 5-6days a week (it helps balance my mood, and wards off weight gain that I have a tendency towards) but I'm a lot more flexible than I was when I had to get 2 runs in every day - missing a few days whenever I want to is no big deal. In work I'm more motivated and I perform better. When running lots of miles and workouts I think there's a cumulative fatigue that effectively knocks a few points off your IQ. I also think running has a way of making you "not pay attention" to the direction of the rest of your life - career ambitions etc seem less pressing than building up to the nationals in 2 months etc.

All that being said, I think running did help me out. I made some good friends, and feel I developed a mental toughness and ability to perform under pressure. I also developed discipline and time management - I think i get more out of my 24 hours a day than nearly anyone I know these days. I do miss it sometimes, but I won't go back - it would mean sacrificing too much.

Oh, and I'm still a fan of the sport, as you can see from my presence here!

My life would be much worse without running. I assume you are beginning with the presupposition that competitive running is an anchor and I am not a competitive runner. I wish I was running a bit more but have no desire to be competitive. Occasionally I think about trying to be faster and compete against those in my age group but I am just not that interested.

Without running I would be miserable. Running is a great fitness activity for the time and money. I feel better when I run. If I miss, I don't sleep as well, I am less patient with people and if something causes me to miss an extended amount of days I begin to feel unpleasant for lack of a better word.

Running is for me, what religion becomes for others, my solace in trying times and my joy in good times. My life would be much worse without it.

Running is real. The way I do it is the realest thing I know. It makes me weary beyond comprehension. But it also makes me free.

What is wrong with you people?!?!

Run because you like to run and it makes you happy. Who gives a shit if its compulsive or whatever? Humans are compulsive things. If it doesn't make you happy, you have a problem. If it does, who cares? Do it then.

For anyone who said anything about women involved in this, you don't get women because you aren't secure enough with yourself. This is also seen in you questioning why you do something that you presumably love to do. If you don't, you probably don't get women because you are a little bitch who can't give up something that you don't like. It means you are probably clingy, not just to running, but to women.

I run a lot (90ish miles a week). I have a social life. I have a beautiful (non-running) girlfriend. I go clubbing. I work hard. I love my life, and running is something that makes me happy. Maybe it is compulsive for me? Maybe it isn't? But why should I care?

My life would be worse- because I like running. Simple as that. Sometimes, I lose perspective or get annoyed with pressure or whatever, but in general, I like running.

Even people doing 100 miles a week are running, what, about 2 hours a day? How is two hours a day on a hobby unhealthy?

Sleep- 8 hours

Work/School (including commute)- 10 hours

Errands (laundry, food shopping, cleaning the house, whatever)- 2 hours

Running- 1-2hrs (at an avg of 8min pace, which of course, no letsrunner runs, that's anywhere from about 40-60 miles in the 5 weekdays).

That leaves 2-3 hours every weekday for another hobby, spending time with significant other/family, do some work you might have brought home, sit around watching tv, whatever. On weekends, without the 10 hours devoted to work/school, you have plenty of time to do stuff with your friends or significant other, head to a bar, play rec soccer, whatever you feel like doing.

Like other people have stated, it's your attitude toward running that can be unhealthy.

I'm about to hit 40 and I've been running since my late 20s. I've never been so good at it, about a 30-40 mpw guy with one or two long races a year, but I really enjoy it.

The key for me to enjoy this sport is to concentrate on what I like to do with it...which is primarily running trails alone or with my wife...and not follow cookie cutter programs or other peoples' workout schedules. Over the years I have pretty much quit running on the track, because it seems to hurt my body and I find it very boring anyhow. However I do like to do hills and tempo workouts, so I do those.

I do trail races or small road marathons because I like those, but you won't find me at 5Ks. I don't do group runs, I don't run on the treadmill unless the weather is outrageously awful...I prefer a lack of structure and run by feel, which makes me feel much more in control of the workout "schedule". Some weeks I'll run 50 miles in 7 days, others I'll do 20 in 5. Some people might call me a "hobbyjogger" or whatever, but this is what works for me. I'm still trying to get better and enjoying it, so that's what I'm gonna do.

I have found what I like in the sport and the balance that fits, and I feel very fortunate that I am healthy enough to partake in running. It's one of the best things in my life.