Why is it that even though I feel pain in my muscles, I want to run through that pain?
Why is it that when I’ve taken several days off, I feel incomplete without the run?
Why is it that when I drive past people running on the road, I want to get out and join them?
Why is it when I see children chasing each other on a playground, I feel the urge to go run with them?
It’s a NEED. It’s become a part of me. It’s an addiction, one that I’m okay with nurturing. There are worse addictions in this world, I could have chosen alcoholism or drugs or sitting on my butt eating bags of candy all day.
Yes, there are days that it does seem like this sport roughs up my body a lot. But I feel that some of the other lifestyle choices people make are just as hard on their bodies, if not more so.
The benefits of my chosen outlet are far greater than the temporary pains.
My name is Jill and I’m addicted to running.
Jill Will Run 
So long as you are healthful about it- listening to your body and such, great!
I’m just addicted to exercise in general!! Something different everyday!
I hear you on the exercise addiction, I guess I’m kind of the same way. Probably not as varied as you though. I keep thinking I should find some other outlets to spice things up beyond the running, yoga and strength training.
Motivation Wednesday. Nicely put. 🙂
You’re doing what you need to, in order to find balance. That makes running a passion, not an addiction. Okay, maybe a little bit of an addiction 😉
Hmm… I kind of like the word “passion” more than “addiction”. 🙂
jill…
i have been injured for the past 2 months and I THINK THOSE THOUGHTS EVERY DAY!! haha, i am so jealous of little kids who can run without worrying if there IT band is tight!!
well put. Im an addict as well
I think it makes it even harder when you’re injured, huh? I strained my glute and it’s killing me to not run like I want to, but I know I have to let it heal in order to have a future of running. *Sigh*
I hear you on the urge to run even though you are injured. I did that all through my knee injury. When the doc told me to take a rest day, I usually still ended up running a few miles. It is so hard!
“Hello Jill” (she says welcoming the new member to Runners Anonymous).
I hear ya. Even though I’m running more consistently these days, even on my days off, I drive by a runner and think “I should be doing that”.
Just remember there are worse things to be addicted to!
I think its only bad when it starts to get in the way of enjoying life. I remember going to the movies one Saturday night with my husband and we had to walk through the parking lot of a 24 Hour Fitness to get to the theater. We walked right by the windows and there was a waif like, pretty young woman running on the treadmill right on the other side of the glass running by herself in an otherwise empty gym. To me, that’s the picture of addiction. Giving up whatever fun she could have had on a Saturday night to go to the gym by herself. Or doing it because she needs a distraction from the fact that she has no friends. That’s a negative addiction.
Very true… when you give up other things in your life or even give up having a life for running, then it’s become a problem. That’s an important reminder too!
I just got goosebumps reading this. I couldn’t have said it better, Jill.
i love this. i, too, am addicted to running 🙂 i think i’m also addicted to the sitting on the couch eating candy (m&m’s) part too though! a running addiction is healthy, as long as you take a time out when your body needs it.