The real reason for the grin on your run

I have a confession to make — I’m one of those yokels who can’t stop grinning during the race. I may contain the beaming smile with effort until the siren goes off. I may even put on the constipated frown and try to pass it for the expression of concentration while in the starting corral, but as soon as I’m in motion my face gets a life of its own.

Admittedly, if you see me at around 30th kilometer of the same race, my face would tell you a completely different story, one of great pain and suffering, struggle and near-madness. But, move on a few more kilometres to the finish line and you’ll see the grin again.

Deena Kastor, an Olympic bronze medalist and American marathon record-holder, also has the winning smile on her face when she runs. In a recent interview with the Runner Academy podcast she talked about a race in which she struggled with the crippling side stitch. She tried all the tricks in the book to get rid of it, but it persisted, making her suffer and grimace in pain while she ran. Then she passed a group of fans who made her laugh with their funny sign and cheers. The moment the smile lit her face, the blasted stitch lessened its grip and she was soon able to overcome it. Analyzing her race afterward, she concluded that the smile must have conveyed to her brain that she’s happy, and that triggered a release of endorphins which helped her overcome the pain.

I never paid much attention during chemistry classes, but Deena’s comment peaked my curiosity and, with a little help from Google, I soon learned about the correlation between smiles, happiness and running.

We all know about the runner’s high, the blissful state of mind and body when everything seems effortless. You also may know that the cause for that smile is the release of endorphins in the brain.

Endorphins are the brain chemicals which fall in the category of neurotransmitters. They transmit electrical signals within the nervous system. The release of endorphin is most commonly triggered by stress and pain. When we’re hurt, endorphin interacts with opiate receptors in the brain to dull the pain, in a similar way painkiller drugs do, like morphine and codeine. Other than pain, the trigger to release endorphin can also be strenuous exercises, like distance running. The logical conclusion is that the more we run, the happier we feel, thanks to endorphins and the runner’s high.

However, it works in the opposite direction too. Deena was right; putting a smile on your face can signal the brain that you’re happy, and it will give you the additional shot of endorphin, to reward you for this unwarranted happiness. (Note to self: must remember to smile through the tears next time I hit the 30 kms mark!)

Furthermore, running entices production of antibodies. When bacteria, virus or other unwanted intruder attacks our organism, antibodies rush to the point of breached security and attach themselves to the foreign cells, practically arresting them and waiting until immune system sends its SWAT team of T-cells, also called the “killer cells” to destroy the invader.

Happy people are more resistant to the diseases than stressed and anxious people. Their bodies produce up to 50 percent more antibodies than the downers do. However, exercise can boost the production of antibodies up to 300 per cent. And that may be why, while everyone arounds you sneezes and coughs, you may be the only one untouched by cold. So, keep clocking those miles. It keeps us more resistant to illness.

Well I hope I laid down a passable explanation for that silly grin on my face. If you see me running by you in such state, don’t judge me harshly. Join in the run yourself and it’ll make you happy too!