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.
Thank you for your honesty. I’m glad to see you seem to have found a balance with running.
I lived in DC for four years and walked everywhere, it’s such a great city to be on foot.
So glad you’re doing what’s best for you, Katie! <3 Also, your website is such a blessing! I adore all your recipes. 😀
When did you move? Love your blog and recipes. Keep up the awesome work!
https://lett-trim.today/2013/12/22/life-now/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
Thank you for this post. It’s sort of helping me make peace with my running hiatus. I had to stop (hurt my foot) but before I did, I realized I was “going back there.” I love to move and be outside and to zone out, but I can do that walking. I can move with yoga. It’s not worth the obsession…and I hope that I will also be able, in this time off, to run because I want to feel like I had a great run, not because I HAVE to.
I totally understand and I am so glad you have this relationship with running again. It’s all about balance 🙂
This is EXACTLY how I felt all my life with my parents forcing me to take piano lessons. Now that it’s no longer a requirement, I’ll occasionally plop down and play for hours on end and actually enjoy it. And I think that’s the best thing about getting older; you finally realize what’s truly satisfying and what’s “necessary”. Good looking out!
Haha, I’m exactly the same re piano lessons!
Hi Katie,
I love your pictures! I recognize many of them because I work & run around DC as well. Let me know if you’d like any recommendations of places to go! I’m relatively new to the area and I’ve found some great spots, but I’m always looking for new areas to explore. If you have any tips please fill me in!
Sure! Could always use recommendations. Bring them on! 🙂
I think the best trail I ever found was one I was taken on with a friend that went through a forest and ended at the Potomac. Unfortunately, while I was fine running it with him, it’s not something I would do by myself. (I stick to more heavily populated trails when running alone, for safety reasons.)
For heavily populated trails, you really can’t beat the mall between the Lincoln Memorial and the capital building, as well as Rock Creek Park and the Zoo! Even at 7am there’s hundreds of people running around there.
I also really like the C and O Canal (by Georgetown), Theodore Roosevelt Island (so cool!) and the trails by Dumbarton Oaks (here: http://www.doaks.org/gardens/virtual-tour).
Let me know if you’re ever looking for a running buddy or find any good races 🙂
You’re in my backyard! This is familiar scenery for a DC-local 🙂 Excessive exercise takes over your life, glad to hear your thoughts on the subject!
Katie, thank you for sharing what’s on your heart, especially concerning your running story. I stopped running two months ago for almost the same reason; I had lost the joy that initially came with running and it had become an obsession. Like you, I was constantly configuring my life around running and it just sapped my strength. It’s nice to know that you’ve found a balance and that your life is more vibrant now:)
I periodically read your blog because your food looks (and tastes) oh so delicious.
However, posts like these keep me coming back. We all go through stuff and seeing you face the challenges in your life and thrive in spite of them is an inspiration.
I’m happy that you’re finding happiness, not just in your blog, but in your life. All the best.
Thank you for sharing your story. It’s great to hear that you have found your way to a balanced life. My experience and relationship with running is similar to what you describe.
In my case it was a difficult breakup that resulted in a need to keep my life in control. I thought I was taking care of myself by exercising and eating healthy. I didn’t realise that it left me with very little time and energy to actually live. It took a while before I started valuing my mental health over my physical health. My decision was made over many months but once I started to prioritise my mind over my body, my friends over food, my family over running, I experienced a new side of myself. In the process of taking care of myself I became stronger, smarter, happier, nicer, funnier, more compassionate and for the first time I felt loved.
Keep up the good work!