Archive for November 30, 2009

The Science of Running

{ November 30, 2009 @ 4:31 pm } · { Uncategorized }
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I’ve been running for years. I’ve run in torrential rains, wind advisories, snow storms, heat waves, and temperatures below zero. I run when I’m injured. I run when I don’t have the time to run. I run when I’m sick. I run before the sun comes up, and I run at night after the sun has set.

To any normal person, I appear crazy.. and I completely agree. My addiction to running started years ago, and even I can’t explain it. Running has just become a part of my daily schedule, without it I feel incomplete, like a part of my day is missing. It calms me down, gives me a place to release the day’s stress so I can relax at night. I definitely feel a difference if I haven’t run that night. I feel restless and antsy at night, like I have extra pent up energy.

I crave running… but why? I have the hardest time explaining to non-runners what this addiction is like, mostly because I don’t know. I just need it.

I think it’s the “runner’s high” that keeps us coming back for more. This elusive high runner’s talk about is that feeling after a few miles when your body and mind are both stimulated. You feel good, everything is working together, and you reach a level of euphoria.

Endorphines are commonly associated with a runner’s high. Endorphine levels increase with exercise, and it is proposed that elevated endorphines contribute to the state of euphoria as well as the increased resistance to pain during exercise. Running adds tremendous stress to the body, which increases blood flow to the brain, and the endorphines released increase the body’s threshold for pain. This is possible explanation for the positive mood changes noted during a ‘runner’s high.’

The runner’s high is as tangible as a unicorn. There is no true definition nor evidence it actually exists. Only testimonials from runners. I debate they DO exist because I believe I have experienced them. that feeling like you can run forever, you’re at peace, and the sudden drop in mood when your run has to end.

(read more on the idea of runner’s high)

So when someone asks you if you’re crazy for heading on for a run during a blizzard, you can say it’s not your fault… blame science!

Have you ever experienced a runner’s high?

-Strider

The Stick

{ November 30, 2009 @ 2:51 pm } · { Uncategorized }
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Through-out track and cross-country in high school, my coaches always made us use “The Stick” after a work out or before a big race.

I know “the stick” is a very indistinct term, but I’m sure you’ve seen one before and probably even used one. That is the stick… and it works wonders.

The Stick is made out of plastic beads that roll as you massage it over your sore muscles. It compresses the muscle and disperses the lactic acid build up after a work out or run. In that sense, The Stick helps accelerate muscle recovery.

After I left high school, I had to buy a Stick of my own. It sits in my closet, and I generally use it about 3 or 4 times a week, especially when I my muscle knots get really bad. Its a quick and easy self-massage.

I use it mostly on my legs, but you can use it on your back, shoulders, neck, or arms. Sometimes, my room mate will rub my shoulders/ upper back with it because I carry a lot of tension there and get horrible knots. The stick would call this a “Trigger point,” and requires additional attention to work out the kinks.

You can buy the stick online, or any running store should have them.

I highly recommend every runner owns one. You’ll be amazed at the difference you feel in places you didn’t even know were carrying tension.

Keep Running
-Strider

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