‘At Least I’m Addicted to Something Healthy,’ Says Runner Whose Running Addiction, Like All Others, By Definition Is Unhealthy

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A local woman conceded recently that her running habit has become an addiction, Dumb Runner has learned, while maintaining, paradoxically, that the situation was “healthy.”

“At least I’m addicted to something healthy,” Jane Bainter, 38, told a group of friends at a cookout on Saturday. “Ha ha!”

Bainter was responding to a friend who called her “addicted to running” when Bainter announced she had to leave the party early, because she was waking up at 5 a.m. for a long run.

Bainter has been running for about nine years, said a source close to her; during that time, she has finished eight marathons, 19 half-marathons, 44 5K events, and a handful of other races. The source, who requested anonymity, said that Bainter’s relationship to running has nearly every hallmark of an addiction.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, those signs include:

  • Inability to stop: People may use a substance or engage in harmful addictive behavior even if they want to stop.

  • Increased tolerance: Over time, they may need more of the substance or activity to feel the same euphoric effects as they did before.

  • Intense focus on the substance or activity: People with addictions become pathologically preoccupied with the substance or activity.

  • Personal problems and health issues: Addiction impacts all aspects of their lives, including their physical health, mental health, personal relationships and career.

  • Withdrawal: People with addiction may experience emotional and physical withdrawal symptoms when they stop using. … They may also become anxious or irritable.

“That describe’s Jane’s addiction to a tee,” the source told Dumb Runner. “She clearly can’t stop running, even when she’s injured; she talks and writes about it constantly; she seems to have needed more and more mileage over the years to feel the same effects; and I know for a fact that her running habits have cost her at least two relationships.”

“Also,” the source said, “she absolutely goes through withdrawal when she can’t run.”

“I mean, wow,” the source added.

Reached for comment, Bainter brushed off suggestions that her running habit had become harmful.

“That’s ridiculous,” she said. “Exercise is good for you!”