Addicted... to running?

[WayToTwilight]

I have for about a month and a half now been running everyday in the morning a couple hours before my classes. It's been really good for me and coincidentally I think I lost a bit of weight because jeans that were slightly tight on me before are now so loose that it makes walking uncomfortable since I keep stepping on them!

A weird side effect from running so much however is on days I don't run (because I decided to sleep in a little more)... my body feels tired. It's like I lose energy when I don't run, even for a day. This usually only lasts up until after my first class and after that I usually feel fine. But it's so weird, almost as if I was addicted to running. As soon as I run again, I feel fine.

I was just wondering if people have had the same experiences.

[David Hausladen]

I haven't had that experience, no. I have a couple thoughts, though.

One is that if you're sleeping a little later on non-running days, you might be waking up at a different part of the 90-minute sleep cycle. That could disrupt your body in a way that would reduce your energy at the start of the day.

The other, more likely, possibility is that rather than losing energy for not running, you're gaining energy when you run. Exercise does increase your body temperature during and for a little while after, so maybe the running gives you the energy boost to be awake and aware at the start of your day.

These are just theories; I hope they're useful or interesting to you.

[Andrew Michaels]

I run every day. Started about three years ago. I feel much better on days that I run. I don't know if <I>tired</I> is the word I'd use on the off days...more like slightly unstretched. Like my body is too tight.

[JeffS]

I have the same reaction on days I don't play tennis. A couple things that have helped a little bit: I do my stretching routine (not perfect, but it's something) on days I don't play, and as David mentioned, I try not to adjust my sleeping habits.

You probably know this, but despite the fact that your body may want you to be exercising every day, a day off (at the very least once per two weeks, much better is at least once per week) is key to your physical development.

[D.J.]

I started running a few months ago, but now i find it difficult as it´s very cold outside (below 10, sometimes even 5 degrees). What do you do when it´s this cold and actually the whole winter?

[Fortune]

Wear more clothes! Actually, several thin layers of clothing, including special insulating stuff. I actually prefer running in the winter over running in autumn. Low temperature doesn't bother me (I like it, even) but those nasty cold winds do.

And yes, running is addictive. My body longs for it.

[Theobinomy]

I feel the same way towards slacklining. I think it might be the rhythmic motion that our body finds to be so satisfying.

[Belle]

I find running addictive, too, although I don't think I've ever felt like I have less energy on the days when I don't run. But there's always that bit of yearning to be out there.

It gets too cold in the winter for me, too, so I end up on the treadmill, but it never feels the same as running outside.

[D.J.]

Originally Posted by Fortune

Wear more clothes!

Sorry, I did not point the problem - breathing. It´s very unpleasant breathing cold air. Do you have any solution to that?

[Daniel Terhorst]

Originally Posted by D.J.

Sorry, I did not point the problem - breathing. It´s very unpleasant breathing cold air.

My once upon a time karate instructor once told me that running or jogging when it's very cold outside is bad for the lungs.

I don't have an opinion on that, but if it's unpleasant, I wouldn't do it

-- Daniel Terhorst

[D.J.]

Originally Posted by Daniel Terhorst

My once upon a time karate instructor once told me that running or jogging when it's very cold outside is bad for the lungs.

That´s what I´m afraid of. The problem is that I´d love to exercise in the morning but my options are limited to a living room and outdoors (no I wouldn go to fitness center in the morning ). So I´m thinking what to do, before I get all lazy again

[Levent Okyay]

My first thought would be that: you're body may be releasing endorphins (depending on how far you push yourself, i.e. if the intensity of your running is high), which will give you a sort of high that is easy to get addicted to. However the addiction is not really physiological (but mental) and has no negative effects; I think it's simply an evolutionary function to help us like hard work.

Though, also, sleeping-in can make you tired, so don't do that; as others have said already.

I'm not really sure why you sleep-in in the first place if you end up feeling more tired. Is it simply the feeling at the time? (you don't feel like you want to get up?)

[stephn]

Originally Posted by D.J.

