So I was a decent high school runner, PRs of 2:00, 4:30, 16:30. Im currently a sophomore at a middle of the road D1 school in the northeast. My freshman year was mostly filled with injuries but also a couple PRs in the mid distances.
Anyways, I basically just stopped going to practice last year at the start of outdoors for a few reasons. I wanted more free time, I liked smoking weed, I was doing really well in school but being on the team made things very stressful.
So i just totally stopped running in April and smoked nearly every single day until the end of the summer and now that I am back at school, I have been going to practice every day and running 15-30 mins by myself. In the time I haven't been running, I have put on 20 pounds (of mostly muscle because I began lifting seriously about a year ago)
Truthfully, I do not regret taking this hiatus from the sport. It was a much needed mental break. But now I am motivated to get back into running and not smoking, but I would appreciate any advice on keeping myself motivated because it has proven to be very difficult considering how much fitness in the 5 months I went without any running and a lot of smoke.
I just miss my old running days but i want to know if you guys think its worth it for me to drop these bad habits and put in the time to get back on the running scene.
thanks any responses are helpful