I’ve said it before: I really hate running. Everyone tells me I’ll start to like it once I get that runner’s high, which all avid runner’s insist is real, its just a matter of pushing myself that far.
Well, too bad. I don’t like it, and there are other forms of cardio I prefer much more, so I’m sticking to those.
But this insistence from addicted runners lead me to ask the question: is runner’s high real? Is it an actual, physical change that happens in your body to make the experience more enjoyable after you hit a certain threshold?
I did a little research.
German neuroscientists use P.E.T scan to prove that exercise induced euphoria is caused by a flood of endorphins produced by physical activity.
The rate at which these endorphins are released, however, is different for everyone, which quite frankly, kind of sucks. Some people that have never felt this rush may just have a threshold beyond their fitness level, so they are physically incapable of achieving this high.
But imagine for a second, if you could pinpoint the exact minute your high would kick in? The exact mileage/heart rate/duration your endorphins would flood your system and make you feel as though you could work out forever?
This, of course, is not strictly a result for running. Any cardio activity produces this euphoria, which is good for us non-runners, but I don’t think I’ve ever experienced a runner’s high. Sure, I’ve felt awesome after a great workout, my head is clearer, I’m in a great mood, and I feel like I have more energy than when I started, but I don’t know if I would call it a “high”.
Have you ever had unmistakable, undeniable runner’s high?
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Comments
Dori
August 20th, 2009 - 6:43:14 AM
I hated running too. I wanted to like it because I hate working out inside on a gorgeous day, but every time I tried I was miserable. But I didn't stop trying, and then one day I had the most amazing run. I felt great the whole time, I ran longer than I was previously able to, and when I was finished I felt an unmistakable runners high. Ever since then, I have loved running and I crave the next time I will be able to run just so I can feel great immediately -- and all day -- afterwards. While I feel good after finishing any cardio workout, nothing compares to the feeling of finishing an outdoors run. I know you hate it, but maybe you just haven't had your great run yet? I can't run often because I have a bad knee, but I signed up for a 5K next month and I am already itching to do a 10K next year. When you finally experience it, you don't want to let it go!
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Danielle C.
August 20th, 2009 - 7:25:55 AM
I used to hate running with a passion....but once I experienced that high I was hooked. I love it. I find that it is not only related to just running, anytime those exercise endorphins kick in I feel amazing. I wish everyone could experience the feeling, I believe our communities would be more healthy and fit.
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K
August 27th, 2009 - 9:48:52 AM
I've had "runner's high"--but not from running. From swimming, from yoga, from hard workouts on the elliptical machine but never from running. And I am talking about the kind of high that is euphoric--the world is a wonderful place, "I feel like superwoman" kind of high. Yes, I can compare it to the euphoria I've felt on benzodiazepines (taken for legitimate reasons). I too hate running. Have always had to do it as a part of cross training for swimming. It NEVER grew on me. I NEVER felt comfortable with it. All I got out of it was frequent foot injuries (my feet are anatomically not suited to running). So, is there such a thing as a "runner's high"? -yes I believe so. "is it an actual physical change?"-yes, it sure feels that way to me. I do have to really train to get it though--workouts with moderate intensity, and upwards of 40min of activity. But I would say don't despair if you've never felt it with running. You can get it other ways.
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Quan
March 4th, 2010 - 8:24:17 PM
Runners high is real. I was going on 2 hour of a mix of workouts. It was when I began to speed walk I felt it coming on. My body felt peaceful. I felt like I could fly, almost like I was about to have an outer body experience. I was thinking "How could this be possible?" How could my body feel calm when I am moving fast and working out. All the stress from my body went away. I felt ligt headed. However, it also scared me I began to panic. I thought something was wrong with me. That had never happened before, but I had never pushed myself that far before either. I also felt like I could continue. I felt happy but with that feeling I began to get scared and I stopped. I don't like being high from medications or street drugs. I don't like to feel like I am not in control. So For those who seek after the runners high...MORE POWER TO YOU but next time I will take it easy because I don't want to experience that runner's high/anxiety attack again.
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