Ex-marathon, half runner here. I miss running. But that first 1 1/2-2 miles always HURT!! I did experience the “high” a few rare times. Today, paddle boarding is my thing. No high - but I am able to completely relax, find joy in the scenery (I take the rivers) and go to a happy place. No euphoria, but I feel good. That’s enough for me to keep coming back!
Well, we might all have different definitions of “high” - sounds like you’re experiencing something special when you are paddle boarding. What ever keeps you engaged, right?
Encouraging people with mental health challenges to exercise is a very common thing because it's "supposed" to make you feel better. I for one have never found any endorphin effects from exercising no matter the intensity. I do, however, enjoy the feeling of being strong and weight lifting is my main form of exercise, apart from walking. I've been lifting since my early 20s. No real endorphin rush, except when the strong guys in the gym come up and say "wow, you're really strong!"
Hi Kristen, I ran competitvely for 15 years and for health many more, now I walk. The runners high is real but like you found out, rare. People who talk about "achieving" this high a lot, never had one. Good to hear you found your own or enhanced high with yoga. Not for me, but good for thee! Thanks for sharing....
Yeah, I still do a lot of walking & occasionally hiking. I just don’t think I loved running enough to do it my whole life. But, it definitely did a lot for me at the time - even if I never got the high. Thank you for reading!
Ex-marathon, half runner here. I miss running. But that first 1 1/2-2 miles always HURT!! I did experience the “high” a few rare times. Today, paddle boarding is my thing. No high - but I am able to completely relax, find joy in the scenery (I take the rivers) and go to a happy place. No euphoria, but I feel good. That’s enough for me to keep coming back!
Well, we might all have different definitions of “high” - sounds like you’re experiencing something special when you are paddle boarding. What ever keeps you engaged, right?
True!!! I've tried meditation and yoga - I failed.
Encouraging people with mental health challenges to exercise is a very common thing because it's "supposed" to make you feel better. I for one have never found any endorphin effects from exercising no matter the intensity. I do, however, enjoy the feeling of being strong and weight lifting is my main form of exercise, apart from walking. I've been lifting since my early 20s. No real endorphin rush, except when the strong guys in the gym come up and say "wow, you're really strong!"
Gotta say getting compliments from big gym guys is close to a high, right?
Yeah, it's pretty sweet!
Yeah, I used to have those guys come up to me to correct my form - never compliment. That’s pretty bad-ass!
Hi Kristen, I ran competitvely for 15 years and for health many more, now I walk. The runners high is real but like you found out, rare. People who talk about "achieving" this high a lot, never had one. Good to hear you found your own or enhanced high with yoga. Not for me, but good for thee! Thanks for sharing....
Yeah, I still do a lot of walking & occasionally hiking. I just don’t think I loved running enough to do it my whole life. But, it definitely did a lot for me at the time - even if I never got the high. Thank you for reading!