Do you ever regret quitting running?

IMO, many - not all - ppl who quit running when young, lack some self-respect for themselves & their bodies. The moment there isn't a catered team to run on, or when we're past the age of being able to just jump out of bed & run, then it's quitting time. Gain 30 lbs & many don't care. Maybe a PhD should stop thinking after their Doctorate. I mean, they've "done their time". Right? (This does not pertain to ppl who've found exercise alternatives.)

I can't believe some of the responses on this thread.

Some of you are really gifted runners based on some of the times that have posted. I will never be able to touch those times and it pisses me off! My advice to you is to continue to run, even if it is 20 miles per week. What's that lame line? "Don't sacrifice the gift"? Whatever it is, seriously DON'T.

Running changed my life and I didn't really start "training" until I was 31. I was never fat, or really out of shape, but I never believed I'd be in the shape that I'm in right now five years ago. Seriously, a 4:54 mile at age 33? If someone were to tell me that back then I would have laughed at them.

Unspectacular times aside, I have a perfect bill of health and a very youthful appearance due to keeping in shape. The training you do leads to other healthy habits, especially eating right. You eat the right foods full well knowing that you have a hard workout ahead that needs the proper fueling. I have more energy than I ever did it's translated into my working profession.

I have friends who are in their thirties who look like absolute shit. I'm talking skinny-ass dudes in HS who are far over 200lbs now. (This could be some of you in the next ten years!) Years of drinking and eating like they did when they were 13 have destroyed their appearance. I get the sense they are pretty unhappy. Girls I once found stunning in college are now whales. It's not a pretty site.

Do yourselves a favor and keep at it to maintain your health. You can still run 40 mpw and have a great social life. So what if you are dropping 18:XX 5K's on the weekend, at least you're out there...

One danger you risk when you quit running is that your tendons will lose some of their fitness health. Your muscles will come back faster.

I took a year off in my 20's and then started back. It was amazing how fast my muscle and general running fitness returned...but various tendons were not so happy with the stress and pounding.

The person who recommends you keep your hand in and do a little running every week is right on the mark.

No. Running did as many detrimental things for my life as beneficial. Sure, I developed a high pain tolerance and great shape and conditioned my body for intense physical activity for the rest of my life and understood the benefit of diligent practice. But I spent all my time running and studying so I have poor social skills, never had a sex drive until I was 24, so the people part of my life suffers. These things take time to remedy. Overall, I'd say I broke even.

Sounds like you have to ask yourself if you really love running. Is it something you love to do on a daily basis? Do you enjoy the flying feeling you get when your doing a tempo? Do you enjoy just going out for a casual run without an Ipod? Are you going to miss that invincible feeling you get when running in the rain?

I think there is a difference between the love of competition, and actual love of running. If you hate every minute of every run then maybe running isn't for you. It sounds like you might be in a burnout patch in your life with it. I would take a some time off, and wait until you get that itch to run again.

Started running in 1974 to get in shape for HS football and haven't stopped. I love the sport and the people involved with it. It's funny seeing all the now non-runners replying. You'll all be back. There comes a point where hammering down mass quantities, picking up chicks or guys starts to take its own toll. I actually feel much better when my training is consistent than I do not training. And, I can run anytime. No need to get a group up for b-ball or soccer I can just head out the door, overall it takes less time than going to the gym or participating in a team sport.

redux wrote:

[quote]BRG/253 wrote:

Most of the people here are 30+ and STILL stuck on running even though what they do counts for nothing.

That's a ridiculous take on running. Why did you run in HS, I bet you weren't the state champion.. why even do it? Why run in college, I bet you couldn't sniff the NCAA Finals for any event.. why did you even put on a pair of spikes?

If that's your take then there's no point in doing any activity.

It's ridiculous to say running takes so much time. On the college team it does. But post-college, stretch, out the door for 30 mins. Not saying it's always easy after work. But still.

I never quit after college. Instead of focusing only on running I segued immediately into triathlons - which was great because, even though I was only running 30 mpw, I was easily the faster runner in my cohort and usually the fastest run split in the race. It was like play running without all the intensity of college. This breathed new life into my running as I was completely stagnated when my eligibility ran out.

Now into my 50’s, I'm still running 4 to 5 days a week and swimming 3 to 4 days a week. I only race maybe once or twice a year in either sport.

A vast majority of my running today is alone, early in the morning, with my dog. We chase coyotes, deer, rabbits, it's wonderful and a blessing that I can still get out there and move and I’m thankful for every time I run.

I still have a desire to race and compete but can’t stand doing it. I always feel like I’m suffering more than anyone else but the results don’t reflect that level of effort. Now, rather than race, I live vicariously through our pros and collegiates (I thank LRC for bringing me back into the sport).

So keep running, do whatever it takes, don’t get all hyper about preparation or races…just find a way to run. You’ll be a better man/woman for it.

The way I see it is that you will never match your college times, so don't even think about PBs post collegiately, unless you have a sponsor. And if you take away the accomplishments, well running kinda sucks. Therefore, I quit.

I still run 20-50 miles per week depending on how hectic work is but I "quit" about 8 years ago now. I missed it at first, and it sucks running road races at about a minute per mile slower than what I used to do but I found other ways to be competitive like setting new PR's pushing my son in the stroller.

