Runners High

Fudgam · Wed, March 3rd, 2004, 09:19 PM

I was just wondering if anyone here gets this on a regular basis. If you have, do you need to actually be in pain for the endorphines to kick in?(its the endorphines, right?) Or do you just need to run for a long time?

daveo · Wed, March 3rd, 2004, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fudgam

I was just wondering if anyone here gets this on a regular basis. If you have, do you need to actually be in pain for the endorphines to kick in?(its the endorphines, right?) Or do you just need to run for a long time?

I get it after my HIIT. I wouldn't be surprised if intensity plays a large part in the concentration of endorphines released. I also wouldn't say I'm in pain at all. I mean, my heart rate is high on my last HIIT session (90-100%) but after my cool-down period (4 min) I'm back to a reasonable, but elevated level. My legs aren't burning at that point, either.

It's probably just like every other chemical in your brain: completely personal!

teencraft · Wed, March 3rd, 2004, 09:35 PM

man wtf i never get endorphins, whenever I run or get back from weight training i feel angry, not happy...

ChrisAndNat · Wed, March 3rd, 2004, 09:39 PM

I felt kinda drunk around the 12 mile mark of the last half marathon i did?

not sure if thats what is was...

teencraft · Wed, March 3rd, 2004, 09:42 PM

Man i would never do a marathon...THINK OF THE ATROPHY!!!

...oh yea and the fact that I have negative endurance.

ChrisAndNat · Wed, March 3rd, 2004, 09:46 PM

Well it was only a 1/2 marathon 13 miles..

But March 28th I am running a full marathon..

I bet ill be felling HellaDrunk by the time im done with that one!!

JetGirl · Wed, March 3rd, 2004, 10:05 PM

Whenever I run about 5km I get a nice runners high. I did a 5km race back in November and there were hundreds of people cheering us at the finish line .. it felt so, so awesome. I'm looking forward to getting back to my outdoor running when all the snow melts - I love that high!

teencraft · Wed, March 3rd, 2004, 10:12 PM

Good luck with that, chris!

Be sure to post your time when you do.

Fudgam · Wed, March 3rd, 2004, 10:45 PM

It would be great to do marathons. I felt pretty damn good when I ran 2.8 miles today. Now a marathon, it would be awesome if ever get that fit.

chicanerous · Wed, March 3rd, 2004, 11:55 PM

The other day I meant to do three continuous miles on some hilly, muddy terrain but I ended up doing six. I'm still not sure whether I got a high or if I was just feeling obsessive compulsive. (I ran around a wooded 1/3 mile loop six times, and around a 1/2 mile loop aptly named "the dips"

six times, and over a very long moderately steep hill twice to get from one place to the other. (1/2))

Two Step · Thu, March 4th, 2004, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fudgam

It would be great to do marathons. I felt pretty damn good when I ran 2.8 miles today. Now a marathon, it would be awesome if ever get that fit.

If you set a goal, there is only "when" and not "if"

davey_fl · Thu, March 4th, 2004, 10:31 AM

I've done 3 marathons now, and the endorphines kick in around the 8 mile mark, and are completely gone by about 24 miles. They say the wall comes around 20 miles, for me it's around 24, the last 2 miles are a killer. However, about 4-5 hours after the marathon I get an incredible feeling of the accomplishment I've just made!

mikey · Thu, March 4th, 2004, 11:26 AM

I love the high I get after finishing a race an being cheered on. Its been so long since I ran one. well i am on the right track again and am entered in the Sprirt of Gettsburg 5K run this July, I can't wait.

ChrisAndNat · Thu, March 4th, 2004, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davey_fl

I've done 3 marathons now, and the endorphines kick in around the 8 mile mark, and are completely gone by about 24 miles. They say the wall comes around 20 miles, for me it's around 24, the last 2 miles are a killer. However, about 4-5 hours after the marathon I get an incredible feeling of the accomplishment I've just made!

What kinda training were u doing for your marathons.

Last 1/2 marathon i did 10 consecutive 10min miles with no training.
I ran maybe 2-3 times (2-3) miles before the event, if you can count that as training.

This year I have been running a 5k about 3-5 times a week, followed by swimming and my other exercises.

I kinda feel like i should go on at least 1 - 2 long runs before the event on the 28th...

Thanks

--D-- · Thu, March 4th, 2004, 01:11 PM

I actually bought a book called A Beginner's Guide to Marathons last year and learned a lot about running. One of the fundamental concepts was training on a time/heart rate schedule instead of a distance schedule. I went from never running more than a mile (since high school 10 years ago) to finishing a marathon in the span of 4 months.

The best way to train is to get on a program that slowly increases the length of your long run (done once a week) to a peak distance of approximately 20 miles and then taper off for about 2 weeks before the marathon. That way you build up your endurance during the training and you spend the last two weeks recouperating for the event.

Now your marathon is coming up soon, so you don't have time to start a full program from beginning to end, but I would definitely add some long distance runs to your running schedule once a week to try and build up cardiovascular endurance. Remember to go relatively easy (no high intensity and tapper off the distance runs) the last week or two to make sure your leg muscles are fully recovered. You might want to find out if the event will have powergels available and try some for yourself during long run training if you haven't had them before. You want to make sure your stomach can handle them, otherwise you might experience a different kind of "runs" during the event.

BTW: I've never experienced runner's high. The best feelings I got from running was feelings of accomplishment.

davey_fl · Thu, March 4th, 2004, 04:55 PM

SVTChris: My training program has always been a 17 week program, assuming you have a base built up. The first week of running in the 17 week program would be:

Tues: 4 miles
Wed: 5 miles
Thur: 4 miles
Sat: 4 miles
Sun: 5 Miles

Always taking M and F off. Sundays is always your long run, and the distances hang around 25-35 miles a week for about the first 12 weeks. After that it increases so your long runs are additive, 12 miles, then 14, then 16, then 18, then 20. I can post the complete schedule if you like.... it's always worked for me. With this program you will run a 4hr marathon. If you're looking for better time it can be modified...

davey

ChrisAndNat · Thu, March 4th, 2004, 05:28 PM

Cool,

I have read some on training for these, I ran a 2:10 in the half with no training at all in the last Half marathon i did in december.

Now Im about 30 lbs lighter in much better shape im hoping to keep a similar pace for the full 26, but willing to bet i hit a wall somewhere in there.

Well see what happens i quess.

Kinda upset cuz 6 days after the marathon is a "corporate challege" 3.5 mile run I think i would be able to win.

oh well, still gonna do both.