I was talking to one of my friends last night, and he was telling how he learned in one of his classes that runner become so into their runs that they actually get a running high, and it drives them to go even further. Can someone explain this in more detail to me?

A runners high is hard to describe and is easier when you experience it yourself. You get a good pace and rhythm, and feel as if you can run forever. Nothing hurts, and you don't feel like your dogging it. Nothing much more to explain than that. You can LOSE your running high in a split second though if you stop running or get distracted by something.

Keep running, and you'll experience it. Remember, this has to be a part of your lifestyle, and not just something that you do.

The surest way for me to get that kind of high is do my run (currently a mile and a half) and then sprint an extra lap or two. Maybe it's just me, but it works every time.

This is why people get hooked on running and what has become known as "runners high". Really interesting for those that didnt know this already:


When you cycle, swim, run, or carry out any other form of strenuous endurance exercise, your pituitary gland releases substantial quantities of 'endorphins', chemicals which can block sensations of pain and produce overall feelings of euphoria. Endorphins are known to attach to 'receptors' on the outer surfaces of brain cells, acting like chemical keys which fit into locks. If enough endorphin is inserted into the outer 'keyhole' of a nerve cell, that cell is unlikely to convey pain messages to the conscious part of the brain.

Endorphins were discovered almost by accident in the 1970s when scientists were carrying out research on drug addiction. Investigators had wondered for years why the human brain contained receptors for chemicals produced by the poppy plant, and they eventually discovered why: the brain produces its own set of neurochemicals which are actually far more potent than morphine, opium, and heroin but share the same neural receptors with these drugs
The naturally produced brain chemicals, called the endorphins and enkephalins, are released in times of stress. They can make a mangled accident victim as serene as a Buddhist monk, and they can also make an athlete feel great after an extremely vigorous workout. The latter effect is sometimes referred to as the 'runner's high', and the post-exercise surge in endorphins helps to explain why many exercisers seem to become addicted to their sport. Their Workouts become 'fixes' which mask the pain of everyday living, and even injuries or illnesses can't stop the training process because the athlete is relentlessly searching for endorphin-induced mood elevations.

A runners high is also a result of the body using the diaphragm as the primary muscle for respiration. Most people are very much "chest breathers" instead of "belly breathers". This switch to diaphragmatic breathing is noted as the onset of the "second wind" and a large factor in creating the runner's high.

Interestingly enough, lately there has been some doubt about the exact role of endorphines. No one contests that they are indeed a critical factor, but the exact process is under scrutiny these days.

Nate

Whatever it is I know it happens to me, though not every time and not untill after 3 miles. It feels like your running on a slight down slop when it happens.

The body does amazing things. A friend of mine always cries at the end of a marathon for some reason or even during. I always laughed at him. Then during a couple of marathons that I have done I was so tired and felt like I was about to drop out and I started balling like a baby, then I got a surge of energy afterwards and finished with a decent time. It has happened a couple of times. I think your body releases something to combat the pain. Sometimes though if you go pass the high it is quite painful but it eventually returns if you run far enough. Good luck on getting high...haha.

thanks for clearing that up, I'm still trying to displine myself. I know that i can run further then what im letting myself, but i guess it will come with time. thanks a lot

I never really thought of it as a high. I just kinda' lose myself in my thoughts as I run and next thing I know, I've lost count as to how far I've gone. But as said, just like that I snap to and that's when I feel it. Then when I stop my legs don't want to and it feels as if I am walking on a treadmill (hope I spelled that right)....

I've only gotten a really good high once (but I didn't inhale...) like sledge said, just cruzin along and ahhhhhhh, isn't this nice? Maybe I'll go another mile or 2.

Ran 8 1/2 miles once when I was only planning on a 10k. It wasn't just a runner's high, I was stoned on that miraculous feeling. Like MoGonnaBeAPJ said, it can be very assictive. That was THE day I fell in love with running.

LOL. I did something on Saturday morning that is not recommended but I was definitely on the runners high. I had been drinking all of friday night and couldnt get to sleep so I ended up lacing up my sneakers and hit the street at 0430. When I first started running I didnt have great balance and thought it might have been a bad idea. But after my first mile or so I was wide awake and sober and I ended up running 9.6 miles according to my cars odometer. I dont know if it was the alcohol or what but my heart rate was steady and never got fast, I was singing along to my music and I felt like I could have run a freaking marathon. Maybe I should run drunk more often...LOL

Anyone ever get it during swimming? I would be able to fin and feel like i could fall asleep finning and go on for any amount of distance. so was I on a "running high?"

Well Im no expert on these things but I get that way everytime I fin in the pool. But I dont think its a high I think since its so damn long and boring that one could fall asleep, I know I could.

One thought on the runner's high: I've found that it gets harder to achieve the better shape you get into. When I started running years ago, I could get a runner's high by sprinting at the end of a 3 mile run. Now it take me 10-15 miles at a decent pace to stir up a nice buzz. Makes me sound like an addict... Never managed to achieve it while swimming, though.

I've never gotten a "high" while running. But when I used to swim distance competativly after 200 or 300 meters I would just phase out and swim. It's much odder when you're swimming because you also do flip turns while on this "high" which is a totally sureal feeling that I can't describe.

One time during a competition I was swimming a 500m, not long at all, but just long enough to attain a high, anyways, when I made my last flip turn and headed down on my final lap I wasn't even thinking and I flipped at the other end of the pool and somebody had to jump in the pool and stop me.

Finished a 50k trail run this weekend. It was lots of hills, trails, and rocks. Took me over seven hours. I got high several times. But now I am so sore it hurst to fart. But it was so awesome to push it. Just keep pushing and eventually you become numb and the endorphins kick in.

lol yah do they make mp3 players for swimming? i hope so after 1500 meters i get a headache from bein so bored

They do make swimming mp3 players. I have tried a few of them, they have a radio, but the reception gets crappy underwater. The mp3 player works but it is extremely difficult to get a good a seal on the headphones. What I have found out is that you end out wearing a swimmers cap to get a good seal so you can hear the music. But then you get a headache from the cap compressing your skull. Goodluck, I did not like them at all, here is a website for them, if this thread continues I would suggest going to the swimming section.
http://www.waterproofmusic.com/

This so called "swimming high" that was mentioned is for real. I've been a competetive swimmer for over 16 years and I've only experienced it a handful of times...all when we were doing long sets. But it was incredible. We were doing a set of 10 x 400 meter repeats at around a 6 min interval, which is a good clip for a long course pool. But on every one, I felt like I could have gone forever at a really fast pace...we were getting about 40 seconds rest between 400s. The other time I can remember, we were training in Puerto Rico and I was doing 200 meter breaststroke repeats for time pretty much effortlessly. On my fastest one, I came very close to breaking a personal best time in practice. Thats my testimony to the endorphin thing. Makes me miss swimming a lot. :-( Fortunately, running is a good alternative (though it is a lot tougher on your body than swimming) if you are searching for this high.