The passion pursuits we have when we are young lay the foundation for doing other great things as we age. We can still run and enjoy it, but don’t have to beat ourselves up for not constantly improving.
You do realize there is a body composition between stick figure distance runner and fat slob right?
it seems runners always deflect “being skinny if better than being fat!” Well there’s a body in the middle of that that happens to be the most desirable for women. And the distance runner is just as far as the slob is from achieving it
You were right until the last sentence. The most challenging part for anyone trying to achieve a desirable physique is becoming lean and getting their body fat close to or below 10%. Runners already have they part down. Now all they have they have to do is gain 20ish pounds of muscle, which is actually quite easy if you're not running 100 MPW.
I cut back my mileage from 80-100mpw to 30-40mpw and added 2 full body workouts each week. Basically I bench press + dick around with the only "rule" being that I hit each body part at least once. I cannot believe how much better I look after a year. I gained 15lbs of muscle - I'm heavier but my body fat and waist line are exactly the same as they were before I started lifting. Had I hyper focused and actually followed a plan and good nutrition, I could've added 25lbs of muscle in that same time period.
I basically cut out most of the easy miles. Now I do 1 hard interval session, 1 hard tempo run, 1 moderate tempo run, and one easy long run of 8-10 miles, that's it. And some random 2-3 mile treadmill runs after lifting if I have time to kill.
Sad thing is my 5k time has actually gotten better. Of course I'd get crushed trying to run anything longer than a 10k LOL.
There is a big difference between "competitive running," which you mention, and just "running - " whether it be for fitness, health, or just plain enjoyment. While it is "OK" to step away from both I suppose, the stresses and strains (physical and emotional) of serious competitive running can be very wearing. Always a good idea to maintain a healthy lifestyle though.
The key is to finding balance in doing what you love, what challenges you and taking time to rest from everything.
I know plenty of artists and actors who has this same sentiment. Defining themselves by how much success they see in their art, and when there's no return, depression sets in.
Same with lawyers and those in business. I've met some successful people in those businesses but the grind of working 80+ hour weeks with no recreation was a recipe for disaster.
You can be obsessed with something like running, business or art but you must find balance. And if you have terrible thoughts and are building depression or anxiety it's time to see a therapist. There's more going on than your hobby or career. And playing the comparison game on social media doesn't help.
This is why I don't post stats from every run, make a 6 part post about a marathon, etc, because those goals are personal. They help me grow and I like failing and trying again. I also have no problem with running 80-100 mile weeks training for a race, but not giving a damn when I take off two weeks to hiking or travel and enjoy myself.
I quit track as a senior in college. It was a load off my mind. Training and racing had remained fun from freshman in high school, through junior year in college. I loved those few days prior to a race, thinking about opponents and strategy, how to win or PR. Somewhere in there, this gave way to fear of losing/failure. What a nightmare! The idea of arranging my life around another 1500 PR was gone, thank god. At age 24, I started running again, for the fun/joy of it. I've run trail races and road runs for decades but kept things relaxed and fun. The running life is awesome and rewarding, but do it on your terms, no one else's!
Been around the sport for a few decades now, athlete, coach etc. Running is great but I have seen it reward some very destructive personality traits. OCD, paranoia, social isolation, eating disorders, the works.
There are great health benefits for sure, but often times I’ve seen running been as bad as drinking, addiction. It’s a pass time, not a life style. Enjoy the small things about the sport, the community, joy of training and racing.
It becomes a lifestyle with age. I will turn 63 soon and because few people in their 60s run, that turns the sport into one of de facto isolation. Runners over age 60 stick out like sore thumbs in a room filled with people their age. But give up running to be like one of them ? No way.
It sounds like you were not in a supportive environment, where your coaches and teammates helped you overcome your injuries and problems. Programs can be hardcore or supportive, both can produce good results so I would prefer supportive.
I am someone completely and totally invested in my running, and I completely agree with your words and your story hits close to home. I went through several rough patches in running during my college career, and during the second half every single season I failed to reach my goals. In spite of the hardship and ruining my love of the sport at times, I ended up falling back in love with running and doubling down. I've gone back to the basics and started cutting out the things that didn't work and reinforcing the things that did. I'm now pursuing a professional career running and now that I'm finally once gain running for the joy of it, I couldn't be happier.
Glad you're doing well. I know exactly what you mean about keeping a competitive edge. I took up running to replace the thing I was serious about and ended up going way into running. Recently had an injury and it's really helped me reframe it and come to a similar place as you (although I'm a 30s hobby jogger not an athlete lol)
Fighting injuries for years and years just to run made me miserable, and I did not even realize it at the time. For 15 years, running had been everything. Once I gave up, there was a huge weight off of me. To quote Fight Club: "Losing all hope was freedom."
