Heck yeah! I run in part because I stopped drinking (which was one of the best things that ever happened to me). My life now is so much more interesting than it was when I was drinking, fwiw. And you’re totally right about the way it can sneak up and take over. Loved this installment.
That’s exactly what I needed to hear! Actually I quit for a full year once when I was around 29 or 30; I don’t know why I started back up again! That’s really interesting, to hear that life is more interesting now for you without it — is that because you’re more clear headed without it? Thank you, Edith!
Yes, it’s largely the clear-headedness, but I also didn’t realize how much drinking locked me into a pattern each day — and how much could CHANGE when I broke out of that pattern. And can just keep changing. It’s like I have more time to work with every day. It felt like the same thing kept happening when I was drinking, and that large swaths of my day were relegated to the same events (drinking, sleeping, hangover recovering), and I feel like I have so much more time to work with now, if that makes sense. I used to think drinking fostered a sense of adventure, but after years and years of it, I realized it only caused the same thing to happen for me, over and over. Anyway, I can’t wait to read more about how it goer for you, should you choose to share!
Ha! I hear you. There once was a writer I remember seeing interviewed once, who was a big NY journalist in the 70s and 80s. He said his publisher asked him to write a book once about the 60s, but he couldn't -- because he couldn't remember it, thanks to being drunk all the time back then.
That's when it hit me: if you're a writer, artist, or any kind of creative person, you need to be able to see and interpret the world around you. And if you're doing something that makes it cloudy, that's going to affect your work in a big way. I wish I'd listened to it a long time ago! No time like the present, though.
Feel the same way about smoking cigarettes! Not easy, but once I stopped, I was not longer scheduling my day around when I could light up my next kill stick!
Thank you for sharing this journey! I am also giving up drinking to better focus on the person I want to become. Thanks for your support along the way so far and I’m excited for what’s next.
Terrell, Having been a brewer and married to not one, but 2 alcoholics, I have firsthand knowledge of what alcohol can do to one physically and mentally. I used to join in the "fun" until it no longer became fun. Quit making brew (I could do anything from beer to wine to mead!) and quit drinking myself, completely. I guess it has been several years, since 2005. I never looked for something to replace drink. Running just came along as something that I enjoyed, so I do it.
Congrats on stopping and letting us know. It is a good first step. You have a supportive group here to help you and hold you accountable.
No runs today. It was at least 90. The blackberries are in full swing. I picked more to freeze for pie this winter! :)
Nilima, I learn so much from you here in the comments. And I've known alcoholics too, as well as people who were problem drinkers, but you might not put the label "alcoholic" on them. (The label "problem" probably fits for MANY of us, I'd imagine.) Both of my parents are pharmacists, and they've always stressed that these are, after all, mind-altering drugs we're putting in our bodies when we drink, so we ought never to underestimate how powerful they can be. Thank you so much for sharing this.
After living around drunks for such a long time (probably since my 20s!--my parents did not drink.) I can't bring myself to call any of them "problem drinkers"! That seems to me too euphemistic. I don't hate and despise people who drink. It's up to them. . . karma?? Thing that I've discovered over the years is people have to really want to change in order to make that change happen. No matter how much you love them and try to help, it is they who have to change. Nothing you can do can alter that! :)
I had an old friend, a radiologist and a doctor, who said "if I had to have a glass of wine every night after work, I was an alcoholic." I poo-pooed him--turns out he was right. Even the smell of alcohol provokes some kind of mind altering response that tells me it might be good, but my rational mind says"No"! Your parents are so, so right!!
I must thank you for your newsletters, too! I always learn a little something from them or find out things I did not know.
Enough. Better get out on the trail. Cool and nice today with cloud cover. Like I said, what does the weatherman know? It was supposed to be sunny and hot. Oh well!, take it as it comes, roll with the punches as my Dad would always say! :)
You couldn’t have known how much I have been struggling over the past few months with getting my passion back for running. This email could not have come at a better time. I’ve made enough excuses and I’ve wallowed in self-pity for unforeseen things that have brought me down. It’s time to get back to life and start running again. Thank you for your words.
