Runner's High
Hovering between the delicate threshold between myth and fact is that much chased-after phenomenon: the Runner’s High. In simple terms, a Runner’s High is a powerful feeling of euphoria felt while running. However, the explanation for this occurrence is still a highly debated one among sports enthusiasts, experts, scientists, and even the media; its actual existence is constantly refuted or affirmed.
What exactly is a Runner’s High? There is still much deliberation and many tests to be done before a truly general definition of Runner’s High can be established. At present, the only basis for this event are the numerous similar personal accounts of those who have actually gone through it firsthand. Some describe it as a state when the body is working to its maximum potential, which eventually leads to an elevated state of mind. Others say that hitting this stage feels like a “head rush” which builds up for the next 5-10 minutes, coupled with the intense feeling of a natural rhythm between both the body and its surroundings, comparable to being in a certain meditative state. Runner’s High varies between athletes, its intensity depending on the difficulty and length of one’s workout, the condition of the athlete’s body, and the environmental stimuli around him or her.
When the body is subjected to stress, the mind reacts accordingly. During a particularly strenuous exercise session, a person experiences pain as a result of oxygen depletion and muscle strain. To alleviate it, the brain releases chemicals called endorphins, which are members of a cluster of opiate proteins that can be found naturally in the brain. These substances contain pain-relieving properties which help ease stress. Endorphins are assumed to be responsible for the “high” in Runner’s High. Elevated levels of endorphins released by the brain may explain the positive mood changes which occur when running, and the amplified resistance to pain during a workout. When running, an intimate bond between the body and the mind occurs. In fact, it has been stated that the mind takes over for the body during the event when the body has already passed beyond the threshold of its physical capacity. When this happens and the endorphin levels increase, a unique experience happens, in this case, the so-called Runner’s High.
A Runner’s High is a fusion between an engaging environment and a body functioning beyond its full potential; this gives rise to a unique feeling of superior physical efficacy and invincibility. Whatever the explanation may be for this distinctively remarkable experience, there is no doubt that Runner’s High is as close to athletic nirvana as an individual could get.
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