In the year since I quit running, I’ve received a high number of emails and blog comments from readers wanting to know if I’ll ever go back to it in the future.
While I’d initially been one of those people no one believes because they insist they really do love running, I wasn’t sure if I’d ever want to run again after having burned out from logging eight or nine miles at least every other day without a single break in over five years. Upon quitting, the passion to run remained very much absent from July until spring of the following year.
(Especially in February, my sole desire was to burrow under a ginormous sea of blankets on the couch watching Netflix.)
Then, one cool afternoon in March, I felt it…
The desire to run.
I ran a grand total of ten minutes that day and felt no need to run again for another month afterward. And now I think I’ve found a good balance, running only when I want to do so, which usually translates to a few times a week, for about an hour each time. There aren’t plans to increase this amount, nor is there any guilt whatsoever if the desire goes away (as it sometimes does) and I don’t run at all for weeks at a time.
Thus, I’ve rediscovered my love of running.
It definitely helps when, instead of oppressive Texas heat and cookie-cutter suburban houses, my routes now take me past wildlife, waterfalls, and American history books come to life. All of the photos in this post were taken while running.
People have asked if I’m ever worried the obsession might come back.
But my answer is a confident and emphatic “no.” I remember what my life was like before; I remember the stress involved in planning every run and worrying how I could fit it in on vacation or during bouts of inclement weather. I remember my drawn appearance and the lack of energy and motivation I felt for any activities unrelated to running. And I know what my life is like now—so much richer and more vibrant than before.
There’s no desire to ever go back.
I think it feels good when we listen to what it is that brings us joy in life. I’m just learning what I am passionate about and letting that guide me. I’m happy for you! -Also, I love you recipes and fun posts!
Love reading your story. How do you stay fit without running?
A lot of walking, both in terms of doing errands and usually taking a walk in the mornings (but not always… for example, not today). I also take 5 minutes every day to do crunches and squats while watching tv or listening to music.
Plus… I can count stirring batter and eating chocolate as exercise, no? 🙂
Thx! Cute! I count stirring
First photo confirms it.
Anorexic with a boob job.
Hey, no. Absoutly not. Katie is true, and that was a very rude, ignorent comment. By the way, if you have followed this blog for awhile, you will have seen how Katie has SLOWLY gained weight – – all over her body.
Thanks, Cookies n’ Cream!
Anonymous: please read the following post about the anorexia rumors before making false accusations: https://lett-trim.today/2014/07/14/chocolate-covered-katie-anorexic/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
In regards to the boob job, I’m actually so afraid of surgery that I never even had my wisdom teeth removed. So plastic surgery would be out of the question! 😉
Actually I already read that post. Also I’m entitled to my opinion.
Come out of anonymous hiding, YOU COWARD!!
You did not express an opinion, you made an accusation. It was pointlessly nasty, and you are “entitled” to exactly nothing.
You tell ’em! I actually have to give you such a standing ovation for the response to that comment. It was so slick.
I love your blog katie, but these sort of comments make me really annoyed. Not that anonymous is right, but he is entitled to his own opinion,even if it is not right. And then everyone starts to gang up on him/her like it’s their job to protect everyone from these comments. Eh, just my personal perspective. Love your flip flops btw. 🙂
I agree that we all have our opinions on every single topic possible but Katie didn’t ask for ours about her weight at all in that last post. Simply put, it’s bullying. We bully people for everything nowadays and it is unnecessary and ineffective.
So by your logic, Alexis, the anonymous troll is entitled to his or her opinion but those who come to Katie’s defense are not entitled to theirs? I agree with Nikki that bullying is not okay, especially weight shaming and especially with young girls reading these comments. I’m glad there were readers who took the time to call anonymous out and let him or her know that just because you CAN say whatever you want online doesn’t mean it’s okay to do so.
Your comment seemed very suspicious to me, and to be honest, I am wondering if you are in fact the anonymous troll.
Gee, but I am not anonymous, thank you very much.
Your point is true, you all are entitled to your own opinions, but I am trying to say, how everyone just runs up to Katie’s side, no matter what someone says. No, I don’t agree with anonymous, but the way everyone needs to make sure katie is never wrong in the comments is really weird.
