[imatter2]

I find myself going for power walks or runs sometimes not to clear my head, although that's generally my intent when I initially start out - I end up walking faster, thinking harder, ruminating, and when it starts to hurt (physically) my reaction is to push harder, farther, faster - to punish myself. Drive out the "demons" so to speak. I don't think it's ideal but I'm not quite sure what to make of it...

[gayleggg]

I definitely think that it could be used as self harming. When you push yourself further than you should and it causing pain, it could be considered self harm.

overexercising can be.

[bronzeowl]

It can be. Compulsive exercising is a very real problem, and many people do it for the same reasons as self harm (releasing endorphines, to feel the pain, etc). It can, also, have long term effects that can be damaging. So, if you think it is a problem, I would recommend discussing it with someone.

[FallingTears]

Originally Posted by imatter2

I find myself going for power walks or runs sometimes not to clear my head, although that's generally my intent when I initially start out - I end up walking faster, thinking harder, ruminating, and when it starts to hurt (physically) my reaction is to push harder, farther, faster - to punish myself. Drive out the "demons" so to speak. I don't think it's ideal but I'm not quite sure what to make of it...

I called a phone line once because I was DESPERATE and the man at the end told me to go for a run and that the lactic acid burn would be a good substitute for the burn of matches! It's even in their official brochure as a distraction technique!

If it just makes you fitter, i don't think pushing yourself can be that Bad!

But if it's bothering you enough to post it might be an issue - even though I've never seen it in the articles on SI, it might fit somewhere else - like in unhealthy compulsions, obsessive behavior etc.