A Runner’s High

Hello folks!! Hope your summer is going well – although I’m sad that it’s almost over 😦 I start classes and my hospital internship in a week and although I’m looking forward to the experience and starting the last leg of my RD journey, I’m sad to see the summer end. I only managed 1 trip to the beach this year (pitiful I know) due to classes and work etc.

Anyway, this past week seemed more depressing than any other week during the summer …and I’m not quite sure why. Maybe it was the thought of summer ending, anxiety over my upcoming races, frustration….and/or probably also the fact that I was exhausted and my legs felt like lead all week long. In hindsight I should have a taken a couple of days off from working out – but the Type A personality in me refused to do so and still wanted to do some “easy swims” during the week. Anyway, suffice it to say that I didn’t run the entire week – and that may also have contributed to my pissiness. Well…I ran 6 miles today (granted I stopped twice to get water and stretch but I still did it)…and the pissiness has gone 🙂 Maybe it’s a runner’s high or maybe I just snapped out of it – but I firmly believe there’s truth in the “runner’s high.” I love all kinds of activities – swimming, biking, weight training, yoga….but the runner in me still loves a good run. There’s something about running that just makes me happy – and I don’t get that same feeling from cycling (maybe swimming)…but it’s hard to say. Anyway, long story short, I’ve been really slacking on my running lately and it shows. So it’s time to change that, especially with a stressful semester coming up. My goal is to run 3-4 times a week…short or long, doesn’t matter…just do it. I will probably be a healthier, happier, calmer and less pissier person for it 🙂

What activities help keep you calm and make you feel more centered? For some it’s yoga, meditation, or walking. For others, like me, it’s a mixture of running, swimming and yoga…