RandoGuy wrote:
D1 college runner looking to quit my team. Can anyone tell me what this process looks like? I want to make this as easy as possible. To be sure, I do not want to have to argue my reasoning to my coaches, for I have thought this out plenty over the past year.
I entirely hate distance running, and ultimately, it is never going to help me attain my career goals; the time wasted on this sport that I could be using towards my studies makes it more of an obstacle to my desired future.
You don't hate running, you just don't like it right now.
Quit respectfully and don't blame anyone or burn bridges, stay friends with your teammates (they will likely be great friends for years), and give yourself some space from running. It'll come back when you have the time for it and can prioritize it better. or it won't, but you'll probably look back on your running as an important part of your life whether you pick it up again or not.
Also, your personality is not as a runner. You'll be fine.
Trust me, I understand how big and difficult of a decision this is. I quit my college team and didn't really run a step for over 4 years, but those teammates/coaches are still great friends 15 years later and memories are some of the best. I also got back into running again and it's been great. More patience and perspective and time for it.
It's a big step to get to where you are, so you should feel good about that.
good luck.