..you are addicted to "The Runner's High"

Hi my name is Aine and I am an addict. Though I think this is one addiction I'm not going to fight! I think most runners can agree with me that whether your long run is 6miles or 16miles while out on the trail/road each pound into the ground can be tough! You're sweating with enough salt for a large portion of chips coming from your face. Climbing that hill at mile 11 you sound like a tennis player with each step. And just when you think you haven't an ounce of breath left you reach home. Then one of the greatest feelings rushes over you! The feeling that yes you did it! You ran that crazy distance and didn't die! Well that's what it's like for me. I get so happy and won't stop talking if there's someone near me. I may look like a gross sweaty red tomato but at that moment it's all about the power you didn't know you had to keep going and achieve that mileage goal you wanted for the week!

So getting back to running not the high. I have ran a bit this week. I started with a nice 4miler on Tuesday to stretch everything out and get my speed up. I've begun to do my long runs during the week so I can actually enjoy my weekend without passing up on every alcohol opportunity or late dinner due to the "long run I have in the morning". I began this a couple weeks back when my mileage was lower so I am used to now getting back from my long run, a quick 5min pat on my back, stretch, shower and back out the door to do my days work. I do crash about 8pm but that's normal really and allows me to run when it's less busy and plan my weekends! So this week it was the turn of 12miles take 2! There was one little minor detail about this run....I did go for 2 cocktails the night before but carb loaded with www.runnersworld.co.uk fettuccine alfredo and 2 pints of water before bed. Out I headed at about 8am to pound the ground. The run went really well. Felt I was going at a nice pace. Stretched an extra .6miles (Garmin you aren't my friend when you tell me it was only .3miles.....) and headed for that dreaded hill at mile 11 with a better pace! It was hot! But I felt great. Managed it all in 1hour and 48mins and 30secs. Big whoop!! I am hoping to keep this up for Prague coz that would mean breaking my PB. Fingers crossed no injury or slip up! 


This morning I woke up at 6.30am thinking it was Saturday and turned over and went back to sleep coz I didn't need to run on Saturday. 20mins later I woke realising I actually hadn't done Friday yet so up I got and pulled on my running gear. 3.2miles later in a respectable 8.40min/mile pace I was back in the door grinning from ear to ear. The slight aches I had walking out the door 25mins before were loosened up and feeling good. I read somewhere that recovery runs don't do much for you...I think they are great to be honest. I think they really loosen you up and fix any aches that may have come about from your long run the day before! I do love recovery running!

To finish my week I have a 5miler to do on Sunday which will leave me with one more week of long runs before tapering!! 3weeks tomorrow I will know if all this hard work has paid off....until then, enjoy your high!! :)