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
You look so wonderful, honey! Do your thang girl, run or don’t run, we love you (and your recipes) either way 🙂
I was training for running, and I had targeted a 5k. I’d be done with the running program by the time the 5k came. I was good at running for the first few weeks, until I became de-hydrated and got side aches from running. On running days, I’d forget to drink water until I’m about to run, then I gulp down bottles of water and start to feel sick. I don’t know why that, though. Recently, I got really far on the weeks, and I was able to run 8 minutes in a somewhat cold weather and it was fine and perfect. Note: this was a night run. I was running, and out of the blue I tripped. My knee began bleeding and I had to walk to the car. I waited for my knee to heal before running again- but I didn’t actually go running again. I kept putting it off. Then it started getting cold and I didn’t know what to do. This has helped me SO much. I’m going to take a break from running. Thank you Chocolate Covered Katie!
When I read this two weeks ago, I was struggling with trying to exercise despite worsening leg pain. It was a routine I had followed since I was a cross country runner in middle school. The pain became unbearable and I went to the doctor’s office, where I was diagnosed with a stress fracture and received a walking boot. Most of my running friends would be devastated with such news, but I was relieved. It gave me a much needed wake-up call: why was I continuing to exercise at such excessive levels in the face of fatigue and pain when there was absolutely no reason to do so (I’m not in college competing for a team, and I am not a professional athlete)? I feel like a burden was lifted from my shoulders. I have more time during the day to study (medical school can be demanding) and relax (cooking tasty vegan foods or going to bed early). When I am allowed to walk without the boot, I won’t worry about resuming running any time soon. Like you said, it will always be there.
girl, I do the same thing with my almond butter…and seriously at least a third of a jar. I just discovered this insanely good date syrup they sell at a few places here in the city and my latest routine is almond butter (or tahini) mixed w/ date syrup and cacao powder.
I’m glad to hear you’re doing well, my love.
so i’ve adored ur blog for a few years but life’s been kinda crazy on my end so i’m just reading this post and wanted to leave a comment. as u can tell from my name/website/blog i do have a passion for running and think it’s awesome, when i first read u were a runner i thought, “cool beans.” but u know what? i STILL think you’re amazing and incredibly creative and talented at wat u do. and even though for ME running remains a passion i’m the FIRST person to say you should never force it on yourself or anyone else.
if you passions change, you should be flexible enough to follow that change. just wat u explained, mentally with exercising and such people can start to feel like they ‘have’ to do things and feel ‘guilty’ for ‘cheating’ or skipping the run. but u force something on yourself long enough and it will only cause you mental torture.
so i just wanted to commend you for listening to your passions and personal instincts and giving up something that turned into more of a burden to you than a passion.
keep up the wonderful baking, blogging, cooking…i SUCK in the kitchen and seriously have so much awe over what you’re able to create. annnnd u always make me drool. 🙂
I’m really proud of you, Katie! It can be so hard to change things that play a big role in your life but you did just that! Not many people are able to change those energy sucking parts of their lives like you did! I hope you keep feeling great and I hope you stay healthy and strong through the hard times. I wish you the best girl! x
I just stumbled on your site. I am trying to go gluten free and experimenting with everything love your recipes just made the nutella with almond butter my 13 year old made. Does this need to be refrigerated or room temperature like the original. Thank you any good rolls or bread recipes?
Yes.
I understand exactly what you’re talking about! I found that I was much more energetic, happy and peaceful when I stopped stressing about exercise. The best piece of advice I got from my doctor was: do what makes you happy! If you want to dance, dance. If you want to go for a run, run. Eat to feel good, because healthy choices make you feel good, but also don’t skip the chocolate cake if you really want to have some! Doing what feels good is what’s best for you. I really love your blog and your recipes, thanks for taking the time to create healthy alternatives so I can eat to feel good 🙂
Just saw this. After many years of loving it, I just came face to face with “I don’t enjoy running anymore!”, too. First, I panicked. Then, I actually allowed myself to relax and let new motivation/inspiration come. That’s where I am now. This post feels great on my brain. Thank you.
I’m sorry about all of the stress you’ve experienced. We all have to go through that from time to time to grow. I’m actually happy for you that you got to dump the chump. Honestly, I would read a blog about a recipe… the simple fact that he refused to try things or refused to share in your passion for foods just by giving them a taste, that you had to pander to him by making 2 meals… told me it needed to end sooner than later. Little things like that say a lot about the overall person and, I was reminded of someone I blew too much time on as well. Hoping it would get better and, some people are so settled in their ways (or psychotic) they are unable to grow. NOW YOU CAN! 🙂
As for running, maybe a nice mile or 3 will be enough if you ever want to get back into it. 7-8 is impressive but, it’s too much for many people. I think my max was 4.5… it’s good but, maybe too much exertion and stress in the long term.
You’re a strong woman and I know you will get through whatever ails you… even if it sucks for a little while. The best thing we can do is just keep doing… but take a nice break once in awhile!
I’m glad you posted this. I have read some rather ‘unkind’ and I believe inaccurate things regarding ‘you’ on Calorie Count and on MyFitnessPlan. Some people on the forums forums DID peg you as a young, food obsessed individual with a massive ED – someone who ran and was far too skinny and is anorexic and/or bulimic!
Anyways, keep the faith! I think you’re awesome and love your site.
p.s. your peanut butter/coconut butter mix would be too dangerous for me…I’d most likely eat the entire jar…not just a 1/3!
Thank you so much, Sherri. I think I’ve unfortunately seen a few of those posts (although I’m sure there are many others I haven’t seen… and don’t care to see!). Negative people will always exist, especially on the internet where it’s so easy to be anonymous and say disgusting things you’d never dream of saying to someone’s face. At the end of the day, I just had to learn to live my life and ignore it. By now, I’ve heard so many crazy conspiracy theories about myself that I just roll my eyes at mean comments and move on.