Before I started running, I was a smoker and used to drink quite frequently. I would go out with friend on weekends and smoke about two packs of cigarettes and drink about 10 cocktalils, sleep at around 2am... It what just a bad way of living. I decided to stop smoking just because, there was no particular reason or objective. I just felt I've had enough. So, I tried to quit smoking and drinking several times, but I found it challenging to stick to my goals. However, when I started running, I found that I had a new focus in life. Running gave me a sense of purpose, and perhaps a sense of achievement.
As I started to take my running more seriously, I realized that smoking and drinking were holding me back. I could not perform to the best of my ability with a smoking habit, and drinking made me feel sluggish and unmotivated. It was at this point that I realized that I wasn't addicted to these two but I was connected to them in a deeper way.
Quitting smoking was not easy, it tooks me about 2 year to finally be able no to think about it. But running helped me through the process. Running gave me a new addiction, a healthier one I want to believe and it helped me to deal with the cravings that came with quitting smoking and drinking. I found that running gave me a sense of accomplishment and helped me deal with stress and anxiety.