Ever heard of runner’s high? It’s described as a euphoric feeling experienced by some runners after running for a long period of time. It’s been described as a “runner’s high,” a brief, deeply relaxing state of euphoria.
According to Healthline’s article titled What Exactly Is A Runner’s High? written by Kimberly Holland, euphoria is a sense of extreme joy or delight. In this case, it occurs after intense or lengthy exercise. Often, people who experience a runner’s high also “report feeling less anxiety and pain immediately after their run.”
Running is a form of exercise that has been around forever and a lot of people tend to have a love-hate for, but we all know it offers numerous benefits both mentally and physically. Running is known to release endorphins, neurotransmitters produced by the body, that induce feelings of pleasure and euphoria. It’s our body’s natural way to help relieve pain. Although the intensity and duration vary on the runner, many have experienced it or have at least come close to it.
“It’s an adrenaline feeling of invincibility and the determination to go further without feeling fatigue,” said Patrick Corpuz, a Stockton-based runner.
Corpuz started running because of his enlisting in the military. He has found his way into the world of running marathons after he found himself running to build endurance for himself. His profound passion for running has led him to completing multiple marathons and experiencing his own runner’s high.
Due to his military experience, Corpus has been able to travel the world and participate in various marathons in different places, including Iceland. Corpus shared some insightful tips on how to overcome some of the challenges he has faced.
“This is where you learn self-motivation. You have to be the one to motivate yourself to run,” said Corpuz.
Jasmine Garcia, another runner from Stockton who goes on weekly runs by herself, described the feeling similar to feeling like you’re “on top of the world.” She didn’t describe it as easy, but ever since she ran her first and only marathon so far, she has managed to build endurance and a passion for it. Garcia said it’s her time where she lets go of her anxiety and distresses herself from everything else.
How does one deal with the difficulties of running though?
“Knowing that I’m strong, knowing I can continue going helps me remember that my mind is stronger than my body so I don’t let my emotions get the best of me,” said Jesus Lares, another Stockton-based runner.
Running is more than just an exercise. It signifies strength, endurance, dedication, and most importantly, passion. In recent years, running has evolved into something where people are able to build community. It’s where introverts can go to help become extroverts. It’s where people can discover inspiration and support within others. Where people let go of their anxiety and worries.
It’s one of the many new ways our generation goes out to meet others who share similar interests and are given the ability to network. People go create fun events that include the whole family and the best part of it is that it’s also promoting a healthy lifestyle.
“Running has helped bring a sense of community here in Stockton by helping bring people from all different paths in life together to bond over our shared passion for running,” said Lares.
Lares is a member of the Mile Chasers 209, a running club in Stockton. The group has weekly meetups where members train together and run marathons together.
Lares shared his thoughts on how it has helped bring people together.
He describes it as a place where multiple people with different professions can meet up, get together, and bond over the love of running. There he said he has managed to build meaningful connections with others in Stockton and has led them to doing more community events for the runners there. Not only do they train and run marathons together, but they also help create other events for the community, he said.
The Brewity Run, hosted by multiple running clubs from around the area such as Stockton and Lodi, was a 5k run followed by brew and pizza. The finish line was located right in front of Five Window Beer Co. where multiple people from various ages met up and socialized right after. There was even a brew challenge where people got in small teams of four and had to chug a cup of beer before having to run down the block and back for the next teammate to take their turn. Who knew running could sound so exciting?
