Even those relatively new to running can experience the sensation
Champaign, IL--- Even though many elite runners, especially those of the long-distance variety, are skeptical of what running pundits call the "runner's high," the sensation can actually be fairly common. Former Runner's World executive editor Rich Benyo argues that runner's high can be achieved as early as two months into a running program.
Among the many topics addressed in the forthcoming Timeless Running Wisdom (Human Kinetics, December 2010), Benyo discusses how, while not rare, runner's high (or "sweet running") must still be actively sought, or at least be prepared for actively on a physical level. "When the elements of training and effort intersect and the training has been just slightly more ambitious than the effort requires, the effort becomes, for a moment or for an hour, effortless," he says. "The myriad training levels involved in running--physical, mental, spiritual--blend in a seemingly cosmic recipe and you, the runner, are one with the run."
Benyo also believes that many runners experience sweet running on their own. "Any runner who has trained vigorously and wisely for a marathon and who leaves the starting line conservatively usually experiences a 'sweet spot' between miles 7 and 16, once the deep muscles are warmed up, the rhythm of running has established itself, and the weariness of running very long distances has not yet arrived."
He cautions, however, that many marathoners ruin their marathons during that period of experiencing a runner's high by mistakenly assuming that they somehow trained beyond the perfect level, only to then proceed to outrun their fine-tuning in a greedy effort to take advantage of prowess that, at least that day, is not present in such abundance.
"Like the human body itself, which becomes more efficient the more you use it, running becomes sweeter the more you integrate it into your life," says Benyo. "The wisdom comes in allowing that to happen. Relax in your running and allow your own wisdom to sweeten the whole process."
For more information on Timeless Running Wisdom or other running books, visit www.HumanKinetics.com or call 800-747-4457.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Timeless Running Wisdom
by Rich Benyo
Available December 2010 -- Paperback -- Approx. 200 pp
ISBN 978-0-7360-9934-9 --· $16.95
Ebook ISBN 978-0-7360-9973-8
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Rich Benyo is a veteran runner who has competed in distance races from 400 meters to ultramarathons for more than 30 years. He has also completed 37 marathons. Named Journalist of the Year by the Road Runners Club of America, he is the former executive editor of Runner's World Magazine and Anderson World Books, Inc., and is currently the editor of Marathon & Beyond magazine. Benyo has written 22 books on running, health, and fitness, including Running Past 50 and Running Encyclopedia. He was inducted into Running USA's Hall of Champions in 2005 and currently resides in Forestville, California, where he enjoys sailing when he's not running or writing.
CONTENTS
Chapter 1: Embrace Simplicity
Chapter 2: Tap the Athlete (Kathrine Switzer)
Chapter 3: Keep It in Proportion (Amby Burfoot)
Chapter 4: Maintain a Journal (Joe Henderson)
Chapter 5: Take the Measure of Yourself: Race
Chapter 6: Race Different (and Even Weird) Distances
Chapter 7: Eschew Racing (Dick Beardsley)
Chapter 8: Train Specifically (Mel Williams)
Chapter 9: Don't Ignore Other Body Parts (Joan Benoit)
Chapter 10: Run With a Plan
Chapter 11: Run By Feel
Chapter 12: Move Up in Mileage
Chapter 13: Move Down in Mileage
Chapter 14: Create Adventure Runs (Dean Karnazes)
Chapter 15: Run Under Control
Chapter 16: Run Wild (Lorrain Moller)
Chapter 17: Rest (Marshall Ulrich)
Chapter 18: Run Alone
Chapter 19: Run Together (Bill Rodgers)
Chapter 20: Join a Club
Chapter 21: Volunteer (Allan Steinfeld)
Chapter 22: Spectate
Chapter 23: Study Runners and Running (Roger Robinson)
Chapter 24: Teach Others to Run
Chapter 25: Start Over
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