The runners high

Anyone who is into sports will be able to relate to the exhilaration that one feels when the endorphins are finally released in the bloodstream. This feeling will give you either an extra push in your legs or the strength to lift heavier weights or just feel so bloody happy and giggly. I've experienced all of these sensations and many a times will be able to almost recreate them just by talking about running or reliving a certain race. My eyes sparkle, my smile broaden, my energy level increases. I truly love exercise.

And not only running although IS my main focus. But spinning, yoga, body pump (NOT pushups though... hate these with a passion, I prefer planks over pushups). I don't get as much on the machines like elliptical or plain stationery bike. Nah, I need a class environment, music, an instructor that yells "come on! 10 more seconds! You can DO IT!!!"..... ahhh nothing like hearing this to make you think "I can give you 10 more seconds, yes, I can do that" :) The feeling is so intense when you finish. You are completely spent thinking it was so hard this time but dammit, you did it! And that's exactly when my endorphins kick in. That is when I think I'm damn good at this.

I always leave the spin room feeling great. Tired but great. It's how I also feel about running.  It is not easy, oh goodness it is not easy. There aren't too many runs that are fluid, no sensation, just a feeling of floating on air putting one foot in front of the other. Noooo... running takes energy. You spend energy. You get high but you definitely spend energy to get there.

I haunt a Facebook page called I <3 (symbol for heart) Running, a page where many come to gush about their love of running, sometimes ask a question or share their doubts or shout out loud about their successes. There is also the odd person who post a ridiculous quote like "do or die" as in run or die. Some of these black/white type of quotes do absolutely nothing to me. In fact, they disturb me because so many people take them at face value and will push, push, push to the utter limit of themselves without a concern for their health. Unbalanced and dangerous to say the least.


But one thing that is apparent from many posts on that page is that many many have the runners high, especially at the beginning. It's like they never have enough! They breathe, eat, drink running. They can't stop thinking about it, they want their drug, they cannot function without their run... I used to be like this during my first year or so of running. Now I'm like oh you poor thing... there is more to life than just running. An addiction is an addiction, no matter what. I now prefer to be balanced, not as fast but in good health and not injured. At least I can continue getting my fix rather than raging because I'm sidelined AGAIN due to a recurring injury.

But it's heart warming to see so many people are picking up this wonderful sport. I sincerely hope that many will transfer this love of running to their children so they can in turn become good runners and continue the cycle of good health caused by exercise. So bring on the runners high! What a feeling!!!