What is this runner’s high and how do I get it?

Pittgirl3 · July 2020

So It’s hard for me to find the motivation to do much of anything, let alone workout. I enjoy working out from time to time, but I have never experienced this so-called “runner’s high”. Is there a cheat code I’m missing? Do I have to jump up twice and squat down? How do I achieve this mythical, wondrous feeling?

threeyears2024 · July 2020

I am not sure about runner's high but I have been working out for a few days now and I just want my days to end and the new day to start so that I can work out the next day. Its the strength or being able to do new things that makes me excited. I am a geneticist and have been a curious and an optimistic person since early life. Maybe that's why. I would suggest, don't think about what you would get out of the exercise but just do it because it's a good thing for your body and your health in general. That's how you do it regularly and results will come gradually in the process.

Sorry too big a rant.

Jthanmyfitnesspal · July 2020

For me, the high comes after the run and the cooldown. I feel so much more relaxed than if I hadn't run. It is a bit of a buzz, actually.

During the run, you are often arguing with yourself to keep going. As you run more, you find that your body resists less. It really took more than a year of regular running for me to get used to it, and I still have days when I want to stop!

Making a commitment to be active every day is pretty good. Then give yourself a lot of alternatives, including very easy ones, and just keep going!

RunsWithBees · July 2020

I’ve been running for 6+ years and have had only a handful of times I can say I truly experienced a runners high. I have found no way to replicate the high on demand, I guess the planets need to be aligned just right or something

But the common theme for each time was that I had been running at a steady fast pace for at least 45 minutes straight. It’s never occurred at less than 45 minutes and never after more than an hour of running in my case, and it lasts only a few seconds to maybe 2 minutes. It’s an elusive yet unforgettable experience, at least for me. But I run because I love running, not because I’m chasing a high so if it happens, that’s just a bonus

KrissDotCom · July 2020

When i would run 5k it was always about 20 min in of the 30 min and it was like i didnt have to struggle and didnt feel like stopping and often kept running longer

Plasicage · July 2020

I experience it only on treadmill runs. Personally for me I would have to be at speeds greater than 6.8mph for 40 minutes. If I do intervals, it doesn't kick in. Outdoors doesn't work either for me because it's lights, traffic, pedestrians so i slow down and pick up again. So it's continuous effort at faster pace. That's just my experience.

moonangel12 · July 2020

Personally, I think there are a couple/few types of “runner’s high” that are referenced using the same term, but meaning very different things. I have experienced at least 3 that I can distinguish and verbalize.

I know the feeling @Jthanmyfitnesspal is talking about, and I do think people can be addicted to running! I feel “clean” after a run - my lungs feel fresh, my body pleasantly tired, mentally and emotionally much clearer and refreshed. No matter how bad the run was, I am always glad I ran, and I rarely dread the next run (heeellloooo summer heat and humidity, I loathe you!)

A second type - I was listening to a running coach podcast and she cautioned against upping your mileage too much too soon because the “feel good” effects/hormones/chemicals during a longer run can mask any pain that would usually be a warning sign from your body to your brain. I have also experienced this! Thankfully mine was short term knee pain, nagged me for a little while but with care and attention it eased up in a week or two. Unfortunately the podcast author/coach actually ran through a stress fracture and was sidelined for a while. She truly didn’t feel it... until she stopped.

Third, the longed for “runner’s high” unicorn. The run that feels amazing, everything is in tune, your breathing is easy, stride hits just right every time, and you feel like you are flying instead of pounding out the miles. Afterwards, you have an urge to scream from the roof tops how amazing you feel! This one I have had once, probably a year or more ago, and I SO wish I could replicate it because it was ah-mazing!

Dogmom1978 · July 2020

Do you even enjoy running? If you do, excellent! If you don’t, pick something else you DO enjoy. Maybe you like hiking, dancing, biking, walking, etc.

If you don’t enjoy it, it’s going to be very challenging to stick with it.

I am currently working on C25K, but I am redoing week 1 and I might repeat each week once before progressing to the next week. I worry that it might get too hard too fast otherwise.

PAV8888 · July 2020

I don't know about runner's high... but I know that if after a couple of hours of walking I throw my puppy** into the river, she comes out and starts running in circles like crazy into total Zoomies mode while I keep shovelling treats her way and in danger of losing fingers while doing so!

I am sure she thinks of that as a K9-high!

**puppy is a relative term, said mutt is probably 7 or 8 years old"

Jacq_qui · July 2020

Don't know about a runners high, but when I'm out with the headphones on walking I seldom want to come home. I could easily walk twice as far as I do if I had the time/didn't have to return for work/kids/dinner etc . Pretty much doing anything with music increases my enjoyment of something though.

moonangel12 · July 2020

Wanted to add something to my earlier post, but MFP went weird.

