Obsession with running...a bad thing?

misty floyd

The injury support thread has made me think. I’ve been doing some thinking about how obsessed I get with my running. A lot of us these type of things, (well I do):

• Going out for a run at 10pm on a Sunday night to ‘round up’ your mileage to a 40m/50m etc week.
• Feeling cranky if you bailed out of a last rep because you were tired, even though you ran a long run the day before.
• Dreaming about training.
• Always thinking about training.
• Getting a text from friends organizing a weekend away and getting annoyed and then wondering how you’ll jig your training around it.
• Going on holiday and doing 400’s just to maintain fitness/progress (I did this and tore my bloody achillies tendon). Stupid.

We take it so serious. I’m just ranting really but thought this might spark a conversation. Do you think you take it too serious and if you do, how do you snap yourself out of it? How do you make those large improvements without doing your head in and putting lots of pressure on yourself? I don't have a problem by the way

My name is Misty Floyd and I’m addicted to running.

Seres

there was a similar thread a while back called Runaholic ,had a similar discussion , im sure someone will root it out and post the link (hint hint )
I'm havin problems at the moment with my calf , back , hamstring but i havent considered at all not making the start line of my target race regardless of what the physio tells me today !!

Krusty_Clown

misty floyd wrote: »

[*]Feeling cranky if you bailed out of a last rep because you were tired, even though you ran a long run the day before.

Do what'now? Sorry, I don't understand.

Brianderunner

With you all the way on this one Misty, some of my extreme ones are;

- telling your workmates that your flying to ireland for the weekend to avoid the Friday drinking session so you can do your tempo session.
- inside in work jotting down training plans for the next few weeks/months on post it notes, wondering how on earth your gonna fit in a 50+ mile week in 2 months time
- feeling that your world is coming to an end if you pick up an injury
- not going a minute without thinking about running (sad but true)
- using all your work holidays to run marathons/other races, scheduling your week off in August to coincide with your peak mileage week for Berlin and the world athletics champs instead of a real holiday

i could go on but your all appalled by now i'd say

TFBubendorfer

I see running as a positive addiction. It may be addictive and I've been called an idiot for running-related stuff on more than one occasion (and perfectly justified it was too), but it stops me from descending into negative addiction.

Running quarter mile repeats is by far preferable to putting various kinds of poisonous chemicals into your body.

Compulsive running out there in the rain on your own is better than compulsive behaviour where it impacts on others.

I better stop here. I'm already coming across like a nut case.

tHE vAGGABOND

On another forum here you all may indeed get laughed at, but here most of us can identify what your thinking about..

My current fav's are:

On Holiday in Barcelona, spending a few hours convincing kids they want to go to the beach, so you can get a lift to run along the seafront.

Waking up in middle of night, and first thought in your head is not about getting back to sleep, is if its too early to get up and get your run done

Paying 60 to visit a physio, cos you have the worlds smallest pain, on the off chance it may be serious as you dont want your milage intrupted 3 months away from your goal race

Your free "relax" time involves reading books and blogs about running, and watching running on TV

RacoonQueen

I don't do any of these things. You're all weird.

RubyK

While the below are not extreme, they are things I never did before taking up this obsession hobby

Finding myself obsessed with watching/checking for weather updates, especially coming up to a goal race.

Giving up my love of heels, for flats (something I, nor anybody who knows me, ever thought I'd ever do).

When injured, in the throws of self pity, sometimes thinking " I'm sorry I ever took up this running lark " as not being able to run feels like torture.

On returning from injury, that first 1 mile run you get to do, pain-free, feels like a race pb

tunguska

misty floyd wrote: »

Getting a text from friends organizing a weekend away and getting annoyed and then wondering how you’ll jig your training around it.

Was this thread born out of a weekend of drunken debauchery that recently took place in the wicklow mountains? Even Davey D sat that one out..........
Its all relative really. I think the problem lies in comparing your own life to the lives of others. If we lived in a world where most of the population ran and trained like it was very important to them then you wouldnt think twice about the things you do. Its not obsession its just a different way of life.

misty floyd

TFBubendorfer wrote: »

I see running as a positive addiction. It may be addictive and I've been called an idiot for running-related stuff on more than one occasion (and perfectly justified it was too), but it stops me from descending into negative addiction.