You are so brave for sharing your story. I feel so many of us have had such similar stories, yet don’t allow ourselves to feel vulnerable enough to share it. Covid sucked for SO many reasons! I visited the liquor store more times in a month than I had in my entire existence. (Wine of course). I have always loved running, but would always hit a wall and make excuses to not do it. Lately, I’ve been pushing myself to just do it. My mantra is “run the mike you’re in.” It seems to help when you know you have more than 75% of your run to go. Thank you again for sharing a part of your story!!! Can’t wait to keep up with this!!
Thank you so much, Leah! And I’ve definitely been there with what you’re talking about with the wine. DEFINITELY the psychology of knowing you’ve just got 25% or 75% to go helps. I break up my runs mentally too. Glad you’re here!
I don’t believe this is a huge participant race, so I’m hoping to be able to do that naturally, not because there are too many people in my way. I am not the fastest runner, but I always find a way to burn out quick when I run outside. Currently working on keeping pace in different environments.
This was beautifully written. Thank you, Terrell. l started running because of the stagnancy and stress of the first year of Covid. My office never closed. I never took a day off because of Covid (until I got Covid in May this year). At a certain point, this transitioned into running because of my work’s stress. I had worked out in group classes at the gym before Covid, but those classes never touched the stress in the way running has. I’m in my mind for an hour focused on little but my heart pounding and my feet pounding. The work stress is still there, of course, but the way I deal with it is better. Running is great medicine for the soul.
I loved this! Your writing always resonates with me. I quit drinking 32 years ago because it was clearly a problem, and my dad died at 50 from cirrhosis. Now I try to remind myself that anything I ingest, smoke or purchase to numb my feelings interferes with my spiritual growth…it’s a good way to live and I am so grateful to have been given this gift.
Thank you SO much, Diane! That really means a lot to hear you say that. So, 32 years ago! That's AMAZING. That's such a powerful example you mention about your dad -- 50 is so young!!! (I'm 51, so when I hear stories like that, I'm like... wow.) What has been your secret to staying sober all these years?
For a while I went to AA meetings, but after a time I realized I needed to internalize the commitment or I would be subject to whatever circumstances were around me. Now I don’t consider drinking an option under any circumstances…so far so good but I never take it for granted. I’m certain you will be successful ❤️
Wow, I did not know about Peter Sagal’s book about running, so thanks. And thank you for sharing about the topic of quitting alcohol. I quit almost 8 months ago and I feel SO lucky that I figured this out so early and at the same time can’t believe I spent a decade doing that to my mind and body! You have a supportive community here if you need to talk about this.
I found running in 2016 and it slowly drew my energy until I was “giving up” things that contradicted with getting my runs in, but this happened gradually without my really noticing. What an amazing power it has to transform a person on every level. Yes, I would say that now the feeling of agency from running is starting to show up in other areas of my life. It can be hard to pinpoint but basically creates self respect and makes me think of myself as someone who gets things done, if that makes sense. 😂
This is so great to hear, Ashley! How has the 8 months gone for you? Just the fact that you've stuck to it this long gives me hope that it can be done. I totally agree with you about its power to transform us -- it's definitely done that for me, even when I put it aside for a while. When I come back, it always helps pick me back up!
The 8 months have actually been pretty mind blowing. I feel much healthier and more intelligent than ever before in my life. Dealing with anxiety and “heavy” emotions without the numbing agent has been challenging. It can 100% be done though! My mom quit at the same time I did and I know someone who has been sober for 30 years.
What helped me personally was learning that the marketing around alcohol is all a sham. I believed in my 20s that beer and wine were like a category of food and drink that is only bad for you in large quantities. Nope. Alcohol is a weak neurotoxin, a carcinogen, and one of the most potent known disrupters of REM sleep. It even messes with protein synthesis after you run or workout. 😬 That feeling of “relaxation” that a glass of wine gives you isn’t real relaxation. It’s the drug binding to the GABA receptors in your brain and flooding it with unnatural levels of serotonin, among other things. So it’s kind of hard for me to ever look at it the same way again. I think (and hope) that alcohol will go the same way as cigarettes and humanity will be able to move on from this collective addiction. People always say we’ve been drinking it “for thousands of years” but we also didn’t have access to clean water for a lot of that time so... 🤷🏻♀️😂 Sorry for writing such a long message but I’m kind of passionate about this now!
