I’ve been meaning to write this post about why I gave up running for a while…
Although it’s completely unrelated to healthy desserts or recipes, I wanted to publish in case it can help someone out there who might feel like I did a few months ago.
If you were to stumble upon my blog without knowing anything else about me, you might get a picture of this crazy-enthusiastic girl who is always happy, completely carefree, and whose life revolves around food and chocolate and dessert 24/7.
In reality, “blog Katie” is only a very small portion of who I am outside of the computer world.
You might be surprised by how much of my life is entirely unrelated to food and cooking, and I’m definitely not completely carefree.
Related: How I Started Blogging Full Time
Because I choose not to talk about my friends, relationships, or personal life on the blog, most people would’ve had no idea I was anything less than my usual upbeat self early this year…
Yet even as I continued with the cheery chocolate posts, I was feeling overwhelmed and exhausted thanks to moving twice, going through a breakup, sorting out issues with the book, and worrying about the future.
In the past, I would have leaned on running to get me through.
It was in college that I first fell in love with the sport, waking up each day excited to get out in the fresh Pennsylvania air before classes. Running provided an outlet for the pent-up energy I was no longer expending on soccer and tennis (sports I’d played almost from birth all the way through high school), and I could think about everything while I ran: school, friends, guys, the past, the future… or sometimes nothing at all.
Running’s meaning in my life would change over the years; when I moved back to Texas it became a comforting source of stability in my crazy and uncertain post-high-school life. Four or five times a week, sun or rain or snow, I’d be out there running, 7 to 10 miles each time. I loved it.
But somehow this past summer, I lost energy and motivation for something that used to bring such joy and excitement. For the first time in eight years, I found myself dreading the idea of going out for a run.
I would drag myself through the miles and arrive home feeling completely drained. Running had never been something I wanted to force myself to do, so one day in early July when I was “supposed” to go out, I just didn’t.
That one day turned into a week.
The week turned into a month.
Then two months.
And I was surprised to find I didn’t miss it. I had much more energy throughout the day, felt happier and less stressed, and even my hair—no longer breaking off from much-too-tight ponytails—looked healthier.
As people have pointed out in a few of my recent posts, I’ve also gained weight, which I’d been trying to do for awhile (I always wanted curves). Not going to lie, I am pretty excited about this.
(To ease your worries if you want to give up running but do not wish to gain weight: I don’t think quitting running directly caused me to gain weight. My personality is such that I naturally tend to lose weight when I’m stressed and overwhelmed, so the change is a physical manifestation of feeling happier and more relaxed.)
Will I ever go back to running?
Maybe someday in the future, but much more recreationally.
If running works for you, that’s great. Keep doing it! But if you’re feeling burned out by running—or any exercise—it might be a good idea to take a step back for awhile. You can always pick it up again if the desire strikes.
That’s not to say I’m advocating giving up exercise completely: I still walk every morning to get out in the fresh air, and lately I’ve been going with a friend to the gym a few times a week (basically he lifts all the heavy weights and I stand there with my 10-lb dumbbells and exercise my mouth!).
When I first gave up running, I feared losing a part of my identity. But the truth is I now have so much more.
2014 Edit: Part Two: Why I Started Running Again
Recipe Of The Day:
Flourless Pancakes – 3 Ingredients, NO gluten, soy, eggs, or refined sugar
So glad someone else feels the same way I do about running! I seem to go through phases of craving it and then resenting it. I used to feel guilty when I didn’t run but I realised that as long as I’m still moving, eating well and being active then there’s no compulsion to push myself even harder. Maybe one day I’ll get back to it, but for now Im just glad there’s others experiencing the same thing! x
I started running last year and it’s the best thing I’ve ever done! I’m up to over 10 km now per day and I run every morning, 7 days per week. Interestingly, I gained a bit of weight when I started to run, but I was underweight before and I think that I have gained only muscle weight. I’m totally addicted to running now and It makes me feel so much better. 🙂
Omigosh! I thought I was the only one who mixed coconut oil with peanut butter!!!! I’m so glad I’m not alone! 🙂 It’s just soooo good, huh?
Thanks for sharing. I work out daily, but am not a runner! Have tried couch 2 5k so many times, but nope, still hate hate hate running!
I don’t usually comment on blogs, but your post just really “spoke to me”.
And made me want peanut butter w/ coconut oil….and a sprinkle of salt. 🙂
i was relieved when i made it clear that you are just stop running, not stopping running this blog! it will be my heart to stop running if you close the blog!
you’ve been to China so you know that how stressful high school life is in the East…Failing the public exams will ruin your life, bring down your family name…This is exactly how people in the Eastern societies think. life is full of pressure; it is totally unnecessary to pile any more on oneself. I always smear my textbooks and notes with chocolate. 🙂
Love and support from Hong Kong!
Oh my gosh, this speaks to be soooo much!! I had been battling an eating disorder for about 3 years, running, like you anywhere from 8-10 miles, every day, rain or shine. My grades were going down hill, as well as my social life, and my organs. This was not all related to running, it was partly due to how little I would actually eat. Finally, one day, I snapped! I hateddd my life, I loathed exercise, everything. I just quit. Slowly, slowly, slowly I gained back about 25 pounds (and have curves…woohoo!!) over the last year. I know it sounds like a lot, but my body was happy to eat again, as was I (: Anyway, I am having a hard time, STILL, getting back into any sort of exercise, even though I know I need it, especially after all of this holiday stuff coming up 😉 I am positive, that once all of the negative parts of exercise leave my brain, I will SEE all of the wonderful, uplifting parts of exercise . The part that you’re supposed to feel, what exercise is meant for, happiness(: (oh, and same with healthy eating…still not on top of that either ;).
Your story is so inspirational.
do you have more gluten free recipes?
Here is a link to all of her recipes that can be gluten-free: https://lett-trim.today/tag/gluten-free/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
I can completely relate to this post. I, too, have been struggling with my relationship with running. I’ve always said that it’s a love-hate relationship when it comes to running, but, lately, it seems as though there’s been more love than hate. However, the thought of skipping a day of running just consumes me with unbearable guilt. Hopefully I’ll be able to reach a healthy place where I can just say “no” like you did! You’re really an inspiration for me!
I’d also just like to say that I love your website (your five-minute chocolate mug cake is what first got me started on your site!), and I really enjoy reading personal posts such as this. Congrats on the success thus far, and I look forward to reading more from you in the future!
Great post – It’s always interesting to hear a healthy person explain changes in their routines. Sometimes you just need a change, sometimes your body tells you it needs a change. I believe that exercising should bring you joy – So you need to do what makes you happy.
I love that you were able to write this post! A lot of “healthy” bloggers probably would never share something like this, it’s nice that you are so real.
I was always a terrible athlete as a kid, and last year I had to be pulled out of sports due to a low weight and over-dieting. Now, I try to manage weight gain with yoga and strength training, I can’t say I ever loved running that much at all. This really helped me in my confidence that I can be healthy and athletic and not have to run 5K’s or play three seasons of sports! Thank you! Love your blog so much (especially lots of GF recipes, I suffer from Celiac)