Does anyone else think running may have f*** up their life?

nothings worth losing all that...even running.

dmal wrote:

I have been a "die-hard" runner since I was 18 years old. I am now 35. Because of my dependence on running I have lost friends, jobs, a wife, physical health, and mental health. Running used to be a friend. Now, I feel depressed and lonely. Anyone else?

I know it's too late to tell you this now, but no one thing should ever be that important in your life.

Not your job, not running, not any hobby, not any woman.

Luckily you're only 35, you can still get things back together. Just try to practice some moderation.

Shit man!! Me Too. But don't be so hard on yourself. That was a stage of life. You did what you could in the running realm. Now its onto the next stage. It wasn't a mistake or worng to have been so dedicated then. But now, what are you gonna do with what you have learned? My running addiction was from 14 to 27 y.o. Then I saw the light. I just eased it up a bit and used all that ability to "focus" that running cultivates to do something for others. I teach middle school, coach MS/HS CC and just try to share some of those lessons learned on the road. I still love to hammer the miles but now it has a perspective that it never had before. I grew from those obsessive years and now its time to turn the page. No regrets.

I'm 16 and horribly addicted to running, base phases are like 12-15mpd and my parents and friends think i'm insane, i think i'm losing it too

For a lot of running-junkie people posting on here and elsewhere (myself included), running is a crutch that gets you through the daily grind, but doesn't necessarily help you get where you need to be in life in the long run (no pun intended).

don't run 12-15 miles per day when you're 16 years old...that'll ruin you. Gerry Lindgren is living proof...a hell of a runner in his time, but obviously has issues.

I have been a "die hard" running fanatic all of my life. My college coach said that I came alive only when the subject was running. I have had great training buddies and met many many very long time friends through running. (I was able to have a very satisfactory career in the business world aside from running. That is over.) I have been to 6 Olympics and 2 World Track and Field Championships and greatly enjoyed them while meeting people and seeing some of the world. Dot no take your running so seriously. Concetrate on enjoying it and realize that what will be will be. If you can not then turn to something that does give you satisfaction. You are young. Decide what will make you happy and do it. I am still enjoying being wrapped up in distance running at age 68 and am training to complete another marathon. It is very helthful and fun. I am in no hurry.

Dear Dmal.

You are only 35! If you up your mileage now and make sure you are doing two a days for the next 5 years, then you will be awesome when you become a masters runner at 40.

Don't even think about slowing down. Now get your shoes on and get back out there!

Jed

I know words and cliches can not offer much support, and im pretty sure you have heard it all before. you can see the problem clearly yourself.so you dont need any advice. Like another poster said, you are only 35..carpe diem buddy. its time you lived your life the way you want, if u want to run so be it...if not, to hell with it. Running is and should only be a bridge to help us get over the depths and dispair of life,(unless we are competing at the highest level) dont let that bridge collapse. Keep it real.

Many runners have obsessive-compulsive personalities. Think about it: why do we get up before dawn in the middle of winter when it's 20 below zero out to log 5-7 miles in the snow? Cleary, you have placed running before everything else in your life.

Running probably saved my life. It was my "fix" after I quit a vicious addiction to smack. I still have problems with getting obsessed about things (it sounds like you do, too). I haven't got it all figured out, but the key is to moderate. Recognize the traits in your behavior that lead to problems and when they start to pop up, back off of whatever it is you are doing.

on one side it can be a kind of running away instead of facing problems but on the other side its way better than being a videogame junkie or a star trek fanatic.

dmal,

First of all, let me say - DON'T BE SO HARD ON YOURSELF!

Was it the running that caused the problems you mentioned? Perhaps, but my guess is that if it weren't for running that maybe you would have found other ways to mess up those things - and I'm not saying that to be mean. Usually an addict (and yes, I'm labeling you an addict - addicted to running) to one thing would turn to another thing immediately if the first thing were removed.

There must be balance in one's life. Too much of a good thing is a bad thing as they say.

The GOOD in all this is that you realize that you spent too much time on one activity and it has cost you dearly. At 35, you are not too old to get your life back in order. There are plenty of hot women in your age range that would like to hook up again.

Just as you set a plan for training for a race, set a plan for training for the rest of your life. Maybe you WANT a job that is very flexible. Not everyone is cut out to work 40 hours a week. If so, find a way to make it working 20 hours per week. Let the body heal - take some time off from the things (running?) that were making it not strong.

If you want friends, go find them.

If you want a new wife, go find her.

If you want a better or different job, go get it.

Thank GOD you are in a country were you can use a computer and run whenever you want. Think how much better your life is than that of MANY people around the world.

At 35 and with the opportunities affored you, the world is your bitch. Go smack her around a little bit.

Good luck brother!

I think it does mess everything up. It makes people social morons, and keeps you from enjoying life because you are always "thinking about the next run" and "planning your day around the run".

I love running but it is like having a baby and a high maintenance girlfriend all rolled into one.

Most people don't realize this until they take a break. Then its like DUH! It is a super high maintenance blackhole.

junior wrote:

Running is and should only be a bridge to help us get over the depths and dispair of life,(unless we are competing at the highest level) dont let that bridge collapse.

junior, that's a great bit of well stated insight.

moanfreare wrote:

don't run 12-15 miles per day when you're 16 years old...that'll ruin you. Gerry Lindgren is living proof...a hell of a runner in his time, but obviously has issues.

Another example is Haile Gebrselassie. What a nutcase!

Dudes, it is all about balance and once you prioritize running and put it behind more important priorities like friends and family then you realize that recovery becomes much easier and running become more enjoyable....stress management is extremely important to recovery especially when you get older.

I have read some wise and kind words from you guys. Thanks. This is kind of like an on-line support group.

Sounds like you have some issues and running has been your way to cope. I'm sure running has played a huge role in forming your identity and probably gives you a sense of stability and control. Without running you most likely feel lost, confused and out of sorts..... I've been a runner for 30 years and although I would'nt say running has screwed up my life, I would say, at times, it's been isolating and has greatly influenced many chioces I've made. There have been long phases where I was compulsive and overly focused on training and racing. There have been other times when I could pull back the reigns a bit and live a more balanced life. Running has been a great way for me to deal with bouts of anxiety and depression. I think for a large part of my life this has been a big motivating factor. Running is kind of like Prozac for me. In this regard it can become somewhat like an addictive drug. Running changes our bodys chemistry in may ways. There's nothing like the clean high you feel after a race or hard workout. For some personality types this can be very addictive. The question is, " When is an a addiction positive and when is it negative". The obvious answer is that moderation and balance is key. Easy to say, but when your identity and mental state rely on a daily 6 mile run just to feel normal, it can be hard to do.... I would challnge you to take a good hard look at your life, what you've done, who you are etc. and try to seek a balance. Open yourself to new things. Try not to be compulsive. Confide in family and friends. Do'nt be too proud to seek professional help. Be open to new things. Try to develop new interests. You do'nt have to give up running, just adjust the role that it plays in your life.... Take Care

dmal wrote:

I have been a "die-hard" runner since I was 18 years old. I am now 35. Because of my dependence on running I have lost friends, jobs, a wife, physical health, and mental health. Running used to be a friend. Now, I feel depressed and lonely. Anyone else?

Dude, go for a run and it'll all be much better. You're welcome.