Running quarter mile repeats is by far preferable to putting various kinds of poisonous chemicals into your body.

Compulsive running out there in the rain on your own is better than compulsive behaviour where it impacts on others.

I better stop here. I'm already coming across like a nut case.

A positive addiction, that's a good way of putting it. I do feel it does impact others though. You should see the state of our house at the moment. My wife bought tester paint pots and splodged them on the walls. Its going to be like that until after DCM.....at least

Anyway, I think there is a certain level of madness with most runners*. It is a bit mad to run around a track until you feel sick or run marathons or ultras.

*EDIT: example, have you seen Ciaron O Lionard's hair do?

misty floyd

tunguska wrote: »

Was this thread born out of a weekend of drunken debauchery that recently took place in the wicklow mountains? Even Davey D sat that one out..........
Its all relative really. I think the problem lies in comparing your own life to the lives of others. If we lived in a world where most of the population ran and trained like it was very important to them then you wouldnt think twice about the things you do. Its not obsession its just a different way of life.

Well, it was a bit of a mad one alright but I've been thinking about it for a while. Thats why I've stopped using a log here on boards. Its another distraction, more time to think about running when there are lots of other things to be doing. I found it great to have a log, check in on others and a good sence of support sometimes but you end up reading tons of logs and before you know it you've spent an hour thinking about running instead of doing other constructive things.

You hit the nail on the head there about comparing lives to others. That's interesting.

Just to explain myself, I think I'm waffling a bit, I'm talking about the pressure we put on ourselves. It's nuts how frustrated people get when injured, for example. I know a guy that does a couple of runs a week, never really gets stuck into any structure and finds it weird that I can sometimes take it so seriously. He's right but were is the fun in never improving.

AntiVirus

And my girlfriend thought I was bad going out running in the rain! I should show her this thread, lol

RayCun

misty floyd wrote: »

you end up reading tons of logs and before you know it you've spent an hour thinking about running instead of doing other constructive things.

well, yeah. are you not posting from work?

Ruu_Old

Running in the sub zero temperatures in winter (dodging snow ploughs too!). Mapping your run around your holiday location (hotel or whatever) before making any travel arrangements.

brownian

misty floyd wrote: »

A positive addiction, that's a good way of putting it. I do feel it does impact others though. You should see the state of our house at the moment. My wife bought tester paint pots and splodged them on the walls. Its going to be like that until after DCM.....at least

... not to mention using races as the reference dates. The rest of the world says "after Christmas"...runners say "after DCM"

ecoli

Think everyone has their own little examples such as few that spring to mind with me

• My last three trips abroad were 2 training camps and a race
• Spending 21st birthday abroad because it took second priority to my first half marathon on the same day
• Saving some of my holiday days in work in case the snow comes back this year and i can make last min dash for a warmer climate
• Refuse to go to doctors yet have no problems going for my weekly sports massage and sports therapists

pgmcpq

misty floyd wrote: »

I found it great to have a log, check in on others and a good sence of support sometimes but you end up reading tons of logs and before you know it you've spent an hour thinking about running instead of doing other constructive things.

What "....other constructive things."

I don't usually remember dreams but I did have a nightmare recently where I was coming to the finish line of a race but realized that I was approaching the line from the wrong direction - the clock and finish line banner were facing away from me, people were looking away from me to where the runners should be coming from. Once this dawned on me I began to try to figure out where I had gone off course and how long it would take me to find the route again and would it be cheating since I did not know where I had gone wrong .... terrible stuff.

rom

1. Knowing every possible stat about how far, how long , how fast, heart rate etc on your running. Using a garmin but you don't think it tracks enough info so you make your own spreadsheet that has more formulas and sheets than makes scene. Color code different session based on mood, distance covered etc. Plot the whole lot in graphics that automajically update.

