Endorphins

Last time I used keystrokes to write something, I started with “Animal spirits” This time round wish to blabber about “getting a high”. Runners High as I am made to believe is a reality. Never knew that until hindsight made me realize that. Endorphin akin to morphine (based on research) provides runners a feel good factor during endurance runs primarily. Phenomenon is not just limited to runners, but can be seen in other sports too, albeit sometimes in team sports.

Looking back I can now realize how I received this “kick” unknowingly in the past. “Yours truly” in hindsight though now understands this natural “brain chemical” which our body produces better. I can cite 3 different instances, albeit not all can be constituted as endurance or endorphin releasing runs.

In 2013 advent of summer in Hannover, an adrenaline rush happened resulting in registration for B2 run. Events and setup for this run were established in another run which I completed “huffing and puffing” some weeks back prior to B2 run! All decked up with my iPod and running gear I reached the designated spot with running mates. Rain gods spewed in all fury while music revved the atmosphere.

All drenched up, for a moment I thought of quitting, but then soaked in the atmosphere. Out went iPod and running strategy this time round revolved around keeping pace slow to conserve energy in finishing! Bravado of last race was history. Experience from last time taught me to compete with faster and fitter athletes! Huffing and puffing with a running mate, reached half way mark as a laggard. Finish line seemed distant; elderly people, women and even kids out-ran me!

That’s when instead of stopping, catching breath I picked pace. No pit stops this time around! Pride at stake and ego at its zenith, ran for my life. Went faster, out-ran many people. Soaking conditions did not make it a good run, but still I guess “Endorphins” had set in. There was no pain, just ran and ran. Timing was still not so competitive (not worth mentioning, take a clue!), but after the race, had more energy to run another race. Though i twisted my ankle post the race is another story!

There is no great glory I guess in taking a ride in a bus. But at some places in India, to catch public transport one needs to out-pace several others, jostle; push to find a place to sit for a 2-3 hour road journey! An evening post monsoon season, near Delhi at a bus depot an impending holiday for “Festival of Lights” with easily a company of 1000 odd people waiting for a bus was the setting. Low visibility, path being muddy and uneven as well carrying a heavy rucksack from work (school bag riddance has not happened for me till date) compounded my misery. Missing the next bus would have meant waiting for few hours or finding an expensive transport to home that night.

Bus drivers being smart, instead of parking at bus depot and getting lynched, stopped good 300 or 400 meters away. Out of one corner of my eye, I and several other intelligent people saw a bus at the turn! Not even knowing whether it went to my destination, we all made a dash! Was it Adrenalin rush or the good old “endorphin” I will never know, but I ran for my life. Can’t remember running that fast in a long time. Out-pacing several others and leaping into the bus, fighting my way in to grab a seat somehow. That feeling of elation and running hard despite being breathless reminds of the much wanted “chemical”.

Going back into history in the 20th century, Y2K problem was still around and I was still in my intermediate class. National Cadet Corps happened to me. Yes, it happened to me as I left computer science as a subject for Physical Education! My esteemed teacher motivated me to take NCC course as an extra-curricular activity. It was good fun, sometimes hard with training on a Saturday or Sunday in distinct attire and an equally distinct cap!

All was well, till the “camp” happened. It was supposed to be mandatory for completing the NCC course and towards certification. In the grind of cold and foggy winter I bravely enrolled with my kindergarten friend. Horrors of waking at 4 in the morning, taking bath in cold water, losing way in dark, night curfew and living in an open site miles away from human habitation were some of the perks in the camp!

Training was intensive, with every one 5-8 km runs part of the schedule. First 2-3 days were the toughest. As the soothsayer would say, then “endorphins” set in. Each time the trainer said 5-8 km in morning, I would start running like there was no end! Guess “chemical” was at work. No inhibition, just run became the motto to the chagrin of my fellow camp-mates. Surviving their wrath and agreeing with trainers for running more did not get me many friends surely:)

All in all I am yet to completely decipher this high giving “chemical”. Potentially I have experienced this many a times. My bag of events and stories is huge. Hopefully, I will someday become part of the exalted company of runners. Till then try and experience miCoach. Let the Endorphins flow and Get a high:)