The Running Thread - 2019

[DopeyBadger]

QOTD: Have you ever experienced a runners high? If so, what was the situation?

Absolutely. I equate a "runners high" to when running seems suddenly effortless whether it be a training run or race. In most cases for me, that feeling comes when I'm "peaking" in physical shape on the training cycle. Sometimes it lines up with race day, and sometimes unfortunately (or not) it happens on a training run in the weeks prior. My 2015 October marathon when I first broke 4 hours was a definite runner's high as I set near a 5k PR during miles 19-22, 10k PR during the latter miles, and HM PR during the entire second half of the race. That winter I did a HM which nearly replicated everything by PR'ing nearly every distance from 200m through HM during the race. My 2018 Dopey 10k was another one. Training runs don't usually stick out as much, but I did have a blind M Tempo in December 2017 where I felt like I couldn't be stopped when running 6:40s.

 

[bananabean]

ATQOTD: Nope. Sadly, no runners high for me. Mostly I just feel fine then on to tired/sore and then afterwards I get an exercise headache.

 

[camaker]

ATTQOTD: I experienced the runner’s high during my first marathon. About halfway through, I got a wave of euphoria that carried me through to the end of the race. I’ve been chasing that feeling ever since, but it’s been elusive.

 

[jmasgat]

ATTQOTD: No runner's high for me. Do I sometimes just truly enjoy the feeling of being out for a run? Yes. Do I ever finish a race pleased with my performance? Yes. But the typical definition of runner's high--a sensation while running of effortless ease/in the zone, etc. Nope.

 

[Kazrak]

QOTD: Since we are starting the list for January races with the hot race of the month being Marathon weekend at WDW, I wanted to ask where are your favorite places to take photos with your medals post race?

At this point, it seems to be traditional for me to visit a Photopass photographer in front of Everest in Animal Kingdom. (Meaning, I've done it twice in a row.) But generally I'll go hit every Photopass photographer I can find.

 

[OldSlowGoofyGuy]

ATTQOTD: No runner's high for me. I've had great races and great training runs, but nothing that would count as a wave of euphoria.

 

[run.minnie.miles]

ATTQOTD: I can distinctly remember 1 run in college where I felt like I could run forever- such a great feeling. As far as races go, I had such a great marathon experience, it was a different kind of high!

 

[michigandergirl]

What a great weekend this past Star Wars run where I was able to meet a few people from here

It was you! I couldn't remember who else I had chatted with the morning of the 10K. Nice to meet you!


If anyone is interested, I just finished up a Disney/Star Wars trip report (5 parts) over in my training journal, starting on this page.
https://www.disboards.com/threads/running-in-the-mitten-beyond.3725915/page-7

 

[steph0808]

Runners High - Nothing really stands out for me, except for a 7k last August. I finally hit a pace below 8 minutes/mile for an entire race - I ran an average of 7:57 (I think) for that race, and I only wished it had been a 10k because I know I could have kept going and ran sub-50:00!

 

[Sleepless Knight]

QOTD: Have you ever experienced a runners high? If so, what was the situation?

ATTQOTD: Yes. During the 2019 Walt Disney World Marathon. Or at least I think it was a runners high. Somewhere around mile 20 or so I hit the wall and it was a fight to the finish. I kept going because I wanted it and knew it was within reach. The heat beat down upon me. I detested the taste of water, powerade, and just about anything, but knew I needed to continue taking them. I arrived in Epcot and knew I was good so long as I kept moving. I stopped for a non-alcholic tropical fruit smoothie in Morocco. It possessed the virtue of being icy cold as opposed to as cold as the faithful volunteers could keep the water and powerade in the heat. Shortly thereafter "Let's Go Fly a Kite" from Mary Poppins came over the PA system and I actually began to sing along quietly so as to preserve my energy. I felt like I was actually flying.

So that was either a runners high. Or I was hallucinating.

 

[canglim52]

ATTQOTD: lol YES!!! I get a runners high on every run. It makes me get really amped post run, and the harder runs change its effects. Like a short one is more like a cup of coffee vs a long hard run is just magical euphoria! I’m sad for those of you who don’t get to experience the runners high... I wish I knew how to teach it lol

 

[michigandergirl]

ATTQOTD: I have experienced what I would consider a true runner's high only a couple of times. Both times it was on a long training run. The best I can describe it is an effortless feeling where you are so happy to be outside running and a feeling like you could run forever, a feeling of being so ALIVE.