Can relate to this. Being completely focused as a runner is pretty monotonous to me. I’m training for Boston and while I’ve enjoyed the training, I really want to go skiing or mountain biking with friends at this point. I find that I get so focused on being fit for races that I miss out on other things in life.
One of these years I’ll stop racing and just do whatever I want. I still need some activity every day so will end up running forever, but with more balance. I think it’s the racing that makes me compulsive to train every day like it even matters what my results are in my mid 30s.
Running is like most endeavors, it can be a healthy outlet or a destructive obsession. It really depends on the mental frame of the individual.
I once put my value on how fast I could run a race. Now I realize that was all vain. However, I still enjoy running as an outlet. Nothing like running effortlessly through a curvy trail or seeing a sunrise while cresting a hill. Also, being fit is much better than a fat slob. Again not for the vanity but for how much better you feel just doing basic things.
My suggestion is to run a daily hour. But let the run come to you. Run as fast or slow as you like. Ignore the gps watch. Explore new places and look for opportunities to run with new people. Run to clear your mind from all the garbage in life. Jump in a race whenever you want. But enjoy the competition as a way to push you, not as an enemy to be beaten. It really is a lot more fun this way.
Great post!
I have a close friend on the west coast who is a D-1 coach and has logged many years as an elite competitive runner at every level (high school, college, and professional). This person has an unbelievable gift in communicating with runners at all levels, thus putting a sound perspective on a sport that is brutally difficult both physically and mentally.
Three simple truths:
1) You don't choose running, running chooses you. Understanding this is vital. Why do you run?
2) Run how you feel...Be honest with yourself and you'll be amazed.
3) Win some, Lose most. This is a reality whether you like it or not. Once you grasp this concept you'll begin to understand the "process" and truly begin to enjoy the sport.
Each of these truths require a "deep dive" to fully understand their meaning as it pertains to each individual. It takes a bit of time but is well worth it.
I haven't been here in a while since I quit my (2nd) college team last fall. I heard about Zane Robertson and came back to see what was being said about it. His story kinda hits close to home. Not the doping part, but the suicidal runner part. Some of the darkest times in my life have had running closely associated to them. I believe that competitive running is one of the more miserable athletic endeavours out there. The loneliness and the constant suffering and the monotony and the inability to be any bigger than a stick make it all really hard to justify pouring your soul into training to take 15 seconds off your 5k. And due to the nature of those who take up distance running, many of its struggling participants feel as if they have to keep doing it for fear of failure or disappointment. I went from making running my #1 priority to wanting absolutely nothing to do with it in about 2 years. Even when it was evident that running was hurting me way more than it was helping me, it was so hard to pull the plug and quit. But I finally did, and it was such an amazing decision. I gained 20 lbs and am stronger than ever, and have turned my attention back to a sport I had to put to the side in HS due to running. While I miss the constant competition that an NCAA sporting environment brings, I have found other ways to challenge myself and apply that drive I once had for running. If you are enjoying running, I'm not trying to discourage you. Keep full sending it and smash all your PRs and follow your dreams. But if you're like I was last year, just know that you can quit and it will be ok. Find some things that you enjoy to fill your time and replace running. Both me and my girlfriend left competitive running recently, and it has been amazing for both of us. There's more to life than track times.
Agree with this. My wife and I love Irish Dancing. It's a way to stay fit and build your core without putting it all into running. I still run 35-40 mpw but for general fitness. I'm in no shape to race anymore. I can't even run a 22-minute 5k right now.
If anything, I run to just stay in shape for Irish Dancing now!
Been around the sport for a few decades now, athlete, coach etc. Running is great but I have seen it reward some very destructive personality traits. OCD, paranoia, social isolation, eating disorders, the works.
There are great health benefits for sure, but often times I’ve seen running been as bad as drinking, addiction. It’s a pass time, not a life style. Enjoy the small things about the sport, the community, joy of training and racing.
You were right until the last sentence. The most challenging part for anyone trying to achieve a desirable physique is becoming lean and getting their body fat close to or below 10%. Runners already have they part down. Now all they have they have to do is gain 20ish pounds of muscle, which is actually quite easy if you're not running 100 MPW.
I cut back my mileage from 80-100mpw to 30-40mpw and added 2 full body workouts each week. Basically I bench press + dick around with the only "rule" being that I hit each body part at least once. I cannot believe how much better I look after a year. I gained 15lbs of muscle - I'm heavier but my body fat and waist line are exactly the same as they were before I started lifting. Had I hyper focused and actually followed a plan and good nutrition, I could've added 25lbs of muscle in that same time period.
