Gloom or buzz?

I've noticed after running that sometimes I'm on a high, other times I can feel quite down and gloomy. This has never happened to me before, I always feel up after any exercise. I've noticed the times I feel up are the times I've pushed it a little, for example when I've done the C25k+ podcasts. I'm wondering if this is to do with heart rate, maybe I'm kinda in the wrong zone with my slow distance running... I don't have a heart rate monitor, I usually take my pulse at the end of a length when swimming with that big clock! Anyone got any info on this?

[GettingFitter Graduate]

No real info but I do have a heart rate monitor and there is info about training in heart rate zones all over see brianmac.co.uk/hrm1.htm there are lots of ways of calculating max heart rate. I don't know why they don't say run as fast as you can and see what the maximum you get to is as that must be my maximum. Interesting that max heart rate can differ if you run on a treadmill versus outdoors. Runnersworld.co.uk has some calculators as well

[Bazza1234 Graduate in reply to GettingFitter]

Well actually -No. My understanding is that only a very highly trained elite athlete will ever hit their max HR and people like me will probably only ever reach 90% with evev the most extreme exertion. I think that i have proved this to myself

[GettingFitter Graduate in reply to Bazza1234]

So I am 52 my Garmin has recorded my Max HR as 185, my old Polar HRM max recorded was 189 are you saying my max is higher than this as I don't think it is and I wouldn't consider myself to be elite

[Bazza1234 Graduate in reply to GettingFitter]

No - perhaps these high readings are instantaneous spikes. I see them when I have run very hard and suddenly slow to a walk. My understanding is thzt even elites can only maintain their max HR for 1 to two minutes and less fit people will onlt get to perhaps 90%of max HR before being forced to stop.

[GettingFitter Graduate in reply to Bazza1234]

No it was high for quite a while although I did feel like collapsing several times

[Slookie Graduate]

I don't know either but wonder if it has to do with them endorphins. The more you exercise, the fitter you get, the less effort it takes means they don't come out to play until you reach a certain level of exertion? Maybe like any addiction - takes more and more of the thing to release the hit. Not an expert on addiction either, just btw

[Hidden in reply to Slookie]

i am with you Slookie , having stopped one addiction and replaced it with running

[MarlyParly Graduate]

The physical side about the endorphin release is an interesting theory. I wonder also if part of it could be psychological - you don't feel that 'up' every time because you have set yourself (even unconciously) a particular standard, and if you don't feel you've it you feel a bit guilty/disappointed... Who knows! In the meantime, maybe some changes might help, route, different running programme/podcasts, new tunes, etc..? Wishing you more happy runs!!!! x

[AncientMum Graduate]

I think Slookie could be on to something with her endorphin theory. Perhaps you could try running to some really upbeat music to help your mood on your long run.

[Hidden]

I've Googled this, is seems it's quite common. Probably down to not eating or drinking enough. I'll try to address those and see what happens!