Hobby or Obsession?

shels4ever

It just occurred to me the other day when the wife mentioned it . Over the last 3-4 months my running has taken over my life . my weeks / months are now planned around racing training . At what point does this become an obsession for someone who will never run in an Olympics and is just running for personal goals.

I know in the past i was the same for the age of 14-18 I did nothing but running and after a few years I wasn't bad, but would never have been top class but held my own in training with some very very good guy.


Now that I've been back my whole day is focused around my training form the food I eat, Footwear I wear to work , I've even change my chair in work as i felt it was causing problems with my hamstrings.

So at what stage does this become an obsession ...

With every run I can feel I'm getting better and becoming more and more focused on my goals, today was my best run of the year, went out for an easy 5 but met up with someone en route and ended up running a 41 min 5 mile on grass.. faster then my best race this year.

All in all I can say that i'm totally hooked again, and can see the sub 30 5mile in the distance...

suckslikeafox

shels4ever wrote: »

All in all I can say that i'm totally hooked again, and can see the sub 30 5mile in the distance...

Go for it man, thats something to be proud of. As long as you dont let it affect your marriage and work then its no harm at all

TheRoadRunner

yep as long as it doesn't interfere it is a good obsession.

It beats sitting on a bar stool all weekend watching second rate football and its a lot cheaper also !

Racing Flat

Noel Carroll wrote a great article about this which they gave out as a leaflet/little bookelt with the Irish runner once IIRC, describing all that you're saying, how you start running then you start thinking about running as well as running and then it spirals.

Dan_85

Just started running and getting involved in clubs and the like. It's amazing how fast I've become addicted to running I spent hours scouring the net at night looking for races and results and just reading about other Irish athletes.

Its funny I only did a fun run or two and I'm totally hooked. I really want to take it to the next level but don't exactly know where to go from here. I like the 10km runs and I'd like to get competing in these racing not just as a fun run.

As for interference in my personal life I'm just blessed to have a girlfriend who is interested in fitness almost as much as me.

One last thing has anyone ever had this happen where they go for a good hard training session and wake up during the night raving to go for a run... or am I just weird.

Let me know :-D

RoyMcC

Dan - you're just weird. Join the club. I am no more suited to running than a fish to a bicycle. But it's mad how it gets to you and becomes one of the most important parts of your life.

But there are far worse obsessions out there, so go for it. As to progressing, just read up on all the advice there is out there and choose the bits that suit your lifestyle!

Good luck, see you on the road.

hunnymonster

Oxford English Dictionary wrote:

Obsession: An idea, image, or influence which continually fills or troubles the mind; a compulsive interest or preoccupation; the fact or state of being troubled or preoccupied in this way.

Continually fills the mind .... yep
compulsive interest .... yep
preoccupied .... yep

sobriquet

+1

The canteen in my building is communal amongst all the offices, so you'd meet new people wandering around now and again. Last week I was only exchanging pleasantries with another office worker when I mentioned running (in relation to the crap weather) and all of a sudden he was completely animated and before we know it we're deep in conversation - he's another runner. It was one of those funny moments.

I still don't think I'm a 'natural' runner, that it's not what I'm built for, but even still, I'm hooked. Especially this summer, seeing the gains that are possible with some specific training. Wouldn't give it up now for anything.

run_Forrest_run

I certainly wouldn't say I'm obsessed with running but given all the hobbies I've had over the years running is the one that has stayed with me while all the others are distant 'phases'!

What I like about running is that it's so accessible and inexpensive. I was in Kerry for the weekend with the family and it was so easy just to grab the runners and do a nice 5 miler on Fermoyle Strand and be back and refreshed within the hour.

Even though I enjoy running once I'm actually out on a run but I still often find myself sitting at home after work all tired and battling with myself to get up and go for a run...the times that I don't I end up feeling guilty and lazy

Stupid_Private

run_Forrest_run wrote: »

What I like about running is that it's so accessible and inexpensive.

inexpensive?? My god man think of all the shoes... €100+ every 3 months or so for a new pair of training shoes... then there's racing flats, XC spikes, track spikes... I nearly need to get a spare room just to house them all

robinph

The elder brothers and father were always doing a lot of running when I was growing up and I kind of tagged along occasionally, but with no where near the same level of talent or motivation and I then pretty much gave up doing anything running related 10 or so years ago. Was just starting to get back runing again a couple of year ago but not really seriously, but then I busted my knee skiing last year and whilst still with my leg in a cast was challenged to the Adidas 5mile race by some friends from work. I beat them though.

