The Mirage of Runner's High

A story of the author's pursuit of runner's high and where that pursuit has led him.

                                    The Mirage of Runner's High

The first time I ran at a good pace for forty minutes after having run a couple of weeks I could not believe how good I felt.  Naturally, I thought it was good for my physical fitness.  There was no question it was good for my mental well being.

I was in college at the time and I noticed it was a great reliever from the stress of exams and papers.  I was sure the more I did the better I would feel, and that I was destined to run the rest of my life.

I kept increasing my mileage.  I added sprints.  The highs got better and better.

Then suddenly after three years of this I got burnt out.  I was reluctant to admit it at the time, but the whole experience of running had turned flat.

I desperately attempted to work even harder for my highs, but I found they eluded me.  Meanwhile, I was having to cope with injuries and boredom.

After about five years I learned to run moderately with less expectation.  Once in a while I would feel pretty good, but I was able to let it go.

I learned much later that this was actually better for my health and wellbeing than piling on the mileage and speed.

Now I'm in my fifties.  I run a couple times a week and walk fast uphill and do stairs on the other days.

I sometimes just walk fast. 

Creative thoughts come to mind even when I'm just walking.  Life is good--and when I want a high I meditate for twenty minutes in the evening.

Runner's high no longer eludes me now that I am not straining toward it.