 

[AntimonyER]

ATTQOTD: I seem to get a runner's high every time I run a race. Just being around other people with the same enjoyment of running as me, running with them, everything feels so much easier and more enjoyable. As a result, I am always running faster than a comparable training run with the same perceived effort.

So pretty excited about the weather forecast for my last race of the season on Saturday. 55F and relatively low humidity is the current prediction for the start of the race. Great running weather.

 

[jennamfeo]

ATTQOTD: I guess I never realized that there was an actual definition to "runner's high". I have had some really amazing runs where I felt like I could run forever. But nothing beats that feeling at the end of a race when you know you just did the "impossible". Regardless of if you PR or not, you completed something most people won't even attempt. And that feeling (along with an ice cold beer) is enough for me. Whether it's an actual runner's high, I don't know. But it's a pretty perfect feeling to me.

 

[steph0808]

ATTQOTD: Yes. During the 2019 Walt Disney World Marathon. Or at least I think it was a runners high. Somewhere around mile 20 or so I hit the wall and it was a fight to the finish. I kept going because I wanted it and knew it was within reach. The heat beat down upon me. I detested the taste of water, powerade, and just about anything, but knew I needed to continue taking them. I arrived in Epcot and knew I was good so long as I kept moving. I stopped for a non-alcholic tropical fruit smoothie in Morocco. It possessed the virtue of being icy cold as opposed to as cold as the faithful volunteers could keep the water and powerade in the heat. Shortly thereafter "Let's Go Fly a Kite" from Mary Poppins came over the PA system and I actually began to sing along quietly so as to preserve my energy. I felt like I was actually flying.

So that was either a runners high. Or I was hallucinating.

This is one of the reasons I really want to pick the marathon in 2020 - coming into Epcot, hearing "Let's Go Fly a Kite," "How Far I'll Go" and something else as I ran around the world showcase, it was simply magical. That was a runner's high to me as well. I might have spread my arms and pretended to fly.

 

[KevM]

ATTQOTD: No, I don’t think I’ve ever gotten a true runner’s high. I’ve had runs/races where I felt great but I don’t think any of them were true runner highs.

@LSUlakes for my run last Saturday, Philly Rabbit Run 5K, my time was 27:33. Also while I still have the second half of the year to give for races, I’ll jump ahead to Jan. 2020.

1/9/20 - KevM - WDW 5K (Dopey) (NG/NA)
1/10/20 - KevM - WDW 10K (Dopey) (NG/NA)
1/11/20 - KevM - WDW Half-Marathon (Dopey) (NG/NA)
1/12/20 - KevM - WDW Marathon (Dopey) (NG/NA)

I’m going to hold off on goals until it’s closer to these races.

 

[baxter24]

Yesterday’s QOTD: I try to get a pic of myself in front of the castle with my medals if I can.

Today’s question: I’ve experienced only been once that I can remember. It was my last long run for Dopey. It was a 20 mile run and I just remember feeling really good despite the fact that I had done 2.5, 5, and 10 miles the days before.

 

[Sleepless Knight]

This is one of the reasons I really want to pick the marathon in 2020 - coming into Epcot, hearing "Let's Go Fly a Kite," "How Far I'll Go" and something else as I ran around the world showcase, it was simply magical. That was a runner's high to me as well. I might have spread my arms and pretended to fly.

My little sister will never look at the "We Can Do It" song from Cinderella where the mice sew her dress the same way again because that's what was playing in Epcot as she began to understand that she would finish the marathon.

Likewise, before the marathon I was not the biggest fan of Happily Ever After. While I thought it was a tremendous pyrotechnics show, it never really tugged on the heartstrings for me because much of its music came from movies that didn't resonate with me. But hearing Go The Distance the night after the marathon while proudly wearing my Dopey medal caused me to see that show in a very different light.

 

[KSellers88]

ATTQOTD: I've experienced it during a few really good training runs, some 5ks and 10ks, and during my half marathon PR last April. I have yet to experience it during a marathon, LOL. The best one was probably during Wine and Dine half 2018. I felt absolutely amazing during that race and love running in the rain, so that probably had something to do with it.

 

[flav]

Yes, at the finish of my first half (W and D 2017), it was surreal, and the reason I am now addicted

First Half and first Dopey twinsies!