Why did I stop running?

This is a recurring question I have been getting from everyone! From an old boss to friends and family, they wonder why I stopped doing what made me so happy at one point in my life.

The quick answer: I don't know! 

 

 

Let's dig deeper in the long answer :)

 

This will be the first time I actually sit down and try to figure it out. Before now, I didn't want to think about it!

 

As you can see in my Race tab, I ran, I raced, I did duathlons and enjoyed every minute of it! Even during the hard parts, I ended every training runs, bike rides and race in a positive note! It's kinda funny for me to write this as I never thought myself to be a "positive" person. At least, some people have told me I wasn't! 

 

I have never been one to be told I couldn't do something because: I was a girl, I wasn't strong enough,  I didn't how, etc. I ALWAYS tried to prove them otherwise. Sometimes it was good, other times not so much. If you read back to how I started running, you will see why I was so inclined to run :) 

So, after many races, my time had come to run the mother of all races (besides Ultras, for all you crazies out there!!) A Marathon! I even thought I would run an Ultra one day! So maybe you guys are not crazy after all :) I trained, I went, I conquered and I stopped. 

 

After my first marathon - October 2011

After being sooooo focused on this one goal for 5 months, I completely stopped! I started a new job that got me on the road A LOT and no access to my favourite trails at lunch time. No more lunch time either. I tried a few times and even ran the Vegas Half-Marathon because it was already planned. 

I always went into running with such a passion as I enjoyed the time I was outdoors and the feeling of my body being pushed to new levels all the time! Hey, I ran up ski hills at lunch and ran in trails that were so beautiful I forgot I had to return to work some times :) That was the feeling I wanted when I ran and that feeling didn't come back.... once in a while, it would surface and I would run but not enough to make me go out every day.

 

So, I had to find something else to keep my body moving. As you can see in a few posts prior to this one, I had not been moving for a while :)

 

This past weekend, we had a sunny Sunday and I decided to lace up my sneakers and take Penny on a run with me. Well, lo and behold, here I was enjoying myself and it felt like I was running on a cloud! The only drawback, Penny was not feeling the 20K I felt I could run that day! I felt that good! So we turned back home and did a total of 5.2K!!! That's more than any other runs I have done since last Summer! Woohoo :)

 

So, will I start training for a marathon again? I don't think so. I have discovered other workouts that I can manage while on the road and at home. Will I enjoy some beautiful days and go on a run? Definitely!!

 

Now, I workout because I can and because my body allows me to do it. I am fortunate to be healthy and happy with a great husband and fur-baby.

 

Watch out world, I am a strong woman ready to conquer whatever comes in my way!! Running or not, here I come!!

 

Tell me, what makes you stop a workout /activity that you use to love?