Recently in an interview with Runner's World, hip-hop artist Eminem talked about running and admitted that:

"You kind of go from one addiction to the next. And I'm an addict. It was a little too much; it was a little extreme. It was a total of 17 miles [a day]." Running close to 20 miles is great if you're training for a marathon, but not something your body can handle every day.

Many people say they're "addicted to running," but usually this is a positive addiction, meaning it offers only benefits, such as stress relief and weight loss. There is such a thing as a negative addiction when it comes to running though, and it falls under the category of exercise addiction. You see there's a big difference between running complementing your life and running being your life.

To learn what the signs of a running addiction are read more.

If you're obsessed with running, and are compulsive about getting in a run regardless of other commitments, the weather, or injuries, then you could be considered an addict. You may also have an exercise addiction if you feel guilty when you don't run, or if you work out for a duration, intensity, and frequency that's beyond what's considered normal. Some addicts talk about nothing but running, and even skip out on work just to exercise.

There's nothing wrong with loving and needing to run, both for your physical and emotional well-being, but when running begins to have negative effects on your spirit and your body, then it's time to get some help. Talk to your doctor, a personal trainer, a therapist, or a fellow runner, if these signs sound familiar.

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