alcoholic runner

Never on the wagon wrote:

The things is that all of my nearest and dearest know about my lifestyle but they don't see it as a big problem.

I guess, I'm just viewed as a bit eccentric because of my teaching methods plus the fact that I run 90 odd miles per week.

They all just see it as another little quirk in my personality and maybe it isn't that bad. Maybe I just like drinking and as long as it doesn't impact my health then it should be fine.

I know one one hand how it sounds and I hear the advice about thin ice etc. which is why I will continue to monitor myself by check ups especially liver function. I've been drinking since the 70s when I used to seriously binge but now it's less intense but just everyday.

There are things to be concerned about beyond your health. For starters, you'd get fired tomorrow if your on-the-job drinking became known to the wrong people.

I obviously don't know you. But it's hard to believe that if everyone closest to you knew what you've described here they'd consider it just "another little quirk."

Going from binge drinking to daily drinking isn't necessarily a step in the right direction.

It's pretty apparent that this whole thread is a troll, which is unfortunate, because there are some solid responses that have been given so far should a person actually need a starting point. In the event this is not a troll, then I'd agree that there are things to be concerned about beyond health because the responses from the OP appear to be making a joke of the fact that there is a pretty big issue. That type of drinking catches up with a lot of people once 50 and 60 are crossed (not all, but a lot), and it catches up quickly. Probably best to make the decision to take hold of it while you can (assuming you actually can) before that decision is made for you. Can't believe I posted in a troll thread.

As I posed on page 1, I've decided to give up the booze because it really isn't helping anything and doesn't make me happy.

I've been in contact with some people online through an addiction help group and some people told me they started out thinking their drinking wasn't a big deal (two glasses of wine/night, for example), but it quickly morphed into a big deal (two bottles of wine/night). I was in contact with a woman last night who decided to get help when she claimed she was doing up to 20-30 shots of vodka per day. (Not sure if it's possible to drink that much, but that's what she claimed.) Regardless, it can be a slippery slope for some.

Again, sad to see that so many people are mistaken for trolls here.

I just wanted to share my alcohol consumption levels to see if there are others in this position who also run a lot and clearly there are.

I have never tried to make this sound like a positive thing or something to laugh about but merely to give an insight into the life of a professional, self-confessed alcoholic. This makes a change from the usual picture of the homeless guy on the street with a brown paper bag.

Thanks to those who have offered some solid advice and I am trying to look at options but I know it's a hard road in front if indeed I choose to do it.

Like I say, I keep swaying back to the fact that I've been at this for years and I'm still as fit as a fiddle.

I'm going for another check up next week with my doc who is aware of my situation.

If you admit you're an alcoholic, don't you want to change that? Serious question.

jamin wrote:

As a condition of my bail the judge has banned me from every bar in the state.

LOL, that is totally enforceable ;-)

Never on the wagon, how's it going today?

Never on the Wagon:

As a teacher, a runner, and an person in recovery for 3.5 years it is very clear to me you are a troll looking to get a kick out of sharing your dumb ass posts.

If you are indeed drinking at school- your a dumb ass for sure- there will be a day you get ratted out or your administrator will walk in.

If you are indeed real - you could be so a much better running without putting what is essentially poison in your body.

As a teacher- we have no place for idiots like you in our profession.

Anyway-

Best of luck Dumb Ass.

Well it appears there is something in the old saying that there's nothing worse than a reformed alcoholic judging by your comments, language & tone.

An opinion is one thing but your expression and absolute judgement is just so pious sounding.

My drinking never interferes with my job or indeed any other area of my life. If it did then I would certainly be obliged to stop. As for my teaching, then my record speaks for itself.

I am listening to people here with good, sound advice but won't be preached to by your type.

Can we get a Friday update pls? Thx.

West Coast Private Flights wrote:

Can we get a Friday update pls? Thx.

Yes, update please!

Ha, well if you really want an update about my life then fine by me.

So today I did another 12 miles before classes and then just the usual of getting in to teaching some good old fashioned biology and chemistry.

I've got a pretty great class this year so it's really a pleasure.

Ok, so onto the subject of booze, then again I had my first drink of the day about 10:30 as usual. This time I went for a German wheat beer, very nice and very cloudy.

Then I had a couple of beers at lunch with some colleagues - just a couple of Sam Adams which is always nice.

And now, I'm doing some marking with a beautiful dark Icelandic ale.

I'll be off in about an hour or so and will prob relax with my wife tonight and enjoy maybe some red but I do have some great Scotch in so that could well be on the cards.

We're going out to dinner tomorrow so will try and get in a 16 mile long run tomorrow before that.

Anyway, happy Friday all!

No you did get preached to by my type.

Good luck to. Hope it all goes well.

Holed up in your little room grading papers drinking in secret.

What a life.

Never on the wagon wrote:

then my usual first drink of the day around 10:30. If you really want to be specific, I drank a Sierra Nevada large IPA, just such a great all round IPA.

You can easily smell an IPA on someone's breath or maybe even pores. No way you could hide that in a closed classroom with students coming in later or when walking up to another teacher to have a conversation (certainly they all don't drink).

What are you doing? Rinsing with listerine after every drink?

I am a runner, and a teacher, who likes to drink. However, unlike the OP, I like to keep these activities separate from each other.

I drink to relax and unwind. I run to feel good and challenge my competitive self. I teach because it is a job, and responsibility, I take seriously.

As a teacher, I am responsible for more than educating students. I am responsible for their well being. I can't do that and relax at the same time. Too many possibilities for stupid s**t beyond my control to happen.

As a runner, I am at an age where too much booze has adverse performance effects. I hate running through a hangover, and I hate racing poorly because I didn't prepare for a race properly.

As a drinker, I love my buzz and I don't want anything to ruin it. I don't drink because I need to feel good. I drink because I like to feel good.

Read "Marty Liquori's Guide for The Elite Runner" where he talks about runners and drinking. He says most do indulge occasionally but then goes on to talk about an elite American who has just won two national titles but who told Marty that he was worried about becoming an alcoholic as he was drinking every day - and not just beer either! Fairly straightforward to work out the identity of the runner?

Never on the wagon, how's it going today?

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