Trying to find time in college to exercise is a challenge and I have found through trial (and a lot of error) that you have to put exercising as a priority if you want to stay in shape. A runner myself, the runner’s high has always been my drug of choice, even though running usually gets a pretty bad rap. You’ve probably heard of a “runner’s high” but aren’t quite sure if it’s legal or not. Don’t worry, it’s not a drug, even though it may feel like one. A runner’s high is the feeling during, at the end or after a run when the endorphins kick in and you have that strange sense that you are somehow equivalent to Usain Bolt. You’re on cloud nine and nothing can touch you; you’re the best runner in the entire world.
Okay, this may sound ridiculous and a little presumptuous, but trust me, it’s a real thing. You may be asking, “Well, how do I achieve this excellent feeling?” This is easy, go for a run! People throw shade at runners all the time, but I think it is just because they haven’t discovered the incredible sport of running. If you’re completely unaware of how to begin, start slow! There is nothing worse than not being able to run because of shin splints or a sore muscle. So, run two miles after your regular workout, two times a week. This will get those muscles moving in a different way than the bike or other cardio machines will.
Courtesy: flrunners.com
Another big tip for beginner runners is to run outside! Let’s be real, who actually likes running laps on the indoor track at the Leach? Come on people, it’s 10 LAPS for ONE MILE. No one has the mental or emotional stability to handle this level of repetition. Florida State is such a beautiful campus to run on and you’ll find that it’s so fun to explore with a running buddy and a bomb playlist. You can also make a mini road trip of it and run at the Apalachee Regional Park! If you’re not familiar with this, it’s the FSU cross country course that anyone can run at (if they aren’t having a race).
Once you get into the swing of it by running three-to-four times a week, just wait for the runner’s high to hit you in the face; it will happen unexpectedly. You’ll be striding along Gaines Street, looking fly AF in your new Asics and you’ll feel it. The endorphins will kick in and you’ll feel like you’re about to win the Boston Marathon. However, take your time, it won’t come immediately. You have to suffer a little in order to receive the magic that running offers. Running is a sport that you have to learn to love. Nevertheless, always remember when you first feel that runner’s high that I told you so.