I read, for some people, that training for IM can actually occupie the same part of the brain as a drug addiction. The artical went on to describe athletes who obsess all day about getting in the next training session. If something gets between them and their training they freak, like a drug addict looking for their next high. These symptoms become more accute as the event draws near.
As I continued to read I discovered, I am this person. I am an IM addict.
What article did you read? Can you post a link?
I have heard the same with Marathons and other sports…no article link here but its been talked about a lot within the sports psychology community
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I have heard the same with Marathons and other sports…no article link here but its been talked about a lot within the sports psychology community
Yes, it’s quite a common topic, but also for sport or exercise addiction in general. The evidences are not clear. For instance, how do you define addiction (vs habit, life style, etc.)? Some problems in the studies come from the items used. For instance I had once to fill a questionnaire asking me if I go to the pub, do I socialise in the evening, etc. No I don’t go to the pub, no I don’t party all night, but I have lots of training friends and partners. Those are not counted in the studies, and therefore I am classed as lacking social contacts, therefore a sign of addiction.
Probably the key thing is how are you do you feel if you stop training for a while? Do you take a break at some point during the year? Do you feel guilty if you miss a session? Can you put things in perspective? Being a bit obsessed just before a competition is just plain normal!
sent this thread to a psychologist friend of mine who is very interested in sports but is not her main area…see what she thinks and if there are or have been proper studies done like you say where the questions are for athletes and not “normal” people lol
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The only reason I dont smoke crack is cause I know that once or twice a year Mike Riley is going to say “YOU ARE AN IRONMAN”…and he is going to say that to me.