Runner's high

rick_chasey

Anyone get pretty noticeable runner's high's after cycling?

I used to get really quite big ones after rides, especially in the summer.

Recently, I haven't felt it particularly, until this morning. Was grinning and giggling to myself like I was on E this morning for the first hour.

optimisticbiker

Yes! Maybe not like I used to get training for marathons, but some of the longer club rides have produced the goods. Even some commutes get me feeling zingy, tho normally i just feel good about myself

SimonAH

Interesting article here; http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/27/healt ... 7best.html

rick_chasey

I didn't realise that it wasn't conclusively proven or understood!

I figured it was standard - everyone got it? I was more surprised that i didn't get it for a bit and then went totally weird this morning.

Girlfriend always knows when I've cycle an hour before. Can't hide it.

meanredspider

Get it for sure - feel really great. I tend to ride pretty hard (threshold +) which may contribute to it. Running tends to give a higher HR

msmancunia

Every morning that I cycle in and don't get a headwind for 12 miles. My colleagues can always tell when I've cycled rather than PT'ed it in.

notsoblue

I don't get it after cycling as much as after running. Running for 30-45 mins makes me feel incredibly relaxed and happy (mostly because I've stopped).

FoldingJoe

Rick Chasey wrote:

I didn't realise that it wasn't conclusively proven or understood!

I figured it was standard - everyone got it? I was more surprised that i didn't get it for a bit and then went totally weird this morning.

Girlfriend always knows when I've cycle an hour before. Can't hide it.

Maybe you should wear more discreet trousers!!

rick_chasey

FoldingJoe wrote:

Rick Chasey wrote:

I didn't realise that it wasn't conclusively proven or understood!

I figured it was standard - everyone got it? I was more surprised that i didn't get it for a bit and then went totally weird this morning.

Girlfriend always knows when I've cycle an hour before. Can't hide it.

Maybe you should wear more discreet trousers!!

Haven't made any that can tackle it!

Woof!

mudcow007

one of the biggest highs ive ever had is doing the black runs in llandegla as fast as my "little" legs would take me

in fact i got so much of a buzz from it, when i got to the bottom of the run my legs were all wibbly wobberly an i had a grin as big as a cheshire cat (in a white range rover)

am i right in thinking its an endophin rush that creates the "Buzz"?

rick_chasey

mudcow007 wrote:

one of the biggest highs ive ever had is doing the black runs in llandegla as fast as my "little" legs would take me

in fact i got so much of a buzz from it, when i got to the bottom of the run my legs were all wibbly wobberly an i had a grin as big as a cheshire car (in a white range rover)

am i right in thinking its an endophin rush that creates the "Buzz"?

According to the above article posted, it's related.

Endorphins themselves are too big to pass from the blood to the brain, but other chemicals (apparently similar to the chemicals weed produces) enter the blood and pass into the brain.

bails87

mudcow007 wrote:

one of the biggest highs ive ever had is doing the black runs in llandegla as fast as my "little" legs would take me

in fact i got so much of a buzz from it, when i got to the bottom of the run my legs were all wibbly wobberly an i had a grin as big as a cheshire cat (in a white range rover)

am i right in thinking its an endophin rush that creates the "Buzz"?

Oddly enough, I did Llandegla black this weekend and had a similar thing. I quite often start laughing to myself when MTBing!

I enjoy my road commute too though, that quite often puts a big grin on my face as I'm swooping down country lanes.

Initialised

For those who have indulged I'd say it's more like MDMA, which causes a flood of serotonin in the brain and temporarily blocks re-uptake. Symptoms include: sweating, being overly-emotional, stupid grin, laughing, feeling connected, buzzing.

I don't get it that often commuting, needs to be a longer ride.

However, I used to be prone to depression but since getting back in the saddle it's cleared up so instead of using an SSRI like Prozac I am getting the same effect from twice daily commuting. I used to get withdrawal symptoms, feeling ratty and anxious if I didn't get a fix for a couple of days, less so now.

PedalPedant

Rick Chasey wrote:

Anyone get pretty noticeable runner's high's after cycling?

Nope, never have. I run, swim and cycle, my commute is pretty tame so I wouldn't expect it but I've thrashed myself to jelly (oo-er) on the bike as well as swimming and running and never experienced anything I'd call a high.

The only time I've felt anything remotely rush like is the adrenalin come down after a near smidsy.

Maybe I'm just immune .

PP

rick_chasey

Do you not even get a sense of calm, clarity and focus after a ride or run?

MonkeyMonster

Sometimes, haven't had it that big for a while but always good when you do - you come into work or house bouncing normally going "that was awesome". Alas its fairly normal on my commute to have some bellend being a crap driver which ruins the mood. Park laps in summer is pretty consistant for giving the grins.

PedalPedant

Rick Chasey wrote:

Do you not even get a sense of calm, clarity and focus after a ride or run?

Not that I've noticed, I'll quite often feel a sense of achievement but not anything different to when I achieve something non-physical so I can't see it's down to anything physiological.

As I say, maybe it's just the way I'm made.

PP