Certainly not at the obsession level but think I am a bit more motivated to keep a bit fitter generally now since I realised that I'm not immortal anymore, also hoping to actually do a decent attempt at a marathon this year to make up for my previous extremly poor showings.

superjosh9

sobriquet wrote: »

+1

The canteen in my building is communal amongst all the offices, so you'd meet new people wandering around now and again. Last week I was only exchanging pleasantries with another office worker when I mentioned running (in relation to the crap weather) and all of a sudden he was completely animated and before we know it we're deep in conversation - he's another runner...

lol, Sounds like Fight Club...

Yeh, I think the running can be expensive. I've pretty much given up races because, when you factor in travelling etc., they are pretty hard going on the wallet - and that clocks up after a while.

Dunno about you guys, but I go running 3/4 times a week and no matter what pace or distance, I'm always asking myself, 'why am I doing this? whyyyy?!?!' - such is how wrecked I feel. And yet, I'll be out two days later asking the same thing...

I like running because there is no ref and no team-mates to let you down, and if you use a watch, you can see tangible improvements.

Ger the man

superjosh9 wrote: »

lol, Sounds like Fight Club...

Yeh, I think the running can be expensive. I've pretty much given up races because, when you factor in travelling etc., they are pretty hard going on the wallet - and that clocks up after a while.

Dunno about you guys, but I go running 3/4 times a week and no matter what pace or distance, I'm always asking myself, 'why am I doing this? whyyyy?!?!' - such is how wrecked I feel. And yet, I'll be out two days later asking the same thing...

I like running because there is no ref and no team-mates to let you down, and if you use a watch, you can see tangible improvements.

+1 to this. I was never mad on team sports either, too much politics, ego maniacs and general BS. People I know have commented that the sports I was interested in were for loners (cycling and running). Running is probably the most natural exercise your body can do.

run_Forrest_run

Stupid_Private wrote: »

inexpensive?? My god man think of all the shoes... €100+ every 3 months or so for a new pair of training shoes... then there's racing flats, XC spikes, track spikes... I nearly need to get a spare room just to house them all

well I only use Kayano shoes and I typically buy a pair every 6-9 months so really that is quite cheap when you look at other hobbies like golf or other club activities which requires membership fees etc.

apart from tiddlywinks I still believe running is one of the cheaper sports out there.

Dan_85

If you haven't seen this on youtube yet I suggest you see it, Nike+, Edward norton and running. Definately a fight club moment!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIaWg-ETtew

I was running last night and ran out to the local club and ran with them and then ran home it totalled 11 miles the furthest I've ran to date and I found it handy enough bar the one bad stitch. Is it just me or is runnig a masochistic obsession cause when its all over I look back and think wow that was some good suffering I put in today...

MrJones

Running is not that expensive as a hobby, well worth spending money on it when you consider a night out can cost u anything up to 100 euros.
Agree totally, its geat because you can just put on the runners and head off wit the ipod. No one to blame but yourself if you have a bad race.
I think if you are questioning yourself that much about why your running then you need to set goals or do more races. You will get motivation from wanting to improve and aiming towards the next race.

superjosh9 wrote: »

lol, Sounds like Fight Club...

Yeh, I think the running can be expensive. I've pretty much given up races because, when you factor in travelling etc., they are pretty hard going on the wallet - and that clocks up after a while.

Dunno about you guys, but I go running 3/4 times a week and no matter what pace or distance, I'm always asking myself, 'why am I doing this? whyyyy?!?!' - such is how wrecked I feel. And yet, I'll be out two days later asking the same thing...

I like running because there is no ref and no team-mates to let you down, and if you use a watch, you can see tangible improvements.

shels4ever

Well i'm not alone here now, j8ust back form a weeks hols and only managed 2 runs, but needed the rest too after a few hard months training. Can't wait to get back into training now tomorrow, and get a good winters training done.