CATCH-UP CORNER.. End of JULY...Weekend chat..... - Couch to 5K

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CATCH-UP CORNER.. End of JULY...Weekend chat.... Please, come on in and share:)

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate
27 Replies

Hello everyone !

Here I am...here you are, heading towards the final weekend of July...

The cushions need a good shake and will be getting a really good airing over the weekend, ready for a brand new month!

Hoping a few folk will pop in and let us know how the week has gone. It has certainly been a lot cooler, certainly here in North Wales. We have missed a few folk this month!

I would normally, have had some glorious runs here, but life had other plans and the runs didn't happen.

But... ( yes, there is always a. BUT, with me) ! Just because the runs did not happen, did not mean that all movement had to stop. I have, as many of you know, in past posts extolled the virtues of our strength and stamina work...we need to keep our whole running body working beautifully, not just the legs!

I have kept moving... and alongside the normal, ( although slightly easier), strength and stamina routine... managed a day in the Welsh mountains with some lovely friends, ( found right here on the forums), rock scrambling , chatting, laughing, picnicking and simply soaking up the wonderful clear Welsh air.

Back from that outing, senses filled and reeling from the sights, sounds , smells and sensations of the day, I felt, completely high... high on life!

Which, in turn got me thinking.... and led to my ramble today... ( Oh gosh....not another)!

One of the things, ( amongst others), that I as an Admin' on here, notice with some regularity is a question that our new runners ask? They ask it usually, after about Week 6 or 7.... sometimes towards the end of the nine week plan and even as new Graduates...and the question is,

“ When will I get the Runner's high) ?

Okay... what exactly is it? Well... one definition is;

“A runner's high is a brief, deeply relaxing state of euphoria. Euphoria is a sense of extreme joy or delight. In this case, it occurs after running”.

This begs the question then, .. wow.... where can I get some of that?

Well... the straight answer is... not everyone gets it... !

In fact surveys suggest that, the number of athletes feeling it is not a lot! Many runners feeling hot, tired and not at all blissful, particularly after really intense running!

And, the feeling is different for individuals...ranging from, deep satisfaction, a glow from head to toe, a feeling of effortlessness, of energy, power and accomplishment.

Now that sounds amazing.... doesn't it?

But... ( yes, here is another);

The not so amazing news is that new runners are less likely to feel the legendary Runner's High until they have been running for a lot longer !

The more experienced runner is more likely to get that feeling, and apparently long distance runners too !

BUT...( not another one) !

You do not have to have a Runner's High to succeed in your running, benefit from your running and have an absolutely amazing time when you are running.

The feeling that you get or that you are hoping to get. is all about some very long words!

Really long words like...endocannabinoids, ( told you). Basically, happy chemicals, not just endorphins but a whole bunch of things all flying around our body and giving us a really good feeling, even after the shortest and maybe the slowest run.

Now, this IS great news for so, so many of us.

Starting out, returning to running, getting back after illness or injury; and this is why I read so many times, that folk have just had to put on their running shoes, head out the door and after the shortest time, and the shortest distance, those happy feelings start whizzing around, encouraging them to do it again, go a little further, try a little harder

That my friends has got to be the best bit!

You just lace up your shoes, keep following the plan and as you move forward,

You can feel free to chase that Runner's High... or just run for pure enjoyment... and see what happens !

So, slip off the running shoes... get a glass of pure cold water and sit a while. We are ready to hear how this last week has gone and how things are with you.

Oldfloss x

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Oldfloss
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27 Replies
MrsLydiaWickham profile image
MrsLydiaWickhamGraduate

Glad to hear you have had such an enjoyable time with friends Oldfloss . I'm dabbling with the speed/stamina/stepstone podcasts at the moment and enjoying reading everyone's posts. Happy running everyone.

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate in reply toMrsLydiaWickham

They are great fun.... I particularly enjoyed stamina...!Yes... a lovely meet up in a beautiful location !

Enjoy those runs!

