Aaron – Post workout at the NorCal Sectionals- March 2010

Runners get it, sometimes.  That’s the main thing I enjoyed about running when I was doing it more often.  Runners refer to it as “runner’s high”.  It’s the euphoric feeling you sometimes get after running.  It can last anywhere between a couple of minutes, to a couple of hours. 

First, a little background information on “the high”.  What exactly is taking place within the body, I’m not sure of.  What I have been able to determine is that it is not isolated to running.  Other forms of exercise can elicit the same feeling.  The common denominator is that the exercise needs to be something that can be performed at  a high intensity.  Running isn’t a bad choice because just about everyone knows how to do it.  The problem comes when the runs last more than 1-2 minutes at a time (which aside from track athletes, most peoples runs far exceed this length).  It is on the longer runs that the intensity drops off quite a bit.  Running is the exact same motion, performed over and over again, using only lower body muscles, for 20 minutes to 2 hours, eventually the leg muscles get fatigued and the intensity of the workout decreases.  This is where CrossFit workouts differ.  A workout containing several different exercises allows individuals to train at a much higher intensity, for a longer period of time, before reaching muscle fatigue.  Whether it be a combination of exercises, some more lower body dominant, some more upper, or just one movement that is complex and works the entire body, such as the Clean and Jerk, work output during a CrossFit workout can far exceed a run of equal time domain.  The result of training at this higher intensity is frequently experiencing the post workout “high” that can sometimes be elusive when running, and almost never compares in intensity to that of a full body CrossFit workout.

People start CrossFit for many reasons.  Lose weight, be more physically fit, longevity, improve job or recreational activity performance, or as a competitive outlet that is active and healthy.  What most people notice after doing it for a few weeks is how great they feel after the workouts, physically, but especially mentally,  how much they “crave” the workouts, and how they noticeably feel worse if they miss too many days in a row.  For some, including myself, this “high” (along with the mental challenges that take place during the workout) become the sole reason for doing CrossFit.  Despite the discomfort during, and immediately after the workout, the “high” in it’s most extreme cases can feel like a moment of extraordinary clarity and awareness of the present.  Lesser experiences may feel like an internal “cleanse”, to simply feel energized or invigorated similar to the effects of a cup of Peet’s coffee.  Morning workouts always leave me feeling accomplished, efficient, and the effects last the remainder of the day, being much more motivated and focused during work.  A general sense of well-being, which includes, optimistic thinking, heightened senses, and a general appreciation for nature and scenic beauty are other feelings I often continue to experience for hours after a workout.  The best part about it is that the workouts don’t have to take an hour or more, quite the contrary, workouts lasting 15 minutes or less are actually better for eliciting this response because workout intensity can be kept at a much higher level during these shorter workouts.  After feeling the powerful and addicting effects of the high I get from exercise, I often wonder if it is hardwired into our DNA to reward and encourage us to participate in something that is beneficial to us.  Or perhaps it’s our bodies way of dealing with strenuous work that can sometimes feel as though it may kill you.

I decided to write about this topic after a comment that Tammy recently made.  She had done a particular workout twice in the past, seeing big improvement the first time she repeated it.  This third time she did the workout she didn’t see a huge improvement compared to her previous.  Clearly in a much better mood, and more energized than when she arrived at the gym, Tammy said, “… at least I got my high!”  I immediately knew that although the group environment, and workout log are ways to help motivate her to go harder during the workouts, like me, it’s really all about the high. 

Post to comments your thoughts and experience with the post workout high.

________________________

Monday’s WOD:

15 Burpees

2 Rounds of:
15 Squat Cleans
15 Ring Dips

15 Burpees

results:

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