I think it’s hard to find that sweet spot in the early days/weeks/months of running. I enjoy running so much better now that I can just run. It’s much more enjoyable when you can just turn off the brain and GO. My early runs were HARD (C25K), I was in terrible shape, had extra pounds, my stride was all wrong, shin splints, I felt like I was dying, and the whispers of defeat were lurking around each corner. I had to think about every step, every breath, listening out for each chime of the app. Now? I just go. I can tune out the world and just run. Some days it’s 20/30 minutes, but lately I have been able to go >an hour! I can look around, take in the scenery, process my thoughts and emotions, pray, etc. depending on the day and circumstances. A 5k used to feel like a far reaching goal, I wasn’t sure I would ever be able to do it, especially after heaving with just 30 seconds to a minute of jogging, but now it’s my “easy” run. Never would have imagined THAT! I am still not fast, but I don’t care. I am doing it!

But like @slunburg pointed out, if you don’t enjoy it, maybe find something you like better? Dreading exercise likely won’t make for long term commitment, unless you are a glutton for punishment. Or maybe find a fun training app to take you mind off of it? Listen to an audio book? Favorite podcast?

deputy_randolph · July 2020

I used to run and never experienced a "high." However, I have experienced a "high" when lifting...between adrenaline and maybe a lack of oxygen and tight weight belt!

spiriteagle99 · July 2020

My most common high comes after the run, as stated above. There is a feeling of serenity and deep contentment, your basic warm fuzzies. Occasionally I get the other kind, where I am in the flow and running feels effortless. The first is a frequent occurrence, the second is rare but happens often enough to keep me consistent.

Both are hard to come by when you are a new runner. Running in heat and humidity they are even more scarce. Most of my runs at the moment feel like work. I know though, that when it cools off, running outside will feel good again and I will experience joy once more.

Hanibanani2020 · July 2020

I get it after I hit the wall and just keep going through it.

Shortgirlrunning · July 2020

I agree with those that said it’s usually something I feel after the run. Occasionally I hit that runner’s high on the actual run where I feel light and awesome and just in the zone with my running.

I also enjoy my running a lot more when I have a race I’m training for.

scarlett_k · July 2020

I don't get a runner's high but I do definitely get "runner's alleviation of general malaise and anxiety on a day to day basis" which isn't as catchy but I'll take it. I am prone to depression and anxiety is something I battle with all day every day so any relief is most welcome.

Jacq_qui · July 2020

deputy_randolph wrote: »

I used to run and never experienced a "high." However, I have experienced a "high" when lifting...between adrenaline and maybe a lack of oxygen and tight weight belt!

That's impressive. I mostly feel light headed or the general need to sit down after a heavy deadlift!

kshama2001 · July 2020

jacqQ2017 wrote: »

Don't know about a runners high, but when I'm out with the headphones on walking I seldom want to come home. I could easily walk twice as far as I do if I had the time/didn't have to return for work/kids/dinner etc . Pretty much doing anything with music increases my enjoyment of something though.

I don't run, but do get the high during long walks in the woods. I've noticed that it is more likely if I am listening to music rather than the news or a podcast. So I listen to words the first half, and switch to music on the way back. I think it takes about 45 minutes for the high to kick in.

Normally my walks are on my lunch break. I hear you about not wanting to come back

kimny72 · July 2020

I have never experienced a runners high so I settle for a brisk walker's satisfaction

The closest I have had myself is after heavy lifting, when I'm stretching out, I feel like Wonder Woman.

Duck_Puddle · July 2020

I have PTSD and my anxiety runs pretty high on a consistent basis. My runner’s “high” happens after long runs where I’ve finally thought all the thoughts and have nothing left think and my brain feels like smoke rising from the ashes-and there’s space in my brain. My body is typically also exhausted and settled. It’s a calmness that I don’t ever experience otherwise. There is a bit of a fuzziness physically-but not what I would consider a “high” like chemically-induced “highs”. But it’s certainly not “normal” and not a negative sensation either. My primary joy is the overall sense of calmness and space.

I experience it pretty consistently if I run for at least a couple of hours at a steady, comfortable pace where I’m not trying to push anything and I’m not breaking my rhythm with run/walk or varying speeds of running.

A second kind of experience isn’t the same kind of “high” but sometimes I have runs where I feel like I could go forever. Everything is clicking, moving feels effortless, breathing is easy and free-the running gods are smiling down on me. If that’s going to happen, it typically kicks in about an hour in to the run. This is far more elusive though and I have no idea why it happens-I just appreciate when it does.

What is this runner’s high and how do I get it?

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