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
Hi Katie,
I was wondering with all the peanut butter you eat, have you considered organic peanut butter? Do you know anything about the differences. I’m always debating whether to buy organic. Not sure if it’s worth almost double the price. Just wondering.
Sorry, I don’t really. I usually buy Whole Foods brand but it’s not organic.
hey there. just playing catch up on your blogs bc i haven’t been reading them as regularly. sending out a hug to you! I know the blog game of really wanting to seem like this healthy writer who’s got it together and posts tons of positive stuff, and it’s easy for readers to think that’s all there is. i feel for you katie! tough times suck, but writing about them is good and you’re just giving your readers a more honest understanding of who you are. and that’s great 🙂
Hey Katie, I thought you might be interested in this blog post my friend wrote called “Does Your Workout Care?” https://movementmuse.squarespace.com/blog/2014/1/5/does-your-workout-care
It’s completely changed my frame of mind when working out. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much for sharing your experience! I quit running a year ago–I had loved running, putting in 10 miles every weekend. It helped de-clutter my mind, and made me feel like I could accomplish at least SOMETHING when there were so many never-ending tasks. But running started becoming a chore, I went through a break-up, and a few other disappoints… so I just stopped. Thank you for articulating your own experience. It helped me understand mine!
What you do here on your blog is important.
This is a really thoughtful and beautiful post. I certainly know what it’s like to get into a pattern where suddenly keeping something up (even a seemingly healthy habit) can become limiting, even imprisoning. It’s inspiring and moving to read about your decision to listen to intuition, be gentle with yourself, and let go of old fears. It’s scary to let oneself change, to release oneself from an idea of “identity” when that identity’s boundaries don’t fit anymore. Bravo girl — thanks for writing this!
Thank you so much for sharing this! I have been forcing myself to run ever since I started, and though I do enjoy it, I don’t like feeling as though I HAVE to run. It’s nice to hear someone saying it’s not the only convenient way to stay fit.
Was glad to read this post. I had to give up running completely about 18 months ago because of major problems with my knees and hips… am still working on finding a good, low-impact exercise that I like that helps me stay on top of things. It’s a work in progress. But it’s nice to know that others have gone through the process, too.
Hey, I know this is an older post but I just found your blog 🙂 This is an awesome post and I have found other sports besides running, too! I love riding my bike, swimming and lifting weights. I still run/walk but not very much. I think moving your body every is key and as you get older (I am 42) it really is important to be gentle (which running too much is not, IMO). Also, I love how you embrace eating fats. I have a degree in Nutrition and it drives me crazy how people are fat (and carb) phobic! I go through a jar of nut butter about every 4 days. My hair, skin and nails love it and it won’t make you gain weight. I can’t wait to sign up for regular updates and to try some yummy recipes!
P.S. I think you look wonderful with some extra weight. Your skin glows!
hahaha! yess!!! i always thought you were a crazy enthusiastic girl obsessed with making everything healthy
Hi Katie, this post is completely relating to my life right now. I’m not sure where you are at mentally, but I know for me, running was a method of control. My life has been so completely out of control for the past 3 years (finishing up high school, being let down by friends and a boyfriend, having my mother pass away, my father drinking, financial problems causing us to lose our vehicles, our house, twice, and many of our friends) and running was the one thing I could control – or more so I could control my body. I was diagnosed with anorexia nervosa June of last year, and I was utterly terrified.
I have been to hospital, treatment and therapy and I would definitely say that i have had a lot of freedom come back into my life. Running is still something I struggle with from time to time: when I have a difficult day (or week) I will turn to running to numb everything out. I do have a good relationship with running too though. On really good days, I can listen to my body and what it wants and what its limits are.
I guess I’m telling you all this because I understand where you’re coming from. And it is really reassuring to me to know of someone else that has had the same struggle. So thank you so much, from the bottom of my heart. xx