Runner's High: is it real?

[Belle Du Jour]

If so, how can I get it? I would like to try to start running again at some point, but I have to admit that I HATED running. I never got that endorphin high. Was I doing something wrong? Maybe I didn't run long enough? Who experiences runner's high?

[kbragg]

I hated running while in the Army, but I was in the best shape of my life when I did it. Check out www.coolrunning.com. I'm doing the Couch To 5k program which slowly over 9 weeks builds you up to running a 5k straight through without wanting to die:lachen:

[mw138]

If so, how can I get it? I would like to try to start running again at some point, but I have to admit that I HATED running. I never got that endorphin high. Was I doing something wrong? Maybe I didn't run long enough? Who experiences runner's high?

I'm not a runner, but I do participate in "basic training" classes at the gym. Our teacher pushes us so hard that by the time we're finished I do have the sensation of being "high". It's weird because I feel like I'm about to fall out during the workout, but afterwards I'm energized and feel as though I could do it all over again. I guess when your body is pushed far enough, you'll release enough endorphins to feel high.

[SplashAtl]

I hated running while in the Army, but I was in the best shape of my life when I did it. Check out www.coolrunning.com. I'm doing the Couch To 5k program which slowly over 9 weeks builds you up to running a 5k straight through without wanting to die:lachen:

This is exactly how I feel. When I a running I do not like it. When I am finished I feel so good. I don't think I will ever truly like running. I LOVE how my body feels and looks when I do run. My body gets use to running and I crave it when I don't. It's really wierd.

[bluwatersoul]

this is me and running. cant live with it cant live without. NOTHING gives me results like healthy doses of running. I literally get depressed if I go too long without running, but most times while I am doing it I am cussing and huffing my way through the miles.

The most accurate depiction for me has been the New Balance ad - love/hate..this is the new balance.

About the high - its real for me, although alot of runners will tell you that it is fleeting. I had a greta high this sunday I did 5 miles in the freezing cold and I was having a party on my mp3 player, felt more like I was dancing than running. I have been in a great mood since then....

[discobiscuits]

For me, runner's high is 100% true. I get it every time I run. I love the feeling.

[poookie]

i don't know about runner's high, but i get a similar feeling the last few minutes of my workout on the exercise bike. every part of my body feels super-relaxed, and i get this really neat sort of high... and everything feels goooooooooooooooood. like every pedal makes me happy.

[BrooklynSouth]

Never had a runner's high..usually stopped before the adrenaline kicked in but I can tell you about the road biker's high. I have found I am not a cold weather biker-that breeze to the face is not worth it and oh how I miss getting on my bike and peddling for hours until I feel as though I can flyyyyyyyy. I now use my BIKE-O-VISION VIRTUAL REALITY dvds while striding on my elliptical and yes I do get a high from the workout..I refuse to be a Pillsbury dough girl when the weather breaks in '09.

[Oasis]

I think it's real. Last night I felt like I couldn've run for miles. It felt so awesome.

The only reason I stopped was because I couldn't feel my hands.

[natstar]

I def believe in the runner's high (released endorphins) At the beginning and close to midway point I have to really fight through to adjust to running-but once I fight through and keep going it def gets easier and it feels great. I also get cranky/depressed if I take off too many days w/out running.

ETA: a little OT but I find I run my best a get my runner's high quicker when I have had enough rest and good balanced meals for the day ( i workout in the evenings)

[metro_qt]

I get this floating feeling.... For me that's my runner's high... But I hate running so much

[Butterfly08]

Yes it's real. :yep: I don't get it every time, but when I had built up to hour runs on the treadmill, I remember once time I pushed to a 100 minute run (some of it was fast walking though :look:). Because I just couldn't stop. It felt that good. I find that I get the high when my body is better conditioned. I am out of shape again and I really gotta get back on it. Listening to my favorite music while running helps as well.

And like someone mentioned, running is a great anti-depressant. :drunk:

[Everything Zen]

Yeah it's true. :yep: The only problem is getting out the door... :ohwell:
to take the first step... :sad:
in the middle of winter... :perplexed

The perfect love/hate relationship. :rolleyes:

[Oasis]

^^^That's my problem. It takes me forever to actually get out the door and do it.

But once I actually get going, it's all gravy from there.

[kbragg]

^^^That's my problem. It takes me forever to actually get out the door and do it.

But once I actually get going, it's all gravy from there.

See, I'm so glad I have a treadmill:lachen:See I'll be in great shape when the weather is optimal for running, so I'll look cute and not like a jiggly moose about to die:lachen:

[kbragg]

Oh, I get the high on my regular workouts which is one reason why I love longer cardio sessions (30-45 minutes). I feel like I can do anything after a good workout!:yep:

[FAMUDva]

Although I've never had it, I've been assured by my co-workers who run that it's very real. One told me that she gets her "runner's high" around mile 3-5. The longest I've ever run is 5 miles, so maybe that's why I've never felt it...:look:

I'm hoping to start back running and move from my 5-8Ks to at least half marathons. Maybe I'll feel it then :)

[MekyakaKinkerbelle]

Runner's high is definitely real. And kicks in at different distances for different people. It's not something you can "just get". You have to be relatively fit to begin with (again, I say relatively) and the endorphins usually kick in after your body undergoing some sort of intensity.

For me, I don't get any high running less than 5 miles. If I get over 5, then I can usually push it to 7 or 8, and that's when I'll get a runner's high and can take it to about 12 or 15 miles or so.

A runner's high usually takes you over the wall and allows you to go longer distances, vs. the good feeling you get in general from just working out and having accomplished an activity. This is why you hear about runner's high with marathoners and long distance runners, not people running for exercise...again, this is usually how/what happens. Just don't want people to confuse the feeling of accomplishment with runner's high.

[Belle Du Jour]

Thanks for sharing! I'm so out of cardiovascular conditioning that it will take me a while to build up to that point where I might get the high. I think when I used to run, the most I'd do was 2-3 miles, so that's probably why I never got the high. Ah well. . .

[kbragg]

Guess I'll never get high cuz I'll be darned if I run 12 miles anywhere when I have a perfectly useful minivan:lachen: