Runner’s High - Runner’s Euphoria

I don’t run long distance a lot these days, but I certainly experience “something high” even with 5 mile running. Not all the time and not all to the same intensity, but quite a lot and quite “high”. I actually come to enjoy running while my knees might be in pain as if the mood change has raised tolerance against pain. It feels refreshing and energetic, and I feel joy of jumping whenever I step each foot ahead.

Like many other runners, I can probably call this “runner’s high”. But it’s true that runner’s high has been debated for a long time and yet not proven. But some researchers showed that endorphins are released in certain area of brain when body is put under certain stress such as long distance jogging, and it seems endorphins are involved with runner’s spiritual rise to top of the world.

But there has not been an agreement regarding what the state of euphoria is and how the runner feels at the moment of euphoria. To me, “runner’s high” seems like a unique, personal and special feelings of something “great” caused by increase of endorphins and possibly by the joy of achievement as well during long lasting exercise. At this state, my mind takes in charge of running rather than my body does, and make it possible keep it going. It’s such a positive energy flow!

I agree with those who say “runner’s high” may have something with environmental stimulus because I feel this state a lot more often when I run outside with luxury of pleasant weather. It’s so hard to run on the treadmill for more than 30 minutes. When it rains or it’s severely cold, I hardly go out and run even with protective gears. I think my mind can take the joy of running a lot easier when it’s bright enough and cool / breezy enough.

* endorphins: endorphin is made from two words “endogenous” and “morphine”. The word endogenous means “growing or developing within (the body)” and morphine is an addictive substance extracted from opium, mainly used in medicine.