The epiphany for me came while coaching at the Stanford Invite 5-6 years ago. Watching the college kids click off 59-60's for 3 laps then kicking reminded me of the amount of hard work I had to do to be at that level. Didn't miss it too much after that. Though I do wish I was able to go out and still run 5 flat tempos I'm content with hanging at 6 minutes now.

So keep running, do whatever it takes, don’t get all hyper about preparation or races…just find a way to run. You’ll be a better man/woman for it.

Minus the man part.

I think a lot of people quit altogether because they can't handle not being as fast as they used to be. I was not exceptionally fast in college but I was sick of the daily rigors of training and weekly races so I got out of shape very quickly after my last race. I kind of had an all or none mentality (still do).

I had a few brief comeback attempts in my my mid 20's but never lasted long trying to get back into shape. Eventually, I got to the point where I kind of accepted that I would never run like I did in high school or college so why bother doing anything?

This kind of went on for a few years, I was over 190 at just over 5'8" but eventually around my 30th birthday I knew I needed to make changes. I started going to the gym, lifting, and doing some time on the treadmill here and there. The same feeling of never being able to do what I used to do crept back but I was at peace with this and was ok with just getting in shape to be healthy.

Now, just past 34, still going to the gym and more recently dedicating more time to strictly running I am actually knocking on the doors of the modest PR's of when I was 19-20.

So, to answer the question at the time I didn't really regret quitting at the time or at least I let myself believe I did not regret quitting but I have seen the error of my ways and am trying to turn back the clock. I wish I had done this earlier but no time like the present!

Thankfully I never quit!! I really mean that. There were a several years I only ran 20 mpw, and about 6 months that I did less, but the poster that said don't sacrifice the gift was spot on. It is a gift that you can have the rest of your life. I'm 38, have been running for 25+ years and I thank the heavens that I run every day. I'm still putting in 80+ miles an week. I cannot believe the attitudes of people that will only run if they think they can be "good." What kind of attitude is that? A very poor one, imo.

You WILL gain 30 pounds if you quit. It's all fun and social when you are 20, but then when you are 30... take a look around... even former Olympians get fat. Running is a convenient, cheap way to keep in shape and if you desire, become the best that you can be.

Are you guys who want to trade running for social lives loners or something? Running could be very social. I made quite a few friends through running. They tend to be very reliable, loyal, supportive and inspiring. And many are very successful people who help me out on other aspects of life as well: a doctor gave me some medical advice, a CTO gave me job opportunities.

I never understand the attraction of "partying" as in drinking a lot. What kind of satisfaction does that provide? Seems like rather stupid, meaningless and potentially harmful to me. I am a female so I can not relate to the negative influence on your sex life. But as far as romance goes, I know quite a few couples met through running.

RunningSocialLife wrote:

Are you guys who want to trade running for social lives loners or something? Running could be very social. I made quite a few friends through running. They tend to be very reliable, loyal, supportive and inspiring. And many are very successful people who help me out on other aspects of life as well: a doctor gave me some medical advice, a CTO gave me job opportunities.

I never understand the attraction of "partying" as in drinking a lot. What kind of satisfaction does that provide? Seems like rather stupid, meaningless and potentially harmful to me. I am a female so I can not relate to the negative influence on your sex life. But as far as romance goes, I know quite a few couples met through running.

It has more to do with not being to stay out late because you have to get up in the morning to run, not going out for happy hour becaause you have to run ect. It has nothing to do with being a loner, but more to do with having friends that have interests outside of running. And quite frankly, alot of dudes just like to get laid, preferrably by a variety of women. This happens with increased frequency when you are out late drinking/partying. They may not be the quality relationships that you may have made through running, but it is pretty damn fun and satisfying in its own way.

RunningSocialLife wrote:

Are you guys who want to trade running for social lives loners or something? Running could be very social. I made quite a few friends through running. They tend to be very reliable, loyal, supportive and inspiring. And many are very successful people who help me out on other aspects of life as well: a doctor gave me some medical advice, a CTO gave me job opportunities.

I never understand the attraction of "partying" as in drinking a lot. What kind of satisfaction does that provide? Seems like rather stupid, meaningless and potentially harmful to me. I am a female so I can not relate to the negative influence on your sex life. But as far as romance goes, I know quite a few couples met through running.

+1.

Some of my fondest memories were when I lived in a neighborhood that I had about 10 friends (not just "running buddies" but actual friends) that ran and lived close by. I had 1-2 people to run with every single day of the week. Some of those runs did finish up with a beer on the balcony or a drink in the bar. Running with a friend is pretty much the best way you could spend an hour.

One difference with many here posting is that I never once thought that I sacrificed anything for running. I had dates, I had friends, I still went out, etc.

Fare enough. Again, as a female I can not really relate. If we just want to "get laid by a variety of guys", it is not that hard at all, and some ladies even make $$$ doing so.

I just like running because it makes me feel so alive, which shallow "hookups" never does. But hey I am not a guy, guess guys are just different. Also I am a bit older and have "been there done that", maybe you young guys simply have to experience for yourself to see what you really like. Best of luck either way.

It's not that hard to do both. I don't have kids or anything, but I can run 70 miles a week and still get hammered and stay out til 3am on weekends.