Thinking of quitting running-help

Since you mentioned that other activities aren't as enjoyable as they used to be you may be depressed

I’ve considered that possibility, but I’m not sure if that’s the full extent of the issues. I feel really detached from reality. Like things that happen around me just don’t feel real.

You should definitely go see a doctor then.

It is best to seek medical help

I’ve been seeing a psychologist but I’m not sure how much that’s helped over the past few months. I always feel like I’m being “too dramatic” when I’m looking for help from real people per say. It’s easier to say how I feel over a platform like this.

Considering this forum is rife with social miscreants, trolls, racist nut jobs, and uneducated morons who offer horrible advice, seek guidance/support from literally anywhere other than here.

Quit one or the other next year and see what happens. If you like track more than XC, quit XC. If you like XC more than track, quit track.

You're probably overloaded with stuff to do.

I felt the same way when I was in XC and Track... I had fun, but eh, it was just something else to do. Almost quit my last year of XC because of politics and stupidity on my team.

The more I look back on those times, the more I wish I could've, should've, would've... too late now.

Now I just run, because I like it and it's "my time". I quit doing road races years ago, only because it was expensive, didn't get much joy from it, and lastly, I frankly don't care how fast I run or what my times are anymore. Plus, I don't agree with where "my" money goes to these events. I've had some hard times in my life with loved ones, and trying to get a cancer fundraiser or anything like that, forget it no one wanted to help me. It's all politico propaganda nonsense...

You can easily live the running lifestyle and not run XC or track. If you wanted to compete -- it's called unattached running... some of the best run unattached for a number of reasons.

I've run unattached collegiate XC and track meets before.

look elsewhere for guidance/support wrote:

Considering this forum is rife with social miscreants, trolls, racist nut jobs, and uneducated morons who offer horrible advice, seek guidance/support from literally anywhere other than here.

There are 1000x more race baiters than actual racists here on this site and also in this country.

It sounds like you are depressed. I don't think running is the problem unless its always been something you haven't enjoyed perse. Talk to a counselor, maybe try exploring, finding new places to run.

Joshua Medcalf, look him up.,

You shouldn't define success by how fast or how many wins you get. Define it by how well you use what you have. Also your happiness shouldn't be determined by your circumstances. Just look up Joshua Medcalf on youtube.

Don't RACE !! Just run and enjoy other parts of your life. Sometimes we put too much pressure on our selves.

yeah i totally agree the problem you have seems much bigger than running

Looks like I’m probably going to be done running for outdoors. Anyone have any other suggestions?

John Utah wrote:

look elsewhere for guidance/support wrote:

Considering this forum is rife with social miscreants, trolls, racist nut jobs, and uneducated morons who offer horrible advice, seek guidance/support from literally anywhere other than here.

There are 1000x more race baiters than actual racists here on this site and also in this country.

Statistics for this asinine claim?

Officially decided to be done running for the outdoor season. I'm still looking for help and or suggestions from anyone

your problems have nothing to do with running, if anything you should keep doing at least something aerobic while managing your injury [bike? elliptical? occasional treadmill?swim?], as it will at least improve your mental state somewhat which is the actual issue here

running [or any sport/activity] can become an obsession/addiction tho but obviously that isnt the case for you any longer

still continue to workout some, but running has nothing to do with your problem(s)

Always looking for help wrote:

Officially decided to be done running for the outdoor season. I'm still looking for help and or suggestions from anyone

If you dont have one or both, grab a road bike and/or a mtn bike and immerse yourself for a few months in them. You'll take to either fitness wise right away. If you have the trails to ride nearby, mountain biking can be so fun and challenging it becomes a new addiction, which may sound counter to your current state but actually a new spark is at least one way to try and kick your funk. Running will come back to you when you're ready.

....Of course, if that doesn't do it, go and find a girl who is both cool and a nymphomaniac. That should help.

Switchover wrote:

Always looking for help wrote:

Officially decided to be done running for the outdoor season. I'm still looking for help and or suggestions from anyone

If you dont have one or both, grab a road bike and/or a mtn bike and immerse yourself for a few months in them. You'll take to either fitness wise right away. If you have the trails to ride nearby, mountain biking can be so fun and challenging it becomes a new addiction, which may sound counter to your current state but actually a new spark is at least one way to try and kick your funk. Running will come back to you when you're ready.

....Of course, if that doesn't do it, go and find a girl who is both cool and a nymphomaniac. That should help.

This is good advice. mtn biking is tons of fun, you don't need a $5k bike to do it either, i got into it on a $300 hard tail from a sporting goods store. Its fun either way. Its different in that you can make it as chill or as aggressive as you want. You can go for an easy ride and not even break a sweat, you can ride hard for hours if you want to, or if you wan the adrenaline rush, bombing down a rocky single track will give it to you every time.

Bottom line is, life is short, if you don't enjoy running anymore, find something else to do. You'll get a bunch of reasons from people on here on why you should "push through", but they don't make sense. No offense, but you're not going to the olympics, running shouldn't dominate your existence unless you are 100% on board. There's no better way to burn yourself out on running than to try to force it.

However, it does sound like you're depressed, you're exhibiting classic signs. If your current psychologist isn't helping, find another one. Keep in mind that you're in a funk now, but it will pass with time, so hang in there and just keep working at it.