Running Addict - The High of the Long Run

 

There’s a special kind of person who wakes up at 4:30 AM on purpose to lace up their shoes, blast a curated Spotify playlist, and hit the pavement before the sun even yawns. We call them running addict—not because they’re chasing some kind of punishment, but because they’ve tapped into something the rest of the world hasn’t figured out yet: running isn’t just cardio; it’s therapy, meditation, dopamine, community, and rebellion all at once.

What Makes Someone a “Running Addict”?

Let’s get this straight—being a running addict doesn’t mean you’re unhealthy or obsessive. It’s about finding a rhythm in life, quite literally. It’s about discovering that your Running addict best ideas come at kilometer 7, or that post-run coffee somehow hits harder. For most running addicts, the addiction begins innocently: a fun 5K, a bet with a friend, a need to lose weight. But soon enough, it becomes a ritual.

The high is real. Runners talk about the infamous “runner’s high”, a state of euphoria triggered by endorphins and other feel-good chemicals released during prolonged aerobic exercise. Think of it as nature’s legal narcotic—except instead of side effects, you get stronger calves and better sleep.

The Psychology Behind It

Let’s be real—life is kind of chaotic. Between deadlines, breakups, and existential dread, running becomes a space to just be. Psychologically, running gives a sense of control in a world that’s all over the place. You can’t always control your job, your relationships, or what’s trending on TikTok, but you can control how far you run.

Moreover, runners often find solace in repetition and routine. Each step becomes a form of mindfulness. You don’t need an app to meditate when your feet are already drumming the rhythm of your thoughts.

Community in Motion

Running addicts aren’t always lone wolves either. In fact, there’s a massive subculture of runners who connect via Strava, Instagram, or local running clubs. There’s something comforting in seeing someone else crush a 10K before breakfast—it makes you want to do it too.

Especially in Indonesia’s urban landscape, running communities are becoming more visible, more organized, and dare we say it—more aesthetic. Whether it’s matching jerseys or neon hydration packs, running culture is thriving in ways that make even gym rats jealous.

Jakarta's Golden Triangle: Jalan Sudirman – Thamrin – GBK

If you’re a running addict in Jakarta, chances are you’ve done laps around the Jalan Sudirman - Thamrin - GBK loop more times than you care to admit. It’s iconic. There’s something magical about running down the city’s financial artery, flanked by skyscrapers and MRT tracks, while dodging traffic cones during Car Free Day.

The loop that starts from Sudirman, cuts through Thamrin, and wraps around Gelora Bung Karno (GBK) feels like the closest thing Jakarta has to New York’s Central Park. You get energy from the city itself—street vendors waking up, office lights flickering on, cyclists buzzing past you. It's urban poetry in motion.

At GBK, the vibe shifts: the stadium looms large, and the rubberized track beneath your feet almost dares you to go faster. Plus, if you're lucky, you might catch a sunrise that paints the buildings gold. That’s free therapy right there.

Loop Universitas Indonesia: Where Calm Meets Distance

If Jakarta’s core is about grit, then Loop Universitas Indonesia (UI) in Depok is about grace. UI’s campus offers an oasis for runners who prefer their oxygen clean and their trees tall. It’s a favorite among students, professors, and yes—seasoned running addicts who don’t even go there anymore but just can’t quit the vibe.

This loop, roughly 3-4 km depending on your route, is surrounded by lush greenery and tranquil lakes. You’ll find runners doing laps, couples power-walking, and the occasional squirrel trying to cross the path like a daredevil.

There’s an unspoken camaraderie here. Everyone nods at each other. No egos, no flex. Just humans moving through space, catching their breath between midterms and Monday meetings. It’s where you go to remember that running doesn’t always need to be fast—it just needs to be consistent.

Sentul – Babakan Madang – Jungle Land Loop: The Endurance Playground

If you’ve been running for a while and start craving that uphill burn, then Sentul - Babakan Madang - Jungle Land Loop is your mecca. Located just outside Jakarta, this loop is like a bootcamp for the soul. Rolling hills? Check. Steep climbs? Double check. Scenery that makes you question if you’re still on Earth? Triple check.

This route is not for the faint-hearted. But that’s exactly why running addicts love it. It’s where you go to test yourself, physically and mentally. Around kilometer 10, when the slope refuses to quit, you’ll meet your limits. And then push past them.

The best part? The community here is tight. People cheer each other on mid-run. Cyclists flash peace signs. Hikers give you that “you got this” smile. You leave this loop not just stronger, but part of a secret club of people who get high on the climb.

Pro tip: Hit the loop early in the morning. The mist still hugs the hills, the roads are relatively empty, and the coffee shops open just as you finish your cooldown. Reward unlocked.

BSD – AEON BSD – ICE BSD: The Suburban Sprint Circuit

For those based in South Tangerang, the BSD - AEON BSD - ICE BSD area offers an unexpectedly amazing playground for runners. Wide sidewalks, clean roads, and minimal elevation gain make it the perfect spot for speedwork, tempo runs, or chill jogs.

What makes BSD unique is the futuristic vibe. You’re basically running through a living city model—modern architecture, manicured landscapes, and the occasional Tesla rolling by. Starting from BSD City’s central park, many runners head toward AEON Mall (yes, that AEON), circle around, then loop back toward ICE BSD for a satisfying 8-10 km route.

Night running? Absolutely yes. This area is well-lit and generally safe. You’ll often find other night owls out doing their thing, especially after 7 PM when the weather cools down.

The “Extra” Side of Running Addicts

Here’s the thing about running addicts—we can be a little extra. Some of us have playlists broken down by pace (140 BPM for 5K, 160 for sprints). Others track their VO2 max like it’s stock market data. We talk about shoes the way car guys talk about engines.

Nike or Hoka? Carbon plates or old-school soles? Hydration vests or handhelds? It’s a lifestyle. But it’s also a kind of love language. Every piece of gear tells a story—of a hill conquered, a race PR’d, a rainy morning braved.

And yes, don’t be surprised if we invite you to a “fun run” that somehow turns into a 21K with 200m elevation gain. Sorry, not sorry.

Running and Identity: More Than Just Movement

Running is more than exercise; it’s an identity. It’s how some of us cope, how we celebrate, how we heal. For many millennials and Gen Zs navigating mental health, job insecurity, and life’s general messiness, running is one of the few constants.

It’s something we own. In a gig economy where careers change fast and relationships fizzle, we still have our mileage. No one can take that from us. Every kilometer logged is proof that we showed up—for ourselves.

We run when we’re happy. We run when we’re heartbroken. We run to music, to podcasts, to silence. We run because we can. And sometimes, that’s enough.

Final Lap: The Long Run is Life

To non-runners, we might look intense, even obsessed. But to running addicts, this isn’t just a hobby—it’s a lifeline. Whether we’re pounding pavement on Jalan Sudirman – Thamrin – GBK, circling the quiet paths at Loop Universitas Indonesia, pushing limits on the Sentul – Babakan Madang – Jungle Land Loop, or sprinting through the modern lanes of BSD – AEON BSD – ICE BSD, we’re doing more than just logging miles.

We’re chasing clarity. We’re running toward better versions of ourselves. And honestly? We wouldn’t have it any other way. Running addict.

So the next time you see someone drenched in sweat at 6 AM, grinning like they just found the meaning of life—they probably did.

They’re just a running addict. And proud of it.

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