LiisaM profile image
LiisaMGraduate

Oh, my! You do have the most interesting topics! I have felt a little high while running--but never after running (at which time I am tired and ready to resume life on the couch! The most "high" I have experienced, however, is while dancing. I used to dance at dances of where music from many nationalities would be played.

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate in reply toLiisaM

... and that is perfect! The high that is spoken of, often occurs in the run or exercise itself... like a wave sweeping over the person!It is not only just a runner's prerogative it does come form exercise and your dancing would give you the same feeling!

I would love to see you dancing to all the different music... maybe that could be incorporated into your strength and stamina exercise...? if you have time

🤣😉x

LiisaM profile image
LiisaMGraduate in reply toOldfloss

Dear OF, I have not danced for over 40 years because life events got in the way. I took international dancing in college and loved it. There were various groups that were doing this dancing in my area of the world--just for fun. It was great--I especially liked the line dancing. (For example, Greek or Macedonian. ) I would need the music now and sadly I no longer have access to it....

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate in reply toLiisaM

Well... you will just have to download some music and dance around the kitchen! Maybe join in with the Wednesday Wiggle next week :) x

Dendev75 profile image
Dendev75Graduate

Your day out in the mountains sounds perfect ☺️I’m yet to experience runners high but I feel extremely proud after each run (which keeps me happy all day)

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate in reply toDendev75

Which, I feel is what it is all about... that feeling of well being? It maybe an early run that gets us off to a brilliant start, lift our day with a run popped in or end our day, with feelings of well being and satisfaction.

I do think that maybe, for many of us, that is enough!

Well done you!

This is where we were!

Welsh wonder
Dendev75 profile image
Dendev75Graduate in reply toOldfloss

Yes it’s definitely good enough for me ☺️That looks so pretty 😍

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate in reply toDendev75

It is the most stunning area, even at lower levels, the views, the twists and turns from gentle lowlands, to the dramatic upland tops... I have known it since I was 11... and am still finding new places and beauty in every step!

Chinkoflight profile image
Chinkoflight

Parkrun 4 today, very humid run in 39.39 (my time!). BUT a BIG SHOUT OUT for Sixfields Upton Parkrun racking up #150 runs today. Thank you all the volunteers. The high for me was just coming up to the farm, a wicked 1% gradient for about 40 metres! 😂

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate in reply toChinkoflight

Just fabulous! What an achievement!!! Well done you...literally riding high!

M0use profile image
M0useGraduate

Your day in the mountains sounds fabulous. No runners high for me but once I get into my rhythm I always feel very peaceful.

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate in reply toM0use

I think for many of us...that counts as our own high...peaceful, calm and satisfied...

Sounds much better to me than a fleeting moment of euphoria.

It is beginning to show through replies that we experience our own sensations....but, unlike a high...they seem to last through the day?

Well done you x

Hedgehogs123 profile image
Hedgehogs123Graduate

love your posts! Yep, I really do want to know where my runners high has gone, I had it and then covid took it. So there was l, thinking by the end of July, Id be over covid and back to where I was, but atlast no, my breathing is still not there, and I'm struggling to enjoy my running again because it feels like a real challenge every time I go out. But I'm determined to get back there.Then on Tuesday this week I had a fall on fall when out with the community running group and doing a very quick pace 10Km. Just didn't see the raised pavement and wack, fell forward, hands, elbows, knees and ribs all grazed and full of grit! However, we were 3 miles into the run and I got picked up by the guys running with me and then I continued running and completed the 10km. I suffered the next morning, bruises where I didn't think I could have a bruise!! So clumsy!!

So this morning at Parkrun, on top of still struggling to get control of my breathing, my knees still hurt and my time was almost 2 minute slower than when I had covid. I know its patience, but that's one thing I am definitely not good at!!!

🤕

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate in reply toHedgehogs123

Oh gosh! Sometimes these things all seem to pile up and just when you think there is a clear path! Wham!

You have really gone through some tough times and a fall can really knock us back!

I don't think clumsy comes into it... they are accidental... that's all , but often, so very painful!

