Comments on: Are you High? Runner’s High is a Reality

By: Quan

Quan — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 04:24:17 +0000

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.

By: K

Thu, 27 Aug 2009 16:48:52 +0000

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.

By: Danielle C.

Danielle C. — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 14:25:55 +0000

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.

By: Dori

Dori — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 13:43:14 +0000

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!