Runners High

I haven't really enjoyed working out in the gym because it appears that no other aerobic exercise is able to produce the runners high that i have experienced. So in every activity i look to get that high. Last night i tried a spinning class at the gym. And i realized that it came close to feeling of a runners high. Spinning has a high aerobic intensity and one can make it as hard as they want. And it really got my heart pumping. While talking to Alain a couple of days ago i was telling him that my heart rate is high when i swim and he found that interesting as he was mentioning that swimming is not know as a high aerobic exercise. I realize that my heart rate is high during swimming because i haven't learned to breathe well. So the effort is because of the lack of proper breathing rather than because of pushing certain muscles. On the other hand, the cycling does gets you going.

So i went back to the gym for another cycling class . And that too early morning ( 6.30 am) i went back to experience the runners high...and again it was close....it felt good...i put a lot of effort and i felt very satisfied. After a 45 minute class i was so pumped up that i participated in a 45 abdominal crunch class and i was still pumped so ended doing an hour of weights. So today was similar to a long run day ( 16 miles or so). I have decided that I am going to spend the same amount of time in the gym as i would if i was running. That way my body gets used to working out for long periods of time.

I feel really good today. Waking up early, I feel i have accomplished so much already. And it is not even noon.... I am so looking forward to running soon....


I concur with Sasha Azevendo, a runner athlete who said "I run because it's my passion, and not just a sport. Every time I walk out the door, I know why I'm going where I'm going and I'm already focused on that special place where I find my peace and solitude. Running, to me, is more than just a physical exercise...it's a consistent reward for victory!"