Runner's High

So there's this thing called the runner's high, which is described as:

"Another widely publicized effect of endorphin production is the so-called "runner's high", which is said to occur when strenuous exercise takes a person over a threshold that activates endorphin production. Endorphins are released during long, continuous workouts, when the level of intensity is between moderate and high, and breathing is difficult. This also corresponds with the time that muscles use up their stored glycogen and begin functioning with only oxygen...In recent years, the connection between the "Runner's High" phenomenon and endorphins has been severed completely. A study in 2004 by Georgia Tech found that Runner's High was likely triggered by a release of another naturally produced body chemical, the endocannabinoid anandamide. Anandamide is similar to the active chemical THC in Marijuana. The body produces this chemical to deal with prolonged stress and pain from strenuous exercise, similar to the original theory attached to endorphins."
(Thanks Wikipedia!)

Anyway, I think this weekend may have been my first runner's high! Now, let me clarify, I don't, by any stretch of the imagination, mean to imply that I was euphoric about what I was doing. I can admit, however, that somewhere between miles 8 and 10 I started feeling like I wasn't going to die, but could actually make it to the end without fear of losing my legs. This, to me, was an incredibly proud moment. I was running, and not hating life, and felt that I was setting a good example for my runmates who were struggling with the distance. I ran 14 miles and for about half of it, I felt really good about my running. Of course, it should only follow that my first running injury develop this weekend as well. After coming home to a drawn bath and two bags of ice waiting patiently for me to pour onto my muscles (ps: I have the best boyfriend on the face of the earth), I iced and showerd and then passed out for a 2 hour nap. This course of events led me to learn that passing out after a long run is just about the worst idea ever. I fell asleep without drinking a boatload of water, and without stretching after driving the 45 minutes back from the run site in Golden Gate Park. As a result, I was SO stiff when I woke up and felt SO nauseated from dehydration. I was miserable. And, to top it all off, when I took Bradley for a walk midday I noticed a VERY sharp pain in the outer sole of my right foot. Still the pain exists. It's not a constant pain, but it is a sharp piercing pain when I put weight on that part of my foot (this condition is still plaguing me). I spent the rest of the day (from 1pm onward) in bed drinking water and unable to move. Saturday was more of the same, although my nausea had subsided. So I stayed in bed most of the day nursing the aches with wine and tivo.

Now I'm at work, foot wrapped in an ace bandage, and ready to go home and lay down some more. The worst part about running all those miles? It just takes SO much out of you!

But, all things aside, I'm really proud of myself for doing this and for running more than I ever thought possible.