I’m glad that running is still there for you after an off season or when life gets in the way. It’s so inspiring to know this sport will be there for the rest of my life, God willing.🤞🏻 And it’s something you can still be competitive at as you get older!
Right on!! Brother, we’re in this together. I don’t drink either. I have in the past, and I don’t miss it one bit. The quotation you cited was great. I don’t have quite the speed or stamina as before I got Covid but I’m still out there regularly kicking it and enjoying it. Looking forward to running with all y’all!
Thanks for sharing! This resonated with me so much - as I've been thinking about quitting the drinks too...they really do sneak up on you. Reading about your journey (and all those others who have commented) has solidified my resolve to make this a reality for me too. I can't wait to continue to see who I can be in this next chapter!
My 2 year old decided to get the run started early after being up since 2 am this morning so I finally got myself together and took him on a 3 mile run at 4 am! So excited to be a member of this community :)
Wow, Shawna! You got out there with the early birds! I know what having a 2-year-old is like, so that you're juggling all of this with being a new mom is even more impressive!!! 🙌
Such a timely article for me. I run for my mental health(yes, it’s therapy) but for many reasons including a long drawn out virus, in March I stopped and it’s been so hard to restart
Your post just reminded me again, I need to run, I have reasons to run and even reminded me that when I do get my butt out the door and make it happen how good I feel in so many ways.
Thanks so much for sharing this! I’ve been struggling with the wine creeping into my evenings as well and hearing your story as well as in the comments is so inspiring to stick to cutting out the drinking as well. I’ve been drinking less during the pandemic (because I typically wouldn’t keep it in the house but go out to bars and restaurants with friends) but still find myself drinking on weeknights and it just messes with my goals and it’s just not worth it. Excited to be going on this journey alongside you all!
When I was in the Marines and stationed in a war zone overseas, there wasn't a hell of a lot to do besides going to the club. Cigarettes were a quarter a pack so most guys smoked. Except for writing letters home, reading and or going to the make shift gym you could go stir crazy... I took up boxing and realized all to soon I had no natural talent ... the workouts were tough and no way I could smoke and or spend my nights at the club....
I like a drink once in a while but like a lot of you, I have know people who over indulged on a regular basis...I got the running bug in HS and it was always been there somewhere. A broken foot kept me away for a while and so did planters when I tried to skimp on shoes. It's been years but when I got my case of shin splints I realized I was human not a superman any more... At 72 I'm mortal and there are limits to what I can do.... As my bride tells me, you do something stupid and get bedridden, you're on your own. She didn't mean it, I hope anyway, But for me, there is nothing more satisfying than slipping on a pair of my favorite running shoes, grabbing my tunes and go out for a run and let my body dictate the distance and speed. I hope that never changes.
Steve, you'd better not get bedridden! Not only would it be a chore for your bride, it would be really hard on you.
My mom was super active until she was 80 some years old. A stroke laid her up in bed. My daughter and I took care of her. It was hard to say the least, even harder on her because she had been an avid gardener. All she could do was lay there and watch the seasons roll by. I do hope she is is a happier place now. :)
Terrell, Well done on the "burn the ships" method. It's a valuable method. Excited by the training schedule...have yet to decide the distance I want to cover...
Heck yeah! I run in part because I stopped drinking (which was one of the best things that ever happened to me). My life now is so much more interesting than it was when I was drinking, fwiw. And you’re totally right about the way it can sneak up and take over. Loved this installment.
That’s exactly what I needed to hear! Actually I quit for a full year once when I was around 29 or 30; I don’t know why I started back up again! That’s really interesting, to hear that life is more interesting now for you without it — is that because you’re more clear headed without it? Thank you, Edith!