Sorry, I did not point the problem - breathing. It´s very unpleasant breathing cold air. Do you have any solution to that?

I've used a balaclava for many years. It's a lightweight full face mask. I've run in five degree temp (windchill down to -25, or so) and not had any trouble breathing. The face mask covers your mouth and warms the air when you breath in. You can wear a wool watch hat over it as an outer layer for your head and ears. You can find balaclavas at running, biking, or hiking stores.

[WayToTwilight]

Maybe sleep in wasn't the right word. I meant, if I decide I need more sleep before the next day, I'll skip running and "sleep in" that extra hour instead of running.

I actually like running in the cold... I don't get as hot and the heat generally makes me uncomfortable. I usually run around my neighborhood, which isn't very hilly, which is what I actually prefer. When I lived back in norcal, I lived near a park where it was really hilly and I always really liked running uphill.

Hrm... bad to run outside when it's cold? Maybe, I'll look it into that.

[Fortune]

Originally Posted by D.J.

Sorry, I did not point the problem - breathing. It´s very unpleasant breathing cold air. Do you have any solution to that?

I only have problems breathing when my chest gets wet, for example when running in the rain and your shirt begins to stick to your body. But there is special running underwear that prevents your body from getting wet and it also helps against the cold. As for breathing cold air -- I actually like it.

[Horizon'sEdge]

Originally Posted by WayToTwilight

I have for about a month and a half now been running everyday in the morning a couple hours before my classes. It's been really good for me and coincidentally I think I lost a bit of weight because jeans that were slightly tight on me before are now so loose that it makes walking uncomfortable since I keep stepping on them!

Be careful with your running, if you haven't done exercise on a daily basis for 2 or more years you should be taking break days for your body to repair itself.

I don't know anything about your physical health/distances run, but it is generally unwise to train so intensively without having a solid background of running behind you.

The body needs time to mend the micro-fractures in your muscles that occur when your run (this is how your body rebuilds stronger each time). Bones, tendons and joints also need a lot of time to strengthen (months/years) whereas bones take less time.

I'm glad that you're progressing well, but it is better to do this gradually and well and cultivate a long-term good habit, instead of going all out and crashing out at the end.

I'm happy to share any of experience from my 2 years of running.

[tropicality]

Originally Posted by D.J.

That´s what I´m afraid of. The problem is that I´d love to exercise in the morning but my options are limited to a living room and outdoors (no I wouldn go to fitness center in the morning ). So I´m thinking what to do, before I get all lazy again

Try out Tae-Bo or something similar, it is an excellent replacement of running during the winter season!

[CStrunk]

I think I remember somebody saying that your body gets addicted to the endorphin rush. I may be wrong, as Biology is not my major in college.

[Mitalp]

Originally Posted by WayToTwilight

I have for about a month and a half now been running everyday in the morning a couple hours before my classes. It's been really good for me and coincidentally I think I lost a bit of weight because jeans that were slightly tight on me before are now so loose that it makes walking uncomfortable since I keep stepping on them!

A weird side effect from running so much however is on days I don't run (because I decided to sleep in a little more)... my body feels tired. It's like I lose energy when I don't run, even for a day. This usually only lasts up until after my first class and after that I usually feel fine. But it's so weird, almost as if I was addicted to running. As soon as I run again, I feel fine.

I was just wondering if people have had the same experiences.

Try this. On the days you don't run, do your run mentally. Close your eyes and see yourself running the whole strech you usually run. I usually do a mental run every time before I run...it helps!

[Zulu]

Going completely on a limb here...

You may have subclinical hypothyroidism. The running revved up your metabolism and made you feel better. You feel less well when you don't run.

Or it could be psychological. I know I feel crummy when I don't train for a while.

[IBelieveInGod]

My husband is a type 1 diabetic and he's addicted to BMX cycling

He says it really helps him physically and emotionally to ride.

It's almost like a drug though, lol! Sometimes when he's been riding for several hours he comes home totally relaxed, tired and a little spacey