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so when I game all the time, it's an addiction...

J-Cat

Shared on Fri, 01/16/2009 - 17:30

but when it's running, it's a-okay.

My BF has been big into running for well over a year now. I'm really proud of her, she has cut her time, lost weight, competed in various races and stuck with it through the dark, cold Ottawa winter. But that is what has got me; she went out running all week.  Please note the blog below: it's minus 30, the windchill makes it feel minus 40. Ottawa paramedics are asking people to not go out, but if they have to, bundle up.  So when does running constitute a "have to go out" type of activity?

She wants to run a marathon and a triathalon. The triathalon means that on top of running every day, she is also in a spinning class and a swimming class once a week each. The swimming class she does laps for an hour or whatever, it's intensive. To me, it just all seems like it's a bit much. Yes, being fit is important, and it's her social outlet. But at what point does this go overboard. She doesn't date. She lives alone with a cat. Her running takes "precedence" over other social engagements; if you want to go out with her, you have to work around her running schedule. In her defense, she does go out for coffee with the running group. She is preparing to run a race in Halifax or some such thing.

Look, I'm not a runner, but I'm no tub of goo either. Exercise is extremely important for a healthy lifestyle. My exercise seems to be fighting off various colds, flus and ear infections but I will blame that on Typhoid Erica. But to me, when any one activity occupies all of your free time, it's no longer the healthiest thing for you. And to go out in such extreme cold, doesn't seem so good for you either.

So are there runners out there? Is this overmuch? Cause I AM quite concerned. 

Comments

doorgunnerjgs's picture
Submitted by doorgunnerjgs on Fri, 01/16/2009 - 17:41
I just hope she wears a mask or scarf over her mouth and nose. The extreme cold can be very dangerous for the lungs and can cause irreparable damage. If she does that, she won't be able to run much in the future. The mask or scarf doesn't "filter" out the cold, but it tempers it with warm, exhaled breath to raise the temperature.
Lbsutke's picture
Submitted by Lbsutke on Fri, 01/16/2009 - 18:06
One of our friends (she is 40) runs in marathons, she has done Boston and Chitown(will be doing Boston and Chitown again this year)...She runs A LOT, she plays very competitive softball (adult tourney ball, came in second at Worlds last year), she is a physical therapist, has a husband, and a 4 year old. She still has time to go out to dinner with us about once a month. And we do not have to plan it around her Marathon training... I guess it is just a matter of her wanting to be social over her need to prepare for the other stuff. Does your friend like to have sex? Or does she not even care? Or is she just into Booty Calls.
revslow's picture
Submitted by revslow on Fri, 01/16/2009 - 19:27
To me, common sense says stay in from temps of that extreme.
TDrag27's picture
Submitted by TDrag27 on Fri, 01/16/2009 - 19:29
Marathons/triathlons are serious training endeavors. When people are into that, they CAN'T be just an average runner... I wouldn't be too worried about it as long as she's healthy...Now if she starts getting stress fractures or injuries and keeps going, then worry. Oh - and I work with a guy that has run a marathon on every continent. Yes - even Antarctica
Caduceus's picture
Submitted by Caduceus on Fri, 01/16/2009 - 23:52
It is a special breed that wants to run marathons competitively. I just finished my fifth, but it was my second time running a half on Saturday and the full on Sunday, which while not an ultramarathon in the truest sense, is quite a challenge, no matter how you slice it. From a medical perspective, for women, bone loss, absence of menses are important to note. For both sexes, mood swings, signs of addiction (inflexibility with re-arranging schedules for training, etc) could be signs of overdoing it, or the obvious things, like injury. Even a "hardcore" runner has one light or off day in a calendar week or they should. Expressing your concerns in a non-confrontational manner is important. If you value your friendship, make a statement like "I don't get to see enough of you when you're really training hard, on your next easy day I'd like to go with you if you can go at my pace for a little while" and see where that takes you.
pearly_54's picture
Submitted by pearly_54 on Sat, 01/17/2009 - 06:14
@Caduceus...long time no see! @J-Cat...yes, what he said! If she is "always" in training for the next event, it just might be her excuse to keep up with the exercise program she is on. But, remember the "runner's high". I'm sure she has discovered that!
Guardian's picture
Submitted by Guardian on Sat, 01/17/2009 - 08:35
Some people are just creatures of habit, unwilling to waver from their routine. Has she always been this way, even in other aspects of her life, or is this something new with the running? How long has she been running? Maybe it's a new fad for her, exciting and difficult to step away from. It sounds like it's important to her, so be very careful how you voice your concerns. If she thinks you see her running as trivial, she could get hostle and defensive. Try planning something with her a week or two in advance to give her time to adjust her schedule. This will show that you want to spend time with her, but respect what she's doing.
scratchski's picture
Submitted by scratchski on Mon, 01/19/2009 - 05:01
I had a colleague who was a professional runner. It was her life, her entire life, outside of work. When she couldn't run, or exercise, she was unbearable. It was an addiction that, outside of the workplace made her a loner. Not unsociable or unfriendly, just a loner.( she also lived alone with her cat ). She was happy though. I think your friend may have a mild addiction, but she does have some social life, and a real focus with the marathon idea. Remember there are perceptions of what is crazy. Living in the alps, I would ski in the worst snowstorms because the snow was best and I had the proper gear to deal with the weather - not that cheap ass tourist imitation / fashion crap. I don't think you need to worry about the " addiction ", if she's happy. Her social life is probably built around her running / fitness community more than her coffee / cocktail friends. I wouldn't worry.
scratchski's picture
Submitted by scratchski on Mon, 01/19/2009 - 05:03
I had a colleague who was a professional runner. It was her life, her entire life, outside of work. When she couldn't run, or exercise, she was unbearable. It was an addiction that, outside of the workplace made her a loner. Not unsociable or unfriendly, just a loner.( she also lived alone with her cat ). She was happy though. I think your friend may have a mild addiction, but she does have some social life, and a real focus with the marathon idea. Remember there are perceptions of what is crazy. Living in the alps, I would ski in the worst snowstorms because the snow was best and I had the proper gear to deal with the weather - not that cheap ass tourist imitation / fashion crap. All the tourists and the sunday skiers stayed at home drinking hot chocolate , leaving it to us crazies ! I don't think you need to worry about the " addiction ", if she's happy. Her social life is probably built around her running / fitness community more than her coffee / cocktail friends. I wouldn't worry.

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