There’s an underrated incentive to being active that you probably not thought of: Runner’s high.
But what exactly is it?
I could plainly give you the scientific answer about endorphines, but it’s my belief it’s not so black and white, there’s nuance and depth a definition alone can’t deliver.
So, I asked a few people what they think of the term- here is what they had to say.
Friend 1:
‘It’s the feeling of feeling better than everyone else.’
Our conversation can be summed with that quote really, and honestly fair enough I appreciate the no-beating-around-the-bush honesty - many probably think but won’t say. I’ve known him to be a straight shooter and so not surprised. In terms of running he’s done a half marathon here and there so I trust his running credentials.
This quote was funnily enough set up from the scene he sets where he is on a run and he sees people ice cream indulging whilst he’s grafting.
He continues by explaining how the feeling is because you’re doing something to better yourself, that calls you out of your comfort zone. As of course, it’s not something you really want to do.
I understood it therefore as this - the actualization of something thought lofty, and that ensuing rush that if that was possible, what else is? The landing of the moon that unlocks the dare for Mars.
I’ll have some of that please. I have my fair share of lofty goals; I believe we all do unless we’re too scared to admit it, but it will always exists somewhere.
Doubling down on his thesis, he remarks that it boils down to surprising yourself; its your mind that limits your body. You push past, keep going and with repetition you get there, everybody’s capable.
And now to me its apparent the reason why he loves running, it clears his mind - something we all want in this noisy world.
Friend 2
‘The point you feel no pain’
I met this person for the first time when I asked her ‘what do you think runner’s high is?’ The question naturally came once she shared she’s a pending PT with ambition to train people before work as a manager. So, being in the midst of writing this article, my eyes lit up. She also candidly shared her journey of competing in this years London Marathon calling it ‘the worst, best thing ever.’
However, her answer surprised me. She alluded to the idea that, for some, runner’s high is really just masking for runner’s ego.
She describes how her experience of some run clubs she’s been to have been with some of your typical tech and finance bros who although are good are not Team GB good and in this liminal space they traverse with an air of arrogance bordering a superiority complex…
I suppose its unsurprising the confidence it gives you, would like any achievement, comes with the temptation of arrogance.
But the headline has to be when she described Runner’s high as ‘the point you feel no pain.’ What a lovely ideal of what we would all like to feel when running.
When running, there’s a variety of possible pains happening everywhere all at once: stitch, aching ankles, shin splints, short breath, lactic acid, tight hips and a breathless desperation to stop. So, to glide free of that weight, that must feel euphoric.
Though I’d wonder if the pain is really gone or is it that your mind, in that moment, is strong enough to fade the feeling to the background?
Perhaps proving the presence of pain is not always a sign to pivot back to comfort.
Friend 3:
‘Runners high comes from doing what you set out to do’
This friend answers to the question was well very logical, the stuff of what I would call meat and potatoes. We did later get into the abstract reasons, the stuff below the surface- the things that touch the soul- but I think I’ll save that for a next post.
She first answered “Yes scientifically speaking. I’m sure there is a science behind it".
I nod, then she adds “Not every time you run. Certain days your body isn’t going to feel it. I don’t know if I’ve experienced or if it’s more a sense of achievement of breaking a goal. For instance I’m gonna do a 5k, and its completing that thing you were gonna do, beating your time.”
She explains her strategy when running is simply to do better than last time. I dig deeper asking how it felt in the moment, crossing the threshold of the goal.
Her voice bubbles with pride, “The feeling was like a rush of I did that. I was impressed with myself, wow I’m an athlete. I’m so athletic, this just comes so naturally to me!”
She further explains that when you’re new to something you make more leaps of progress- like the exponential growth chart, it wanes with time.
I asked “That progress, what did it teach you about yourself?”
“I can do it. When the conversation came up of running. I said it’s not for me, I was one of those people. I must’ve tried it and got out of breath and said it’s not for me” she replies.
I’m sure many can relate to that. I for one can. I still remember dreading the annual cross country runs in the park in my school. It was part of the house competitions we all had to do. By the time I crossed the finish line I was introduced to a level of exhaustion I didn’t think possible.
She continues “yes of course the first time you do it you’re gonna be out of breath. But what I learned about it is that I can do it. And if I started to do it again I could extend the distance. And when you look at people doing marathons you think no I can’t do it but it’s just training. I can do what I put my mind to.”
I chime in that it must be more a mental thing.
Referring now to her inner dialogue she adds. ‘Why am I doing this? I could be chilling.’
I admire what she said next which was ‘okay maybe I’ll slow my pace down a bit if I’m struggling but I’m not gonna stop.’
That right there cements that running is just as much an exercise for the mind as it is for the body.
MY TAKE
So, the real answer you might now be looking for is this: runner's high is a brief, short-term state of euphoria, reduced anxiety, and a higher pain threshold that happens during or after prolonged, steady aerobic exercise.
Now if you ask me I think the legend is real. Although, I’ve only experienced it once on a treadmill…
It was a cold, dark winter evening, I had a cherry flavoured pre-workout shot and it was maybe the third time doing cardio in forever. At the time I liked to run with a quick pace to the duration of a song so this was what I measured for my progress, sort of like interval training. It was helpful as when I wanted to stop (which honestly didn’t take long) a quick glance at the time left on the song would be just about enough to hold on.
This day, something felt different after the first song, I felt good enough to say well.
‘I really ought to keep going, I’ve got more in the tank.’ Then after the second song ‘I said ‘Okay that’s rare I feel exhausted but I can keep going so let’s not stop now.’
Then the third song starts. I’m about 12 mins into a quite quick pace, now if anyone who’s a proper runner reads this you may do this in your sleep but for someone of my experience and muscle density this felt like a mix of striking gold and touching the clouds.
And then it hit, flow state. No word of a lie, I felt like I was the only one in the gym. Instead of my legs it was the muscle of my mind willing me on. The stuff of movies.
I broke the proverbial brick wall and charged down an endless road where stopping was at the leisure of my choosing. Then again, maybe I had an extra strong cherry pre-workout.
To learn more about this fascinating phenomenon, read this medically reviewed article from Johns Hopkins Medicine here , which explores the physiological mechanisms and endorphin release behind the well-known experience of a runner’s high.