Yes, it’s largely the clear-headedness, but I also didn’t realize how much drinking locked me into a pattern each day — and how much could CHANGE when I broke out of that pattern. And can just keep changing. It’s like I have more time to work with every day. It felt like the same thing kept happening when I was drinking, and that large swaths of my day were relegated to the same events (drinking, sleeping, hangover recovering), and I feel like I have so much more time to work with now, if that makes sense. I used to think drinking fostered a sense of adventure, but after years and years of it, I realized it only caused the same thing to happen for me, over and over. Anyway, I can’t wait to read more about how it goer for you, should you choose to share!
(I do still sleep)
Ha! I hear you. There once was a writer I remember seeing interviewed once, who was a big NY journalist in the 70s and 80s. He said his publisher asked him to write a book once about the 60s, but he couldn't -- because he couldn't remember it, thanks to being drunk all the time back then.
That's when it hit me: if you're a writer, artist, or any kind of creative person, you need to be able to see and interpret the world around you. And if you're doing something that makes it cloudy, that's going to affect your work in a big way. I wish I'd listened to it a long time ago! No time like the present, though.
Feel the same way about smoking cigarettes! Not easy, but once I stopped, I was not longer scheduling my day around when I could light up my next kill stick!
And no more coughing and lamenting the cost of a pack or carton... been there and glad I'm not anymore..
exactly!
Thank you for sharing this journey! I am also giving up drinking to better focus on the person I want to become. Thanks for your support along the way so far and I’m excited for what’s next.
Right back at you, Shawna! That’s exactly where I am too — it’s just time to do it, you know?
Truly! If not now, when can be applied to both running and dropping drinking and one of them provides a lot more joy!
Terrell, Having been a brewer and married to not one, but 2 alcoholics, I have firsthand knowledge of what alcohol can do to one physically and mentally. I used to join in the "fun" until it no longer became fun. Quit making brew (I could do anything from beer to wine to mead!) and quit drinking myself, completely. I guess it has been several years, since 2005. I never looked for something to replace drink. Running just came along as something that I enjoyed, so I do it.
Congrats on stopping and letting us know. It is a good first step. You have a supportive group here to help you and hold you accountable.
No runs today. It was at least 90. The blackberries are in full swing. I picked more to freeze for pie this winter! :)
Nilima, I learn so much from you here in the comments. And I've known alcoholics too, as well as people who were problem drinkers, but you might not put the label "alcoholic" on them. (The label "problem" probably fits for MANY of us, I'd imagine.) Both of my parents are pharmacists, and they've always stressed that these are, after all, mind-altering drugs we're putting in our bodies when we drink, so we ought never to underestimate how powerful they can be. Thank you so much for sharing this.
After living around drunks for such a long time (probably since my 20s!--my parents did not drink.) I can't bring myself to call any of them "problem drinkers"! That seems to me too euphemistic. I don't hate and despise people who drink. It's up to them. . . karma?? Thing that I've discovered over the years is people have to really want to change in order to make that change happen. No matter how much you love them and try to help, it is they who have to change. Nothing you can do can alter that! :)
I had an old friend, a radiologist and a doctor, who said "if I had to have a glass of wine every night after work, I was an alcoholic." I poo-pooed him--turns out he was right. Even the smell of alcohol provokes some kind of mind altering response that tells me it might be good, but my rational mind says"No"! Your parents are so, so right!!
I must thank you for your newsletters, too! I always learn a little something from them or find out things I did not know.
Oh, forgot to mention one link I read on Trail Runner in Outside+ https://www.trailrunnermag.com/people/culture-people/sobriety-in-the-grand-canyon/ Thought you might enjoy it!
Enough. Better get out on the trail. Cool and nice today with cloud cover. Like I said, what does the weatherman know? It was supposed to be sunny and hot. Oh well!, take it as it comes, roll with the punches as my Dad would always say! :)
You couldn’t have known how much I have been struggling over the past few months with getting my passion back for running. This email could not have come at a better time. I’ve made enough excuses and I’ve wallowed in self-pity for unforeseen things that have brought me down. It’s time to get back to life and start running again. Thank you for your words.