2. Only wear runners (just in case) as you like wearing them

3. Only wear running socks (see above)

4. Eat,sleep,etc on a schedule so you can run exactly when you want.

5. Don't go family occasions as LSR is always Sunday.

6. Only clothes that you consider buying are for running.

7. Only books you consider reading are for running.

8. You bore yourself as you always get talking about running.

9. You bore other runners as you talk about running.

10. You monitor the color of your piss to see if your hydrated.

11. You get excited about going to running shops to buy new stuff ( that you generally don't need)

12. You buy 3 pairs of the same runners as you know that you will need them.

13. You consider buying a backup iPod just in case you forget to charge your normal one.

14. You schedule your working week around your runs*.

15. *Correction: You schedule your whole life around your runs.

16. You have more running socks than other socks. 17. You buy way too much sports drink when its on sale.

18. You spend a week looking for polyester shorts with pockets on either side that are cheap cause you want to but 7 pairs, but still can't find them.

19. You try to get everyone else you know into running also.

20. You spend too much time on this forum.

21. Want to go running on your rest day as you see people running.

22. Only go on holidays places that you can still do your training. (Sun holidays are out)

metamorphosis

tHE vAGGABOND wrote: »

Waking up in middle of night, and first thought in your head is not about getting back to sleep, is if its too early to get up and get your run done

Or waking up in the middle of the night and getting angry that you cannot fall asleep as you have to get up really early for a run in the morning. No sleep means your not getting a decent recovery afterall

Bally8

rom wrote: »

1. Knowing every possible stat about how far, how long , how fast, heart rate etc on your running. Using a garmin but you don't think it tracks enough info so you make your own spreadsheet that has more formulas and sheets than makes scene. Color code different session based on mood, distance covered etc. Plot the whole lot in graphics that automajically update.
2. Only wear runners (just in case) as you like wearing them 3. Only wear running socks (see above) 4. Eat,sleep,etc on a schedule so you can run exactly when you want. 5. Don't go family occasions as LSR is always Sunday. 6. Only clothes that you consider buying are for running. 7. Only books you consider reading are for running. 8. You bore yourself as you always get talking about running. 9. You bore other runners as you talk about running. 10. You monitor the color of your piss to see if your hydrated. 11. You get excited about going to running shops to buy new stuff ( that you generally don't need) 12. You buy 3 pairs of the same runners as you know that you will need them. 13. You consider buying a backup iPod just in case you forget to charge your normal one. 14. You schedule your working week around your runs*. 15. *Correction: You schedule your whole life around your runs. 16. You have more running socks than other socks. 17. You buy way too much sports drink when its on sale. 18. You spend a week looking for polyester shorts with pockets on either side that are cheap cause you want to but 7 pairs, but still can't find them. 19. You try to get everyone else you know into running also. 20. You spend too much time on this forum. 21. Want to go running on your rest day as you see people running. 22. Only go on holidays places that you can still do your training. (Sun holidays are out)

So true...made me laugh:D

Bally8

My hours in work have been cut again. From September I will be working 2.5 days only. While everyone commiserates with me, inside Im secretly excited as I will have more free time for running:eek:

Seres

metamorphosis wrote: »

Or waking up in the middle of the night and getting angry that you cannot fall asleep as you have to get up really early for a run in the morning. No sleep means your not getting a decent recovery afterall

thats use to happen to me all the time , or waking a million times in the night cause you worried you wont wake for the early morning session ( you'll bang the alarm clock and fall back to sleep instead ) .

nerraw1111

This is similar to an item on the Trifuel site yesterday.

http://www.trifuel.com/training/triathlon-training/top-10-reasons-exercise-is-bad-for-you

Top 10 Reasons Exercise Is Bad For You.

Number 10. Exercise is addictive which they say: ‘can result in overtraining, missing family obligations and social gatherings because of an intense "need" to exercise, and a worry that fitness will be lost or weight will gain with a day of missed exercise. The pursuit of exercise turns from a way to experience the beauty of nature or spend time with friends to a feeling of going to work or being stuck in a rut.


