endorphin (noun) any group of hormones secreted within the brain and nervous system and having a number of physiological functions; peptides that activate the body’s opiate receptors, causing an analgesic effect

After I finish a run, there is a distinct feeling coursing through my body. Some call it endorphins, a runner’s high, adrenaline. Whichever way you describe it, the feeling is the same. My body is physically tired especially after a hard run or if it’s hot outside. It may be a contradiction but endorphins make my body feel good that it is tired.

A few years ago, I was running a hill workout with the runner’s club. Each week, I would add half a hill (equivalent of about a mile) more to the workout, eventually with the goal of making it the entire 7.5 mile workout. I’ll never forget one night in particular. I was running with my Mom and we decided to just go for it and run all the hills. About three quarters of the way into the run, I remember getting a distinct feeling that I was on auto pilot. All I remember thinking was “one foot in front of the other, run down the hill, run back up the hill, and repeat.” The workout was over, I was physically exhausted (in a good way) and an hour or two later I was still feeling great. It’s like I caught a second wind. The feeling superseded the physical experience I went through. And I wanted to do it all over again.