Oh, thank you so much for sharing that, Jess. That means a lot to me to hear it. Let’s get back to it together! The group here is with you! 🙌
You are so brave for sharing your story. I feel so many of us have had such similar stories, yet don’t allow ourselves to feel vulnerable enough to share it. Covid sucked for SO many reasons! I visited the liquor store more times in a month than I had in my entire existence. (Wine of course). I have always loved running, but would always hit a wall and make excuses to not do it. Lately, I’ve been pushing myself to just do it. My mantra is “run the mike you’re in.” It seems to help when you know you have more than 75% of your run to go. Thank you again for sharing a part of your story!!! Can’t wait to keep up with this!!
Thank you so much, Leah! And I’ve definitely been there with what you’re talking about with the wine. DEFINITELY the psychology of knowing you’ve just got 25% or 75% to go helps. I break up my runs mentally too. Glad you’re here!
I will be running my first half on Oct 15! Any tips and tricks would be sooo appreciated! Happy to be apart of this group!
Go for a negative split... do the first half slower... the big rookie mistake is to go out too fast....
I don’t believe this is a huge participant race, so I’m hoping to be able to do that naturally, not because there are too many people in my way. I am not the fastest runner, but I always find a way to burn out quick when I run outside. Currently working on keeping pace in different environments.
You'll do fine... enjoy the moment...
This was beautifully written. Thank you, Terrell. l started running because of the stagnancy and stress of the first year of Covid. My office never closed. I never took a day off because of Covid (until I got Covid in May this year). At a certain point, this transitioned into running because of my work’s stress. I had worked out in group classes at the gym before Covid, but those classes never touched the stress in the way running has. I’m in my mind for an hour focused on little but my heart pounding and my feet pounding. The work stress is still there, of course, but the way I deal with it is better. Running is great medicine for the soul.
Thank you so much, Greg! I really appreciate that -- and you're so right, running really is medicine for the soul. I'm going to remember that line!
I loved this! Your writing always resonates with me. I quit drinking 32 years ago because it was clearly a problem, and my dad died at 50 from cirrhosis. Now I try to remind myself that anything I ingest, smoke or purchase to numb my feelings interferes with my spiritual growth…it’s a good way to live and I am so grateful to have been given this gift.
Thank you SO much, Diane! That really means a lot to hear you say that. So, 32 years ago! That's AMAZING. That's such a powerful example you mention about your dad -- 50 is so young!!! (I'm 51, so when I hear stories like that, I'm like... wow.) What has been your secret to staying sober all these years?
For a while I went to AA meetings, but after a time I realized I needed to internalize the commitment or I would be subject to whatever circumstances were around me. Now I don’t consider drinking an option under any circumstances…so far so good but I never take it for granted. I’m certain you will be successful ❤️
Wow, I did not know about Peter Sagal’s book about running, so thanks. And thank you for sharing about the topic of quitting alcohol. I quit almost 8 months ago and I feel SO lucky that I figured this out so early and at the same time can’t believe I spent a decade doing that to my mind and body! You have a supportive community here if you need to talk about this.
I found running in 2016 and it slowly drew my energy until I was “giving up” things that contradicted with getting my runs in, but this happened gradually without my really noticing. What an amazing power it has to transform a person on every level. Yes, I would say that now the feeling of agency from running is starting to show up in other areas of my life. It can be hard to pinpoint but basically creates self respect and makes me think of myself as someone who gets things done, if that makes sense. 😂
This is so great to hear, Ashley! How has the 8 months gone for you? Just the fact that you've stuck to it this long gives me hope that it can be done. I totally agree with you about its power to transform us -- it's definitely done that for me, even when I put it aside for a while. When I come back, it always helps pick me back up!
The 8 months have actually been pretty mind blowing. I feel much healthier and more intelligent than ever before in my life. Dealing with anxiety and “heavy” emotions without the numbing agent has been challenging. It can 100% be done though! My mom quit at the same time I did and I know someone who has been sober for 30 years.
