Ever heard of it? If you've not experienced it yourself, you most assuredly believe it to be a myth. Who feels good from running, while running? Well, actually, lots of people. But not everyone gets the high and few get it each and every time. I have had it. It's real, and it's spectacular. Any Seinfeld fans out there? Anyway, for those of you who are not familiar, the medical definition as described by Merriam-Webster, is a feeling of euphoria that is experienced by some individuals engaged in strenuous running and that is held to be associated with the release of endorphins by the brain. New research shows that "endorphins are too large to pass the blood-brain barrier quickly, which means it's not very likely they'd have direct effects on the brain." They do, however, work to dull or dampen the pain in your muscles. Researchers at the University of Heidelberg believe that high feeling is due to endocannabinoids, which are a type of chemical released by the body during exercise and have a similar impact to cannabis. Hence, the edge is taken off during physical activity. The idea is that you are most likely to get it during a long and continuous bout of cardio exercise, specifically one that's rhythmical. I have gotten it while running on trails and doing the elliptical at the gym. I described it to my client today and I will try to describe it to you. It's usually between about 26-28 minutes into the workout, although today it was more like 16. I have wanted to stop at least once at this point, but remind myself I have done it before and can do it again. My playlist keeps me going. Side note, if you don't have a good playlist, you're doing it wrong. The right song/s can really help you get over that hump to finish your workout when you need it the most. I can feel when it's about to happen. I start to feel my face get cool and then my whole head feels like it's light and it's floating, and the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. I get goosebumps all over my upper body. My legs are still doing all the work, so they aren't as affected by this feeling of lightness, but they don't feel heavy. I smile. I can't help but smile. And then I feel myself pushing harder with less effort. I am able to go another ten minutes, but moderately. That's the idea. I'm not pushing myself harder than I can go, but I am pushing myself past that level of comfort I so cherish. But for those two minutes or so of utter elation, I am the strongest I have ever been. I get it more frequently now, because I know my formula. I know the activity and the exertion required. I know which song helps get me there and which part of it. High Hopes by Panic at the Disco, by the way. Toward the end, during the chorus when the music fades out, and Brendon Urie is hitting those high notes with such intensity, and then the drums kick in and they jam and so do I. It's beautiful and it's natural and it's safe. Maybe you can't run or running isn't your thing. I like the elliptical because it takes pressure off of my joints and I'm able to use my body in ways that would be much less comfortable, and maybe even painful, on a treadmill or solid ground. That's also why I like trail running. It's much more gentle on your joints if you do it right. For people who really have issues with their joints, swimming could probably get you there. I don't know for sure. I haven't tried it. I bet you can get it on a bike. I'm curious as to how you get it, if you do, and when.
That's my story. What's yours? Thanks for reading. Peace and love.
-Steph
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