Some interesting observations, some not so much

Rantan

...prob none of the above ..thankfully.....but something I said to the missus' earlier today came bcak to me while reading this thread - we found an unused travel voucher wedding gift last night and today we spent some time looking at cheap flights/hotels etc - the first thing I said wsa -
"well we cant go in oct obviously and the last two weeks of sept are also out"....it almost felt like a possible holiday was getting in the way...I'm not ready for this...!!

ecoli

nerraw1111 wrote: »

This is similar to an item on the Trifuel site yesterday.

http://www.trifuel.com/training/triathlon-training/top-10-reasons-exercise-is-bad-for-you

Top 10 Reasons Exercise Is Bad For You.

Number 10. Exercise is addictive which they say: ‘can result in overtraining, missing family obligations and social gatherings because of an intense "need" to exercise, and a worry that fitness will be lost or weight will gain with a day of missed exercise. The pursuit of exercise turns from a way to experience the beauty of nature or spend time with friends to a feeling of going to work or being stuck in a rut.


Some interesting observations, some not so much

That article mentions one thing that sprang to mind

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703439504576116083514534672.html

I can see this being me in years to come. Though I have a solution: Marry a fast runner (one who views an easy ten mile as an adequate definition of a date:P)

shazkea

Obsessed is also checking out the Boards Winter 2011/2012 Prediction thread in July to see what that means for my training plan in Dec/Jan :rolleyes:. Snow stay well away :mad:

pgmcpq

shazkea wrote: »

Obsessed is also checking out the Boards Winter 2011/2012 Prediction thread in July to see what that means for my training plan in Dec/Jan :rolleyes:. Snow stay well away :mad:

... and we may have a winner .....:)

Oryx

Normal people call this stuff obsessed, but I call this obsession normal.

Like avoiding sick people before a big race (or pretty much all the time) so you don't catch a bug.

Getting up when its still dark to train so the people you love don't nag you about being out all the time training.

Getting stressed when an unexpected event upsets your carefully planned weekly training schedule.

Only caring and wanting to talk about your next, or last, race.

Analysing every bit of training you do down to the second. Or millisecond.

Training in weather that even the dog refuses to go out in. See also: running on lethal packed ice in the pelting snow.

Realising that all your clothing either came free with a race or was bought in a sports shop.

Knowing that if it came to a choice between training or your oh, youd probably stop and think.

kate.m

This sounds too familiar. I started running a lot at 12. Trying to do so many miles a week and building up seriously at 15. Then running before, during and after school only to have a training session later on. Was hitting 60 miles a week.

But I regret it all know. My knees are ruined and I can't even run for 2 miles without getting pains. Even worse I have a hip problem that I couldn't resolve. I went to every physio, sports therapist and even doctor to sort it out. Took time off, started again, still there. I've had every scan available and nothing. Wasn't cheap either.

So at 18 I can't physically run. I panicked when one doctor suggested a hip replacement. :O.
just take it easy guys and look after yourself.

Mr Marri

If you think runners are bad you should check out the obssesive weirdo's over on theNutrition & Diet forum. Pages and pages about stuff that no body can prove :pac:

ecoli

Mr Marri wrote: »

If you think runners are bad you should check out the obssesive weirdo's over on theNutrition & Diet forum. Pages and pages about stuff that no body can prove :pac:

In Fairness i seem to recall something along the lines of this thread.... (yes its the famous airplane treadmill thread)

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056067540

RayCun

I put that one down to taper madness :pac:

slowsteady

While out running this morning remembered an incident about a year ago.

Had to give a presentation at a board meeting late one evening so decided I had time to go home and get in a quick run before going back into work.
Travel ran late so by the time I was kitted out decided to do the run on the OH's running machine. Everything went fine until the dismount when I missed the stop buttton but the message had already gone to the legs - so down I went:eek:

Evening presentation was accompanied by prominent tread burn on cheek and forearm:o

But at least I got the run in!!

Needless to say slightly embarassed having to explain to colleagues - been certified as slightly insane since - 'He runs you know'