I feel sometimes that after things like this we are, maybe subconsciously holding ourselves tightly... expectations of discomfort or twinges?

I know I am !

Have you tried just a really slow and steady, no distance or speed in mind, jogette..and what about using a guided run..

I seem over the last months to have been , not running and then coming back. that i have used the NRC guided runs to just get me out there with support being whispered into my ears, every time!

The Tough day Easy run and the Comeback run work for me!!

It will come... but I do know what you mean about patience! x

Hedgehogs123 profile image
Hedgehogs123Graduate in reply toOldfloss

thank you, everything you say makes sense, I just need to have a word with myself and not expect too much. Yes, think a few doses of Coach Bennett will definitely help! I love this forum, so much support, motivation and wisdom. Thanks again x👏

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate in reply toHedgehogs123

You arevery welcome.. it is so good to know we have each other to support us. Keeps me going !

nowster profile image
nowsterGraduate

I have never in the last two years experienced a runner's high either.

I'm dabbling with a Garmin 10km training plan at the moment to see if it will get me running a little faster. I'm in two minds about it. What it's scheduled for the week ahead is pretty much four days of exactly the same run.

Glad to hear you had an outing with TailChaser and Katnap . I saw them this morning at parkrun.

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate in reply tonowster

Maybe not strictly speaking but, a lot of your posts do a reflect a deep satisfaction on many of your runs... and maybe , as discussed in other folk's replies. the mystical, legendary Runner's High manifests itself in very personal ways.

Yes, good to get a day out rock-scrambling up in the hills..and good to get a meet up, just a pity that the PR did not happen as planned, weather and tides and timings....

But, thank goodness. the runs do wait!

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate

Shout outs this wet and soggy morning... to a few folk who I have missed this week..Mum22boys Hidden Greenthorn , Mumpark grumpyoldgirl Katprid Hidden slipstick Tetleyteagirl

Heading into Summer and hoping all is well!

MissUnderstanding profile image
MissUnderstandingAdministratorOn a breakGraduate

Lovely post. I always enjoy reading your thoughts Oldfloss .

Interesting thinking about the runner’s high. Most of mine have come at the end of runs where I’ve completed a new distance (I remember dancing in country lane when I first hit 10km!) or if I’ve been running intervals. Now I’m doing so much more easy running, there’s much less of that pure elation on finishing but I don’t think that’s a problem. There have been some lovely times when everything has come together and I’m running fluently and that’s felt great though.

It’s been a good week here. Because of how the days have fallen, I’ve actually run 11km twice (last Sunday and yesterday). New PBs for both without trying at all. The plan is definitely paying off. I was dubious that so much slow running would make me faster but it has! I had a hideous interval speed run this week that felt awful pretty much from start to finish but when I looked at the stats afterwards, it was a great run. No high there-just relief!

LottieMW profile image
LottieMWGraduate

Lovely thoughts Oldfloss 🥰

Here’s some of mine…that moment on a run when there are no niggles or heavy breathing…and you feel that you can go on forever…

…or afterwards…that ok burn in your legs as you stretch…and that feeling of pride of a run well run 😊

Sadly, not every time…but then you need the rough with the smooth and the lows to appreciate the highs. And there’s always the potential of the next run to look forward to.

Happy running 🥰🏃🏻‍♀️🐌

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate in reply toLottieMW

Just fabulous! A real mix of runs and running feelings

grumpyoldgirl profile image
grumpyoldgirlGraduate

Hi Floss I'm still here but haven't run for a week or so, because I wanted to give my ankle time to recover. It's nearly, but not quite, there. It definitely suffered from the lack of support in my summer sandals in this hot weather - although the runs haven't been the problem. Very frustrating but better safe than sorry. Zumba in the morning though!

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate in reply togrumpyoldgirl

Hope Zumba went well ?

grumpyoldgirl profile image
grumpyoldgirlGraduate in reply toOldfloss

Yes it did - fabulous start to the day. Once I've dragged myself over there😂

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