Getting my second wind

In my exercise physiology class, someone asked an interesting question: What causes a person to get their second wind? The professor didn't know, but suggested that endorphins may have something to do with it. Here's what wikipedia had to say:

Second wind is a phenomenon in distance running, such as marathons or road running (as well as other sports), whereby an athlete who is too out of breath and tired to continue suddenly finds the strength to press on at top performance with less exertion. The feeling may be similar to that of a "runner's high", the most obvious difference being that the runner's high occurs after the race is over. Some scientists believe the second wind to be a result of the body finding the proper balance of oxygen to counteract the buildup of lactic acid in the muscles. Others claim second winds are due to endorphin production, while still others believe it to be purely psychological.

Documented experiences of the second wind go back at least 100 years, when it was taken to be a commonly held fact of exercise. The phenomenon has come to be used as a metaphor for continuing on with renewed energy past the point thought to be one's prime, whether in other sports, careers, or life in general.

Getting a second wind is a perfect metaphor for what happened to me after I got completely burned out with school. It happened to me my junior year of college. I was so tired of the constant studying and the grind of classes that I seriously considered taking a year off and getting a job. (I couldn't do that though because I would have lost my scholarships). But I remember thinking that I couldn't stand to go to grad school right after college. I was just worn out and ready to be done with school.

However, now that I'm here in PT school, I feel like I've gotten my second wind. I have a renewed energy for studying and learning. Although it's definitely not easy, I've found that I really enjoy what I'm learning in this program. I don't know if it's because I have a goal in mind, or because I've found a field that I like, or maybe I just had to go through some depressing days before I could truly enjoy what I'm doing now. Whatever it is, I've hit my stride now, and I'm happy with where I'm headed. :)