A “Runners High” releases endorphins in your brain, relieves stress in your body, and really makes you feel great.
By: Garin Kilpatrick
A runners high is a euphoric feeling that sets in once you start to perform lengthy cardiovascular exercise, specifically running.
Getting a runners high is a great way to gain satisfaction from a workout, and this serves as positive reinforcement that will cause you to exercise more often.
Here is a quote from ultra distance runner Yiannis Kouros describing how he felt when he was running:
“Some may ask why I am running such long distances. There are reasons. During the ultras I come to a point where my body is almost dead. My mind has to take leadership. When it is very hard there is a war going on between the body and the mind. If my body wins, I will have to give up; if my mind wins, I will continue. At that time I feel that I stay outside of my body. It is as if I see my body in front of me; my mind commands and my body follows. This is a very special feeling, which I like very much. . . It is a very beautiful feeling and the only time I experience my personality separate from my body, as two different things.”
The runner’s high is one of the reasons why running remains one of the most popular forms of exercise today.
Don’t forget to run with water, it is important to stay hydrated as you run. Usually a runner’s high kicks in once you start to sweat, and sweating will make you very thirsty.
To get a runner’s high do your best to push your limits, this is when you will get the best high. A runner’s high kicks in as a natural way to fight the pain that pushing your body to limits will cause.
Yes there will be some pain, but the feelings of pain are easily undermined by the stronger feelings of triumph over that pain.
Here are some motivational Running Quotes, to get you motivated to go out there and get a great runners high:
“Ask yourself: ‘Can I give more?’. The answer is usually: ‘Yes’.”
-Paul Tergat, Kenyan professional marathoner
“Running is a big question mark that’s there each and every day. It asks you, ‘Are you going to be a wimp or are you going to be strong today?’”
- Peter Maher, Canadian marathon runner
“Don’t bother just to be better than your contemporaries or predecessors. Try to be better than yourself.”
-William Faulkner
“Running long and hard is an ideal antidepressant, since it’s hard to run and feel sorry for yourself at the same time. Also, there are those hours of clearheadedness that follow a long run.”
-Monte Davis
“Everyone who has run knows that its most important value is in removing tension and allowing a release from whatever other cares the day may bring.”
-Jimmy Carter
“Mental will is a muscle that needs exercise, just like the muscles of the body.”
-Lynn Jennings
“I run because it’s so symbolic of life. You have to drive yourself to overcome the obstacles. You might feel that you can’t. But then you find your inner strength, and realize you’re capable of so much more than you thought.”
-Arthur Blank
So what are you waiting for? Get out there and run. Once you do, come back here and throw down a comment and help disprove the people who think that a runner’s high is just a myth.