What helped me personally was learning that the marketing around alcohol is all a sham. I believed in my 20s that beer and wine were like a category of food and drink that is only bad for you in large quantities. Nope. Alcohol is a weak neurotoxin, a carcinogen, and one of the most potent known disrupters of REM sleep. It even messes with protein synthesis after you run or workout. 😬 That feeling of “relaxation” that a glass of wine gives you isn’t real relaxation. It’s the drug binding to the GABA receptors in your brain and flooding it with unnatural levels of serotonin, among other things. So it’s kind of hard for me to ever look at it the same way again. I think (and hope) that alcohol will go the same way as cigarettes and humanity will be able to move on from this collective addiction. People always say we’ve been drinking it “for thousands of years” but we also didn’t have access to clean water for a lot of that time so... 🤷🏻♀️😂 Sorry for writing such a long message but I’m kind of passionate about this now!
I’m glad that running is still there for you after an off season or when life gets in the way. It’s so inspiring to know this sport will be there for the rest of my life, God willing.🤞🏻 And it’s something you can still be competitive at as you get older!
Right on!! Brother, we’re in this together. I don’t drink either. I have in the past, and I don’t miss it one bit. The quotation you cited was great. I don’t have quite the speed or stamina as before I got Covid but I’m still out there regularly kicking it and enjoying it. Looking forward to running with all y’all!
That's great to hear, Lisa!!
Thanks for sharing! This resonated with me so much - as I've been thinking about quitting the drinks too...they really do sneak up on you. Reading about your journey (and all those others who have commented) has solidified my resolve to make this a reality for me too. I can't wait to continue to see who I can be in this next chapter!
That's so great to hear, Mandy! And yes, they really do sneak up on us -- it's more powerful than we realize, I think.
My 2 year old decided to get the run started early after being up since 2 am this morning so I finally got myself together and took him on a 3 mile run at 4 am! So excited to be a member of this community :)
Wow, Shawna! You got out there with the early birds! I know what having a 2-year-old is like, so that you're juggling all of this with being a new mom is even more impressive!!! 🙌
Such a timely article for me. I run for my mental health(yes, it’s therapy) but for many reasons including a long drawn out virus, in March I stopped and it’s been so hard to restart
Your post just reminded me again, I need to run, I have reasons to run and even reminded me that when I do get my butt out the door and make it happen how good I feel in so many ways.
Glad you're here!
Thanks so much for sharing this! I’ve been struggling with the wine creeping into my evenings as well and hearing your story as well as in the comments is so inspiring to stick to cutting out the drinking as well. I’ve been drinking less during the pandemic (because I typically wouldn’t keep it in the house but go out to bars and restaurants with friends) but still find myself drinking on weeknights and it just messes with my goals and it’s just not worth it. Excited to be going on this journey alongside you all!
Thank you, Lauren! I'm excited you're here on this journey too!
When I was in the Marines and stationed in a war zone overseas, there wasn't a hell of a lot to do besides going to the club. Cigarettes were a quarter a pack so most guys smoked. Except for writing letters home, reading and or going to the make shift gym you could go stir crazy... I took up boxing and realized all to soon I had no natural talent ... the workouts were tough and no way I could smoke and or spend my nights at the club....
I like a drink once in a while but like a lot of you, I have know people who over indulged on a regular basis...I got the running bug in HS and it was always been there somewhere. A broken foot kept me away for a while and so did planters when I tried to skimp on shoes. It's been years but when I got my case of shin splints I realized I was human not a superman any more... At 72 I'm mortal and there are limits to what I can do.... As my bride tells me, you do something stupid and get bedridden, you're on your own. She didn't mean it, I hope anyway, But for me, there is nothing more satisfying than slipping on a pair of my favorite running shoes, grabbing my tunes and go out for a run and let my body dictate the distance and speed. I hope that never changes.
Be strong everyone!!!!
Steve, you'd better not get bedridden! Not only would it be a chore for your bride, it would be really hard on you.
My mom was super active until she was 80 some years old. A stroke laid her up in bed. My daughter and I took care of her. It was hard to say the least, even harder on her because she had been an avid gardener. All she could do was lay there and watch the seasons roll by. I do hope she is is a happier place now. :)
Amen to that...
Terrell, Well done on the "burn the ships" method. It's a valuable method. Excited by the training schedule...have yet to decide the distance I want to cover...
Thanks, Neal! I'm planning on adding one for a 10K too -- stay tuned on that one, if that's more to your liking.
Terrell, you can do this!!!
Thanks, Corrina!