It IS her blog, and the commenters are likely people who read it frequently. I don’t see anything weird about defending someone you like.
I guess you have a point. But if read some comments on other posts, you will see the slightest negative comment( not like anonymous’s) and there will be over 20 comments of people being so mean to them and cheering katie on like it is there personal job to make sure she is right 24/7. If you even try to give katie feedback of how you’re recipe turned out ( if it tasted/baked okay) , you become labeled as a “bully” who is “snarky”. Anonymous was obviously not being the nicest, but I am just stating my observations.
Alexis, just the fact that you are so vehemently replying to these comments has me pretty convinced that you and anonymous are the same person. It’s pretty obvious!
And I highly admire Katie and appreciate all of the hard work she puts into her blog every day. If I see someone leave an out of line comment, yes I will defend her. It is what I would do for ANY of my friends.
That was not an opinion, it was an accusation. There is an enormous difference. And no, Anonymous is not “entitled” to his or her nasty accusations on Katie’s blog. Katie is not the United States government, and thus owes no one a platform to say whatever vile and idiotic thing they would like to say in her privately owned space. And of COURSE people are going to come to her defense when someone is quite literally being verbally abusive. That’s not “ganging up,” that’s a group of people being a decent human beings that take a stand against cruelty.
Anon is anon for a reason Katie. They’re a coward. All I know is I’d like to cover you in chocolate. Can’t say the rest. Its a little filthy.
@Dan oh my god what has this comment thread become >:(
Katie is beautiful, and if you don’t like her site, go elsewhere. I understand you may be jealous that you will never look like her, but that doesn’t mean you have to be an ass.
+1
Well said!
shame on you for saying that. jerk
Awesome!! So love this post!! Sorda what happened to me, too, only to a lesser degree! now instead of dreading a workout or run, I only do the activities I feel are fun…With a few squats and pushups thrown in here and there. I have fallen in love with walking, and continue to horseback ride!
Katie it is awesome that you are listening to your heart! I had the same problem in the past and now that I have my first child, it is even more important to my family and my daughter and myself that I stay healthy and continue to nurture myself and my loved ones at home. For all of the terrible people who have commented on this in any negative way, I believe that you are jealous and sad. Go Katie!!!
Hi Kate,
I too have just gone through the same sort of progression with fitness. I was lifting heavy weights for about 2 years and was still a competitive runner. I was also ALWAYS tired and had nothing left to give to people in my life or even to work hard at my job. I loved the thrill of lifting heavy but really, what use in life is being able to squat 250#?!
After quiting the lifting bit and only running/lifting when I want, I am significantly happier person, and still in decent shape. Thanks for sharing and I love you blog 🙂
Congrats to your insight and that you learned to listen to your body 🙂 And thanks for sharing your story and your thoughts, I’m sure it will help many who also might discover that their exercise routine has gone from fun to obsession.
I’m really happy to hear that you have re-found your love of running and found balance for doing it. That is not an easy thing to do. Congratulations on a job well done!
You are so extremely gorgeous!! 🙂 I love LOVE LOVE your blog. I am studying to become a Dietitian, and your blog definitely inspires me to be a healthy eater and even incorporate the foods that I love (chocolate lover extremmme over here)! It is absolutely amazing how you come up with these recipes! I am also on the same page with running… I have developed a new love for bike rides, long walks, and occasional hikes. Although, I do find myself craving a nice jog every once in a while! Thanks for all of your wonderful ideas! Keep inspiring. 🙂
Thank YOU so much for such a sweet comment 🙂
Wow… This is so amazingly inspiring. You’re a great speaker, Katie! You could be very influential if you ever give a lecture ; )
I went through something like this as well, which I commented on in your other running post, and decided to give up running for the most part – at least obsessively – and only run when I want to. And just like you, I love running again, though I rarely do so bc these days I don’t have much desire to run most of the time. And it’s a great life – so much more peaceful and fills with happiness and self-love and emotional energy. I sometimes worried the obsession might come back, because I used to doubt myself too much – and still do sometimes though getting better – but I knew one thing for sure: as much as I love “time traveling,” this was something I definitely, never wanted to go back to.