why do so many runners develop drinking problems?
is it the do or die nature of the sport? is it the obsessive tendencies that many runners share? is it the constant hours of isolation? is it that sinking feeling from the pit of one's stomach when they realize they will never PR again? is it the sense of dread that one feels once they lace up their shoes for what is perpetually the possible final run of one's life? is it the "look at me" hubris that all runners desperately seek, highlighted by the social media eye candy strava posts and likes fishing? is it the devastation one feels when realizing much of the sport is a lie and many of the greatest performances ever recorded are not naturally possible? is it the attire? is it the unavoidable body dysmorphia issues that inevitably rear their ugly heads as one ages and as one's fitness slowly, unavoidably, wastes away? is it the fact that, deep down, we all want to be any other kind of athlete than a runner? is it the fact that, given a choice, very very few of us would willingly do it all again? is it the regret? is it the sadness? is it the inability to cope? is it the manic questioning, questioning, questioning of training, nutrition, recovery, goals, aspirations, dreams, until one goes completely sick in the head?
why do so many runners develop drinking problems?