How would your life be different if you never started running?

I'd probably have learned to play more musical instruments and maybe learned an extra language. On the other hand, my only running claim to fame is that the most voluptuous woman ever to qualify for he Olympic Marathon Trials was my girlfriend for awhile, and there's no way that would have happened if I hadn't been a runner myself.

You dated Kara?

I would still be active, but lift more. I would be more social. I would be a bit overweight. I think I would be more depressed and anxious. Running is such an amazing mental boost, and I’m grateful to be able to run.

I would be really fat like my parents and siblings

I would have just taken up more biking or end up doing the Ironman I was thinking of doing. Now I always stop doing any crazy biking swimming in favor of my running plan.

Most likely would be another 10lbs heavier and would have continued to buy crap running shoes before actually understanding what how a real running shoe feels. Have become a shoe review whore

All of this since taking up running in earnest summer 2018 at age 37

And last of all I prob would have never hear of this god for shaken running website...

If I didn't run, my father, who forced me to run, and beat me constantly for not performing to his expectations and was a terrific source of abuse, perhaps would have abandoned the family earlier- a good thing - and perhaps my mother would have eschewed drug and alcohol addiction and the loss of a small home. At one time my father was well known in track circles before moving on to business - a clear terror to me. I am not sure about life and career- a 4:08 high school miler, I was statistically a better student than a runner, and my professional career has borne this out. While I should be grateful for my athletic scholarship at a great school, I would have been happier had I only been a diligent and non- distracted student. I was a social outcast given my background but not running would have helped there too. My father always referred to me as dumb, fat and lazy - with a personality like my mother - and that was the vision of myself both in athletics and otherwise until being very successful in professional school. As I said, in the end no complaints, as I have done exceedingly well in my career, sending two daughters to the Ivy League (overrated, but i wanted them to choose what they wanted), and lots of material success with zero debts to my name and perhaps even reasonable wealth). But running recalls dismal memories, and I cant help but think I would have been happier without it. I envy those who chose to run if their own accord and liked it.

I'd have not wasted hours upon hours on this stupid board hahaha

Hhhbgh wrote:

I would be really fat like my parents and siblings

+1 ...same with my family.

Also, Running gave me a daily discipline at working toward a goal that I didn't have anywhere else starting in H.S., and an outlet for pent up energy/anger. If I hadn't found it, or something else with similar positive benefits, I likely would have been fat, miserable, working at the post office and a big drinker, and probably still living in the old home town.

Pretty much everything positive in my life has grown from my running. Met my wife at a race, jobs/career a direct outgrowth of relationships formed through running, mental and physical health are directly affected every day by running, many in my social circle are there because of running. So I really have no idea where I'd be without running, but I can't imagine it would be any better than where I am now. I suppose I'm pretty fortunate.

At risk of sounding melodramatic, I think my life would have been worse.

For one thing, it would mean I would only really have one hobby instead of two, which would be a shame.

I would also have been far, far less fit. It's possible I might have played another sport, but I doubt it. I was the kid with far less ability in just about all sports - I'm dyspraxic, and was embarrassingly bad at just about anything that required coordination. I didn't hate sports, but I didn't enjoy them until I began running . An unexpected side effect of running has been to make me far, far better at almost every other sport (combined with my coordination still being below average, but significantly improving). This is a big confidence boost - I can run rings around people on the soccer field now, simply because they are less fit than me. I love the feeling of being fit, and if it wasn't for running, I think I'd be a feeble, uncoordinated specimen now. I might not have been overweight - I've always been fairly disciplined - but I wouldn't be healthy.

I also might not have been so close to my Dad. We would still undoubtedly have been friends - he's who I look up to, and he's hilarious - but we first had a real interest in common when he began running with me at age 11. We still talk about running all the time, only it's rowing for him now due to injury. As a digression, I think it would never had occurred for me to run if he wasn't a runner, so for me, this question could just as easily be "what if your dad wasn't a runner?" rather than "what if you had never ran?" I treasure this common interest, and if I ever have children, I will take them running with me.

This is perhaps more nebulous, but I think I might not have achieved the academic results, and other results, I have without the grinding mentality running gave me. Running is also just about the best way to shake off the shackles of work - there's something about running after work to clear your head, instead of simply sitting and doing something else.

Running changed my life for the better. I love it, and, injury permitting, I know it will be a lifelong hobby. Great question.

Signed - an 18:29 jogger looking to run a lot and keep enjoying the ride.

High school would have been a lot more boring. I'd probably be a much less confident, socially developed person with a more bland personality. Choosing to do cross country my freshman year was one of the best decision I've ever made. The only downside was it led to me to finding this forum. This is the best, and worst, community I'm apart of. Definitely the most entertaining...

I would have been a Cross Fitter and ruined my shoulders using poor technique. Probably. Or ruined a vital organ or two drinking more. Or been better at tennis or golf or both.

I started running at age 10 1969 . Had my best running years 1987- 1988 when I ran my PR:s 14:20/ 29:51 at 5K/ 10 K .

If I hadn't been a runner I had never get that running experience I have today to help all levels of runners to reach their running dreams and limits. Also very important is that running gave me very good health and nice traveling to different countries .

I would not have attended the college I attended. I would not have met my wife and my kids would not exist in their current form.

I have no reason to live except for running. I've tried to find other stuff (particularly a girlfriend) but I simply can't. Running well makes life bearable. But when it goes awfully, as it often does (injuries) my life is pure misery.

Would I have found a better passion or something else to live for if not for running? I doubt it.

Successful.

Running was a form therapy for me during my formative years. I used it to deal with and get away from my f-ed up family life and the effects that had on me. Probably would have resorted to substance abuse without it.

I would not be on letsrun.com all the time.

Life would be great.

Star wrote:

I spent too much time chasing a dream and the OTQ while my university peers started working seriously. That five year span made a huge difference in our respective life stations. We're all middle aged now and no one gives a crap how fast you now run a 5K. They have more money and nicer things.

I have some great memories, good friends, and saw some cool places as an athlete. In hindsight, it wasn't worth it.

To paraphrase, you wish you could trade your self described good running memories and friendships for "nicer things" and more money.

You are right, no one cares, or can even comprehend a 13:30 5k PR; but it's sad you feel you need nice clothes and a fancy car to impress people.