I basically cut out most of the easy miles. Now I do 1 hard interval session, 1 hard tempo run, 1 moderate tempo run, and one easy long run of 8-10 miles, that's it. And some random 2-3 mile treadmill runs after lifting if I have time to kill.
Sad thing is my 5k time has actually gotten better. Of course I'd get crushed trying to run anything longer than a 10k LOL.
I love your username.
I've seen people do well on the Furman FIRST plans and other 3-day plans like this...it really is very specific to each person. 3 quality days and a LR are rock-solid if you are building strength elsewhere. Some I know do a 3-day like you but then bike or elliptical other days. It's a good way not to wear out either.
The key is to finding balance in doing what you love, what challenges you and taking time to rest from everything.
I know plenty of artists and actors who has this same sentiment. Defining themselves by how much success they see in their art, and when there's no return, depression sets in.
Same with lawyers and those in business. I've met some successful people in those businesses but the grind of working 80+ hour weeks with no recreation was a recipe for disaster.
You can be obsessed with something like running, business or art but you must find balance. And if you have terrible thoughts and are building depression or anxiety it's time to see a therapist. There's more going on than your hobby or career. And playing the comparison game on social media doesn't help.
This is why I don't post stats from every run, make a 6 part post about a marathon, etc, because those goals are personal. They help me grow and I like failing and trying again. I also have no problem with running 80-100 mile weeks training for a race, but not giving a damn when I take off two weeks to hiking or travel and enjoy myself.
Balance is key.
The hard part is just breaking the habit itself. I've been doing 10-12M LRs and today I was just like screw it, I'm doing an 8 progression at whatever pace comes to mind and it felt great--not worried about hitting a certain pace, but just letting it come to me. It is also safer on the body.
Social media is toxic--especially when people randomly get likes and comments and make it seem like their lives are perfect (they aren't!).
You were right until the last sentence. The most challenging part for anyone trying to achieve a desirable physique is becoming lean and getting their body fat close to or below 10%. Runners already have they part down. Now all they have they have to do is gain 20ish pounds of muscle, which is actually quite easy if you're not running 100 MPW.
I cut back my mileage from 80-100mpw to 30-40mpw and added 2 full body workouts each week. Basically I bench press + dick around with the only "rule" being that I hit each body part at least once. I cannot believe how much better I look after a year. I gained 15lbs of muscle - I'm heavier but my body fat and waist line are exactly the same as they were before I started lifting. Had I hyper focused and actually followed a plan and good nutrition, I could've added 25lbs of muscle in that same time period.
I basically cut out most of the easy miles. Now I do 1 hard interval session, 1 hard tempo run, 1 moderate tempo run, and one easy long run of 8-10 miles, that's it. And some random 2-3 mile treadmill runs after lifting if I have time to kill.
Sad thing is my 5k time has actually gotten better. Of course I'd get crushed trying to run anything longer than a 10k LOL.
what was your weight and 5k time before and after?
Running is like most endeavors, it can be a healthy outlet or a destructive obsession. It really depends on the mental frame of the individual.
I once put my value on how fast I could run a race. Now I realize that was all vain. However, I still enjoy running as an outlet. Nothing like running effortlessly through a curvy trail or seeing a sunrise while cresting a hill. Also, being fit is much better than a fat slob. Again not for the vanity but for how much better you feel just doing basic things.
My suggestion is to run a daily hour. But let the run come to you. Run as fast or slow as you like. Ignore the gps watch. Explore new places and look for opportunities to run with new people. Run to clear your mind from all the garbage in life. Jump in a race whenever you want. But enjoy the competition as a way to push you, not as an enemy to be beaten. It really is a lot more fun this way.
I agree with this, the problem is society rewards people who are the best at one thing rather than well rounded in many different aspects. However, it's mentally draining if you don't have the talent to be the best and try to make up for it with hard work. The most deflating part, the thing that usually puts the nail in the coffin, is when you see people that do have a balanced lifestyle performing better than you in the one activity you're completely invested in.
I injured my foot last October and never truly let it heal since I'm stubborn and keep running the second it feels better. Literally yesterday I came to grips with the fact that I'm going to have to quit running for at least 10-12 weeks. A podiatrist, physical therapist, xray, and MRI all confirmed it's not a serious issue requiring surgery, but does require an extended rest period.
Knowing me, that means I'll probably fall off the wagon and quit running for 1-2 years. I love running more than anything.