The feel good factor of running

Out of bed, out the door and on to the road or trail. We all are familiar with this routine or something similar. We do this all for the feel good factor associated with being outdoors as our prehistoric ancestors were. Out there in the open we come together once again with the primitive beings that we once were.

By reconnecting with the earth we are able to reenergise our bodies and minds and channel this positive energy into the rest of our lives. This flows through into our workplaces and sets the feel good factor to high for the rest of the day.

Exercise is the most effective way of producing serotonin levels in our brains and hence why we become hooked on our morning run rain or shine. The flow on factors of having energy through the day are really worth the effort. This has been most notable for me over the past week due to the fact that I am plagued with a tendon issue on left ankle. I notice that although I am still positive about life, the level of serotonin just is not up there.

Who would have thought that such a small area of tissue could cause a measure of discomfort? It is only about 3cm long and in the most obscure place imaginable on the inner ankle. I also wonder why something like this did not happen when I was running really heavy weeks of mileage in Comrades training earlier this year. The physio explained that she thinks I just came back too early into training and should have had more total rest. Yeah right – try telling that to us lot.

Now I am listening to what the physio has said and will not be pushing too hard in the coming weeks – may even sit out City to Surf altogether if it persists. I hope this will not be the case as I always enjoy the event even though I will have to run from the green pack this year due to the faster start being sold out in advance.

For all of you running today – may you live life and love on the run. – Sean Muller